11th July 2017

11th July 2017

Sienna to Ponte d'Arbia - 26kms

Last night in Sienna we went to bed at 9:00pm as usual. Almost immediately a jazz band that we had heard practicing earlier in the afternoon, started up and did not finish for a couple of hours at least. This morning we woke up at 3:45am and we're out the door at 4:45am after having some coffee.

Today was a very pleasant walk. A long walk to leave the city and then over nice gravel paths heading for Isola d'Arbia where we stopped for coffee and croissants!
The rest of the day was along country paths. At one point we were walking along a ridge with beautiful views of the countryside on both sides. Lots of sunflowers everywhere.

The highlight today was visiting Grancia di Cuna a rare example of a fortified farmhouse that remains almost intact today. Very interesting!

Along the way we met Daniel from Switzerland. He brought greetings from our Brazilian friend Carina, with whom he had been walking! We were then joined by two New Zealanders, friends of Bernie and Michele, who recognised us immediately from the description they had been given by them. We also met a family of four Belgians. Everyone then passed us as we walk more slowly! 

After that we continued cross-country and ended up walking alongside a railway line for a lot of kms! It was getting hotter and hotter and we were glad when we finally arrived at Ponte d'Arbia. Tonight we sleep in the Cultural Centre there which has a pilgrim refuge. The plan is to arrange a communal dinner for 11 of us. The Belgian contingent are cooking. I'm buying the wine (no comments please).

Tomorrow we go to San Quirico d'Orcia.