Linda Scandore

• #6 Colle di Val d’Elsa / Vieri’s home – Monteriggioni  Via Francigena Day 5 Travel Day 24)
• Time: 5 hours 30 minutes / 6.5 miles (73.3 total) / 500’ elevation gained
• Weather 55-80° / mix of sun and clouds 5-10 mph

Monteriggioni is a perfectly picturesque medieval fortress with fourteen towers.  It currently was hosting a Medieval Festival filling the  fortress with period costumed entertainers and an enthusiastic audience. Each tried to outdo the other in volume. My room overlooks Piazza Romana the center of the performances and the loudest entertainment. Perfection slipped.

• #6 Colle di Val d’Elsa / Vieri’s home – Monteriggioni  Via Francigena Day 5 Travel Day 24)
• Time: 5 hours 30 minutes / 6.5 miles (73.3 total) / 500’ elevation gained
• Weather 55-80° / mix of sun and clouds 5-10 mph

A quick hello and goodbye to Rebecca and Vieri who provided gracious hospitality in their home. At Vieri’s suggestion I walked for an hour along land his family has owned for generations. Serendipitously the road merged with the Via Francigena. 

• #5 San Gimignano – Colle di Val d’Elsa / Vieri’s home Via Francigena Day 5 Travel Day 24)
• Time: 5 hours 30 minutes / 11.3 miles (66.8 total) / 950’ elevation gained
• Weather 55-80° / sunny & winds 5-10 mph

Michele is an old school Camino Pilgrim. He’s not seen at cafés, hotels, or restaurants along the way.  He frequents Pilgrim hostels that don’t charge fix prices but asks for donations. Tent camping is one of his option.  Keep it simple.  Be less needy. 

• #5 San Gimignano – Colle di Val d’Elsa / Vieri’s home Via Francigena Day 5 (Travel Day 24)
• Time: 5 hours 30 minutes / 11.3 miles (66.8 total) / 950’ elevation gained
• Weather 55-80° / sunny & winds 5-10 mph

Things are sorted out. What to unpack after a walk which is only 10% of what I packed. What to carry in my backpack during the day’s walk…water, food, mini medical bag, charger. Weighing the risk of starting the day with clean walking clothes or wet washed walking clothes. 

• #4 Gambassi Terme – San Gimignano Via Francigena Day 4 Travel Day 23)
• Time: 5 hours 30 minutes / 9.5 miles (55.5 total) / 1,255’  elevation gained
• Weather 55-85° / partly cloudy & winds 5-10 mph

Learn as you go.  Food fuels energy. Yet too much food makes you sluggish.  At the end of a day’s walk it’s a tough call between eating and taking off shoes.

• #4 Gambassi Terme – San Gimignano Via Francigena Day 4 Travel Day 23)
• Time: 5 hours 30 minutes / 9.5 miles (55.5 total) / 1,255’  elevation gained
• Weather 55-85° / partly cloudy & winds 5-10 mph

This is Tuscany of my dreams. This is why I walk.

• #3 San Miniato – Gambassi Terme Via Francigena Day 3 Travel Day 22)
• Time: 7 hours 45 minutes / 14.5 miles (46 total) / 1,174’  elevation gained
• Weather 55-85° / partly cloudy & winds 5-10 mph

Three landscapes separated by ten minutes of walking.

• #3 San Miniato – Gambassi Terme Via Francigena Day 3 (Travel Day 22)
• Time: 7 hours 45 minutes / 15.5 miles (45.2 total) / 1,174’ elevation gained
• Weather 55-85° / partly cloudy & winds 5-10 mph

An early morning start in hopes of avoiding the heat and sunshine.  Nothing heard but the sound of roosters. 

• #2 Altopascio – San Miniato: Via Francigena Day 2 (Travel Day 21)
• Time: 8 hours / 18 miles (30.7 total) / 1,900’  elevation gained
• Weather 55-85° / sunshine and clouds mixed & winds 5-10 mph

It’s always about the people.

• #2 Altopascio – San Miniato: Via Francigena Day 2 (Travel Day 21)
• Time: 8 hours / 18 miles (30.7 total) / 1,900’  elevation gained
• Weather 55-85° / sunshine and clouds mixed & winds 5-10 mph

A long walk got longer at 11am when the sun shines increased and shade decreased.