Monteriggioni to Siena

October 2 (my birthday!)

Today is my birthday, the number of which some may know but its not young. I feel younger than many people I know of a similar age which is why I keep walking…

Today I will walk alone. Suzanne’s legs are bothering her and we both agreed that in order to keep this adventure going, she should take a break, not feel bad about it, and rest her body for a couple of days. We have a rest day in Siena so hopefully she can get the rest and find what she needs there.

This meant that I meandered out of our hostel at 7 am, just in time to enjoy some early morning light and find my way back onto the trail. As I was walking in the first part of the morning, I was glad Sue didn’t join me, not because I don’t love her company, but rather because there were many more ups than downs. At days end I climbed the equivalent of 125 flights of stairs.

A special fountain at the foot of the town

View of Monteriggioni from the other side

The morning trail before the mud

So Suzanne took the local bus which meant she had to climb back down the very steep hill we climbed yesterday to the roundabout and wait for an unknown bus to drop her off at an unknown (to her) destination and find our hotel. I knew that was a big ask for her, but I screen printed hotel and bus information, and off she went. I knew she could do it even if she was nervous, and it was a good exercise in confidence-building for her. I think she was pretty excited to see me cross the piazza in front of her and wave hello. I spent 6.25 hours walking 13 miles and was very happy to have arrived!

The walk today was through some forested areas, some clay pathways that, with the rain the previous night, made my shoes feel 5 pounds heavy. I was really happy when that trail ended. There were some old towers. It is really great that there is some historical information at each of these unique sites.

There was a lovely little spot with a fountain, tables and chairs and a stamp for my credential. Everything was wet so I didn’t linger, but I did stamp my credential. I liked that there was an offer to ring #13 and there might be an opportunity for coffee, etc. but I was trying to hurry to get into Siena, so I did not try that.

A few more forested milesand then I was on the road. The road wasn’t terrible because it wasn’t busy, but there was not a lot of shoulder. I kept watching for the Via signs and finally found one off the road.

Soon Siena was in sight, and I would be there shortly. Oh wait, there are more hills to climb before arrival.

I climbed my way up the road into the walled area of Siena, checked my map and found Suzanne at the local gelato place. I grabbed a cappuccino and a fruit covered dessert and sat down to enjoy the fact that we both arrived safely via different modes of transportation, and we were both happy and ready to celebrate the day and evening.

We found our hotel, checked in, and napped for a while showers and as dressed up as one can get on a pilgrimage walk, and out to dinner we went. Even though I knew the food might not be the most delicious if we ate in Piazza del Campo, simply because you pay for the opportunity to be in the square. I wanted the atmosphere almost more than the best food. No guarantees on the food, but the atmosphere is easy to find.

The del Campo piazza is beautiful of course, so large and grand. We each had a glass of rosso vino to celebrate my birthday, and then ordered pasta and steak with potatoes. I love the bags of bread you are given at the start of each meal. Simple but effective!