Total distance walked – 16.6 Km
Breakfast in our hotel in San Gimignano was delicious and we had an amazing view, too! Indulged in an extra cappuccino this morning! We had a final exploration of some of the shops and side streets on our way out. As we exited the walls of the town, the day-trippers were exiting their buses and walking in large groups with their tour leaders.
Again, we had a beautiful look back to San Gimignano as we descended on a quiet road. Soon we were again on trails through vineyards, forests and small streams to cross. We came across a property that offered refreshments for those walking the Via Francigena. We stopped to support this kind, friendly man by purchasing drinks (my 3rd cappuccino of the day). He spoke little English but we conversed the best we could with Dagmar’s knowledge of German and French and lots of hand gestures and smiles. A group of young German women stopped by. They were camping and carrying full backpacks and equipment. And there were two young men sitting at a table. A few minutes after they left, we discovered a pair of walking poles they had forgotten, but decided it was best to leave them rather than chance that we would not see them on the path. We bid a fond farewell to our host and continued on our way. About 10 minutes along the path, one of the young men was running toward us. We confirmed that his poles were where he left them. He passed us again a while later…still running, poles in hand.
The path continued through the trees, across another stream, past a local cemetery, then through a residential area where a school bus passed us and all the children waved! Arriving in Colle Val d’Elsa we walked through the gates of the walled old town which dates back to the 4th century BC. Too early to check in to our accommodation, we explored the town and sat in an area overlooking the Elsa River to eat some lunch. After a little more exploring of the town we were able to check in.
I was staying in a small guest house with a lovely view. The others were just a couple blocks away. I made myself a cup of tea in the kitchen next to my room (each floor had one) and put my feet up for a while. About an hour later, the rain started….and the thunder and lightning…and it lasted most of the night.
We agreed to meet for dinner, but not much was open on a Monday night. I borrowed an umbrella to run down the street to their hotel. Torrential rains and more lightning. I put the umbrella down and just used the hood on my coat! Luckily there was a pizza restaurant next to their hotel, so that’s where we went for dinner…and it was very good! After, I ran back to the guest house and settled in for the night with the storm raging outside. Honestly, I have never experienced so much thunder and lightning in one night!
