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Italy

August - October 2017
A 39-day adventure by Brian Read more
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  • Brian GallagherItaly
    Day 11

    Day 9, 10 & 11. Florence.

    September 4, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Our relocation to Florence created no problems for us but the conductor on the train was run ragged by people trying to avoid paying. You had to hand it to him, In difficult circumstances he did a good job.
    We are staying on the outskirts of town and the Via Francesco runs practically past our front door. It will reduce the first day's walk by over 3 kms.
    Our major task here is to visit the Basilica Santa Croce for our first stamp in the pilgrim passport. We were unsuccessful on the Sunday ( bookshop in Basilica closed) but today we succeeded.
    It was on the mid 90's we were here last during a two week Italian course. Shirl used to sightsee in the morning whilst I toiled in the classroom. We used to meet early afternoon in the Piazza della Signorina by the statue of David. It's all changed as the steps have been removed.
    We have revisited all the popular places along with thousand of other tourists. The queues for the Uffizi, Duomo and the Basilica were huge. The city is taking it in.
    We are anxious to start walking tomorrow and our plans are well advanced. Some of the places we were going to stay in are closed. They only open for the summer. It means a couple of longer days but it's manageable. There are several stages we won't due as the distances between accomodation are too long for us.
    We are ready to go and looking forward to tomorrow.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItaly
    Day 12

    Day 12. On the road again.

    September 5, 2017 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Today, the first day of the Via Francesco, saw us leave Florence at 8am for a 21 km walk.
    There were no markings through Florence but we cleared the city limits new markings appeared which, I found out this evening had been placed there by the group that Sandy Brown was guiding to Assisi, 1 day ahead of us.
    We climbed steadily up to Settignano where it was time for coffee and brioche. Just after the town we started a quite steep descent down to the river Arno and the villages of Compiobbi (gelato there), Zellers, Le Falle and Sieci where we had a panini.
    From there it was a long climb as the temperatures increased and once we were over the top it was a long descent to Pontassieve.
    A tiring day because we had lost a lot of fitness during the month since Shirl's accident.
    After a shower we went shopping for some supplies for tomorrow as there is nowhere on route to buy anything.
    We had a really good meal and now it's bed before an early start tomorrow.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItaly
    Day 15

    Day 13. Passo della Consuma

    September 8, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    A little stiff this morning as we eased ourselves up the mountain for Diacetto. A steady climb. Got lost once but we made it for coffee and dolci. This was followed by about 5 kms on a quiet lane. We met Kathren, Belgian, as we rested on a bench before entering the forest and the afternoon's climb.
    The track had been chewed up badly by the loggers and this made it difficult on the steeper sections. We had plenty of shade in the forest, which was welcome. The total climb was 1050 metres. We were glad to arrive in Consuma.
    Our hostess drove us about 500ms to the accommodation. We had a 3 bedroom house to ourselves. Irina drove us to and from for dinner and breakfast.
    Gerry and Alice(Americans) who we met yesterday were supposed to have dinner with us but they were billeted about 25kms away. Dinner was Kathryn, Ronald(Dutch) and ourselves. It made for a pleasant evening.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItaly
    Day 15

    Day 14. Stia

    September 8, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Irina picked us up for breakfast at 7-30 and we breakfasted with K & R. We left at 8 but the other two waited for the Americans and the two Aussies we have yet to meet.
    We looked over pass but it was shrouded in mist.
    Today was supposed to be an easier day, mainly downhill, with some ascents. Didn't feel like that.
    Shirl was having back problems so it made it a very difficult
    day. Beat in mind the only way out is to walk. It was a struggle for her. I took the heavier items out of her to try and ease the load. We made it but what an ordeal for Shirl.
    Shirl's back injury is similar to the one she experienced on the South West Coast walk.
    As soon as we arrived she showered and after a massaged and some painkillers she went to bed to get as much rest as possible.
    In the meantime I had to re-arrange our itinerary. The biggest problem is transport in these remote areas.
    There is always. solution to all problems and by the time Shirl had rested the problem was solved
    We will remain on Stia tomorrow and then travel by bus for two days in Badia Prataglia, an original stop for us.
    Then two days in Sansecolpro before, hopefully continuing to walk.
    I had already programmed som rest days. Little later on and we will still have them.
    In the evening we went to dinner and finally met up with Sandie and Roxanne, two Aussies from Perth. There were 8 of us for a very pleasant dinner. Non stop conversation.
    A good night pity I left my mobile in the room.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItaly
    Day 16

    Day 16. Badia Prataglia.

    September 9, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today's journey to Badia involved two buses as it's out of the way. This was where we were suppose to walk to. Shirl's back is much better and tomorrow we might walk part of the track, without packs, to see how she goes.
    We don't plan to do a full day's walk for 4 days. It will give her back a good rest. After that we had planned to miss 3 long stages so hopefully by the time we reach Assisi all should be well.
    Well tonight in Badia Prataglia is the Festa dei Fochi. (Fie Festival). Their version of bonfire night. Quite spectacular but dangerous. With Italian precision it started 45 mins late.
    Then the fireworks until 2 pm.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItaly
    Day 17

    Day 17. A dismal day.

    September 10, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    We woke to thunder, lightning and heavy rain. Our thoughts were with those walking. A good day to be indoors.
    A lazy morning , resting and planning.
    After lunch we caught up with some fellow pilgrims we had seen in Stia. Isa and her dog, Kira, Francis and Annimie.
    They walked today and the forest gave them some protection. It was a short walk and they started late.
    In the evening they had a Choral concert in the church opposite. 3 groups from Pistoia. The first group were the best by far. An enjoyable concert followed by a pleasant meal with the other pilgrims.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItaly
    Day 19

    Day 18 & 19. Sansecolpro

    September 12, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    It took us two bus and 1 train trip to Sansecolpro where we arrived at 2pm. We checked in and then found the laundromat. A successful day followed by a quiet evening meal
    Day 19 was reserved for sightseeing but first we sussed out the route out of town. The book had two options neither off which we acceptable to us so we planned our own quieter and shorter route.
    A visit to the Cathedral, several churches and the Civic Museum. The churches here of the early baroque style, not to our liking.
    The museum was a gem. Sansecolpro' s famous son is Piero della Francesca.. A painter of the early renaissance period. Paintings by him were displayed along with an early Michelangelo. Sculptures by Della Robbia and works by Luca Pacioli. Another Sansepolcro favourite son of the same period as Francesca. Quite a few frescoes on display as well as the synopsies.
    But the real gem was an exhibition by the American photographer Steven McCurrey. An exhibition which aroused the full gambit of human emotions.    Read more

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