Hilly & Hot

The last 2 day’s cycling in Tuscany has been beautiful. Very little traffic accept round Siena where I camped last night. Only one nutty driver in a campervan with blacked out windows who seemed to have somewhere to get to urgently yesterday. Certain areas of Italy there have been sections that haven’t been pleasant to cycle on – other road users just not giving enough space – today and yesterday I feel as if I’m in a completely different country and really enjoying it. Having said that though it’s not all been easy – it is hot hot hot – earlier today it was 30° and hilly! Passing lots of towns and villages with place names beginning with “Monte” – not surprisingly this means mountain – really not mountainous at all but lots of little hills.

Views of San Miniato

Yesterday morning I left San Miniato, stopped at San Gimignano and then onto Siena where I had a wander round this morning. This afternoon I had a wee wander through the smaller town of Asciano – all hill fort towns. San Gimignano has huge towers and the black and white marble cathedral in Siena is stunning.

San Gimignano

Knowing it was going to be hot again today I hadn’t intended stopping at Siena – my plan was get some miles in before it got too hot but instead found myself cycling at the hotest part of the day.

Siena

Away from the towns lots of trees (including the tall slim distinct shaped cypress trees) and lots of vineyards but the further south I go the less trees there are and everything is looking dryer.

Cypress Trees & Vineyards

Cycling south from Lucca to San Miniato saw lots of walkers doing the Via Francigena and got speaking to some of them including 3 ladies from Australia – they were struggling with the heat – I thought if they are struggling there’s no help for me, forgetting that not all of Australia is toasty hot. The section from Lucca to Rome is one of the busiest sections of the pilgrimage and I should have thought of this when I was trying to get accommodation in San Miniato – no campsite near by, the hostel was full and so was the convent where the hostel said I should try. There is a website for convents that you can stay in and they are advertised as quiet peaceful places to stay which seems really appealing but as someone who doesn’t go to church I feel guilty about staying there and don’t feel that I should – on the other hand they are trying to make money like anyone else so maybe I should be brave and stay in one some time – as it happens I managed to get a room in a wee hotel.

The campsite in Sienna had a section for cyclists and backpackers and there were a lot of cyclists last night – a big Polish group arrived as it was getting dark. There wasn’t a lot of conversation though – I think everyone was too gubbed with the heat. I made use of the campsite restaurant and had a plate of “french fries” for my dinner which turned out to be really tasty chunky chips. The downside of the restaurant was it was really close to the cyclists bit of the campsite, open until 11pm and noisy (and maybe I’m just becoming a party pooper).

Going backwards after Dad left Lucca for home I stayed an extra night in Lucca and cycled to Pisa and back – I’ve seen the Leaning Tower before but never been up it and was keen to do that. It was very busy but loved it. It feels very odd going up the tower – spiral staircase but with a distinct slant and it does make you feel off kilter.

Not a very flattering picture of me holding the Leaning Tower of Pisa up

More pictures of Pisa

I’ll try and upload some pictures of Lucca and mine and Phil’s brief visit to the sea but right now heading to bed – going to try and set off early and beat tomorrow’s heat.