Another Day, Another Camino

That’s pasta, not candy!

Via Francigena #18 of 20

San Gimignano to Montireggioni

Today the story is in the photos. If you prefer words, here is a brief synopsis:

We walked up and down hills, got hot and sweated like crazy, saw beautiful country side, encountered ravenous mosquitoes, bumped into people we keep bumping into, met charming locals. Wash, rinse, repeat.

See below for some of my favorite shots with longer commentary, including more boneyard shots.

©Theresa Elliott, All Rights Reserved

I call these type of crypts “U Village Style.”

Even though the sun cast the mausoleum in shadow, it made for a dramatic shot.

Endless rows.

Across the road is a modern mausoleum. Not as enticing as the old unless you’ve never been in one. I made a bee-line for it.

View from the new to the old.

I’m in love with what we call the “Roman pines” which are limbed up extensively. This farm house was also wonderful, and not far from the cemetery. Bonus points!

We took an official, unofficial detour and found the town of Colle di Val d’Elsa. Earlier we weighed out the options between the two routes: 11km, up hill with services vs. 15km, flat, marginal services. To us the choice was easy. We ran into fellow Pelegríni for whom the choice wasn’t as clear. We did good.

One of those things that catches the corner of your eye as you go by.

Panoramic shot. All I see in my guy.

That is an elevator, and as much as I wanted to take it, we had no idea where it ended up. And down-there-somewhere isn’t specific enough when you’re on a hill with countless switchback and you don’t speak the lingo.

Reason #70 not to mountain bike a Camino: you’d like to father children.

6 sided church. Sadly we could not go in.

Looking up to the walled city of Monteriggioni, our stop for the evening.

Inside the walls. Large piazza, cafes, hilarious waiter who slowly decided were were okay.