No idea how long DJ Theo continued with his set. Needless to say he didn't keep me awake. When I woke up around 6h, it was 29 degrees in my room. Luckily, there was airco. I turned it on and slept for 2 more hours.
Today, my stage was only 13km so I could take my time. Was it raining like the forecast had predicted? I opened the window and saw only blue sky. The bad weather hadn't made it to Tuscany yet. First challenge of the day was to find breakfast. I found a little grocery shop open just around the corner. I was looking around when the owner started rushing me. Coffee, coffee, he said. I was like take it easy man, I'm fine without coffee. But he meant I had to hurry because he wanted to go drink a coffee on the Piazza Roma. How bizarre was that? I took what I needed. When I paid, a Dutch family with 2 children came in. Ai ai ai my coffee, said the man. I thought I was in some kind of hidden camera. Are you pilgrim, he asked. When I said yes, he gave me some bread for free. It was so hard, knock it on somebody's head and the person is dead. Euh, thank you I suppose. After breakfast and packing my backpack, I went to the central Piazza Roma. Street wipers were cleaning up the mess from yesterday and old men were discussing the spectacular weekend. In a meanwhile, clouds had come in and the wind was blowing like crazy. When I saw the croissants in café central, I couldn't resist and took one for the road with an espresso. Then it was really time to go. Via the piazza castello, I walked out of Gambassi Terme and down the hill. First dangerously along a road, then along a quiet gravel track. Tuscany is stunning with its rolling hills. The landscape was more green than yesterday with lots of vineyards. Flies have been annoying in the last two days, but they don't bite and today they struggled in the strong winds. After the descent came a new climb. I took a break halfway and looking back, I could still see the village of Gambassi Terme on top of a hill. Wineries along the path try to lure people in. Free toilet if you buy expensive wine. I let this offer for what it was. After 7km, I came back on a road in the village of Pancole. The people living here have stunning views. In the village, there is a sanctuary after virgin mary would have appeared here to a deaf mute girl. Fascinating is also a cave under the church where you can see life-sized characters of the nativity. I had lunch under the porch of the church. The wind was blowing so hard that I had to keep an eye on all my gear if I didn't want to see it blown away in the Tuscan hills. What did I eat? Tuna salad, my favourite. Back underway and a climb on the road followed. At the top, I could see my destination for the first time: San Gimignano, a jewel of medieval architecture with 15 towers. At a certain moment, there were 72 towers, just unbelievable. But first, I had to finish my walk. The path climbed even steeper to the monastry of Bose. The little roman church was an oasis of peace and quiet. Monks still live here, but they were nowhere to be seen. The last stretch to San Gimignano is along a busy road used by tourists to get to the village. Big signs with flashlights indicate walkers on the road. Some people are carefull, but some drive like crazy. There is no sidewalk, so you have to walk on the road against traffic at any time ready to jump in the ditch if a driver is again not paying attention or doing crazy stuff. One driver made me jump to the side when he overtook in a blind bend. I was happy to reach the roundabout at the bottom of the village alive. The climb into San Gimignano can be done on a sidewalk. Just when I entered the medieval center via the Porta San Matteo, it started dripping. I went straight to my B&B and arrived at 17h. The friendly owner gave me a tour, my room was really nice under the roof. I didn't stay long, because I wanted to have a look in this unique village. I collected a stamp in the tourist office and bought a 5 euro ticket to visit the Duomo. The rain had cleared but it was only 18 degrees. I hadn't felt that for a long time. The duomo is stunning, a festival of black and white marble with stunning frescoes on all walls. I sat down and gave my eyes the time to take it all in. Behind the duomo is a parc that can be easily missed. It is a must, because you get amazing views over the towers and the surrounding hills. The village is a tourist place with lots of people and even more souvenir shops. There was one place I really wanted to go even if I had to wait in the line: gelateria dondoli. They are world famous and would have the best icecream you can buy on this planet. I have to say, it is good. Evening fell, tourists went home and birds starting circling the towers. What a magical place. I stopped at the supermarket and went back to my room for a quiet evening. It started raining outside. Two more days to Siena! Tomorrow, I will walk 23km and sleep in an abbaye. Hopefully without too much rain.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy name is Dimitri and I'm turning 40 in 2023. Through the years, I have tried to live my dreams. Everything is possible, the sky is the limit as long as you believe in your dreams and work hard to make them happen. Do what you never did before. Go where you have never been before. It will be scary, but it will also be worth it! Archives
July 2024
Categories |