We woke this morning to a drizzling rain, not at all what we wanted when it was our first real day of walking but after breakfast it was clearing. Breakfast is an art form in Italian hotels. Even the smaller ones have a wonderful display. The Hotel San Miniato was spectacular, and delicious too.
We left our luggage to be transported for us and set out with our day packs. The obligatory selfie was duly taken (but not to my liking) so we have a photo of the sign!
The trail was well marked, the flowers plentiful and the scenery magic. We came upon interesting things - a first aid box, a book for pilgrims to sign, shrines and even a squirrel nesting box.
Unfortunately there are no seats so our first snack break was taken standing up.
Lessons in olive pruning. Ours at home should be afraid, very afraid!
The paths vary a lot from roads to 4WD tracks, narrow tracks through long grass to formed pathways. All fun, until the rain started. We quickly went from spray jackets and coats to plastic ponchos. Olive trees don't provide much protection so we were quite wet and also quite hot under plastic. When it wasn't raining the weather was very pleasant, but cloudy.
No images of the mud but believe me, the sticky grey clay was all over the new shoes, the socks and up to the knees in splashes. At one point we were pulling ourselves along a farm fence and clinging to shrubs and cypress trees. Kel was sure that he was inches taller.
Seven hours and 22 kilometres later we arrived at Tenuta Sant' Ilario, out of Gambasse Terme. The final few kilometres were the killer, I arrived at reception gasping.
Dinner was included today and what a lovely treat that was. A beautiful in-house restaurant in a garden setting, friendly staff, complimentary prosecco, parmesan toasts with a savoury mousse and two types of home baked bread. I had a superb wild boar dish cooked in Vernaccia wine with fruits and Tuscan flavours. Kel had a local pici pasta with a rabbit ragù. Local wines complimented the dishes. Of course I couldn't pass on panna cotta with Chianti pears, nor Kel on a 'most delicious' tiramisù.
A lovely end to a somewhat challenging day. Thank you RAW Travel for clever planning.
Internet connection is not always good in the country, especially down in the valleys, so this post is late. Then sometimes a pausa seems more important.
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