Today we reached a number of milestones!!
As per the guide data: Aosta to Rome is 978 kms.
At the end of today we have completed 656kms, or 2/3 of the way.
We have caught public transport for 135 kms; and a taxi for 19 kms.
So we have now completed 502 kms of via Francigena on foot – as per the guide distances. An average of 18 kms per walking day.
322 kms still to go.
As per Stepz, since starting on the walk:
Today we passed 1,000,000 steps.
And we have walked 664 kms including all days since we started walking (i.e. Sightseeing days as well).
This day also takes us back to the point of discovery of the via Francigena. On January 7th 2014 we completed a day walk from Certaldo to San Gimignano. We came across this sign indicating a turn off from the road. On that day we followed the same route from here. While waiting for the bus to leave San Gimignano i read the information board, and, as they say, the rest is history.
The day starts cloudy but it is high and we have our destination in sight from the very start – we can see the towers of San Gimignano from the breakfast room of the B&B. It starts cool and probably gets to a maximum of 11-12 deg which is all good for walking. San Gimignano is only 13.5 kms away. As the following stage to Monteriggioni is very long (31 kms) we decide to make a start into that, finishing 2 kms past San Gimignano tonight.
There are a few ups and downs in those kms but the day is on sealed or unsealed road. Although we lose sight for a time of our destination there are rolling hills, olive trees and grape vines and hills of forest in autumn colours. The last few kms are on the road into town – ok to walk: Not super busy and good shoulder.
We arrive early afternoon and soon find gelati. We visit the duomo with its amazing frescoes.
There’s no restaurant near our hotel for the night so we grab some supplies for picnic dinner and wander out. The light has been dull today and it seems to be getting quite dark soon after 4 pm.
During our wandering of the streets we seem to attract quite a bit of attention. Must be my fine pellegrina style.
We have a very comfy spot for the night and eat our tuna panini and fruit plus red wine.
Still 322 kms to go.
Richo and DC 