13th July 2017

13th July 2017

San Quirico D'Orcia to Gallina - 17kms

Last night we said goodbye to Daniel. He will be staying in Bagno Vignole chilling out for a couple of days before meeting his wife who is coming to join him on Saturday. But as one leaves another comes and yesterday we met a very nice Italian lady Simonetta who is walking on her own for the first time and who is joining up with her husband also on Saturday. This morning we met up with her and walked part of the morning together. At one point we came across a woman tending a beautiful garden in the village of Vignole Alto, which boasts a very interesting tower.

The highlight of the morning was visiting the thermal baths at Bagno Vignoli. We were looking to have some breakfast but all the bars and cafes were still closed. Luckily a very nice hotel allowed us to use their facilities. Coffee at last!

Our friend Mark Randall (he of Gibraltar to Jerusalem fame!) had told me about a thermal bath in the area which one could also visit. After searching for it for about 15 minutes we found it. Very impressive! There we found a Danish family about to take a plunge. We decided not to as the day was very hot and we did not want to delay.

After that we continued on our way until we got to about seven kms from Gallina. From there there are two possible routes to follow. One goes cross country and is constantly going up and down the hills. The other goes on the road, which is much flatter and is nearly four kms shorter. Notwithstanding the severe heat (there is no shade on the road) we decided to take this latter option as the constant up and down on mainly gravel paths is causing me severe discomfort in my left knee. Simonetta opted for the longer way as she does not like walking on the road (neither do we really!) but we promised to meet up later.

Ana Maria and I had lunch in Gallina and Simonetta joined us later. She is staying in a B&B about 2 kms from ours so tomorrow we shall meet up again.

Tomorrow is a very difficult day. We need to go to Radicofani some 17kms away. The problem is it is perched on top of a hill and it is unrelentingly uphill ALL the way! I shall need a lot of TLC when we get to the top!