Siena to Lucignano

Caio!

A beautiful fountain that we passed on the way trying to get out of Siena.  We hated leaving Siena.  It is a fabulous city, full of old buildings, interesting architecture, and beautiful people.  It had such charm and gelato galore.  My new favorite flavor is almond.

We spent our first hour of the day trying to find the trail.  We walked in grand circles for three and a third miles, only to end up back in the same place over and over.  It would have been funny if it had been someone else.  This is where Dennis was going to have to check me in if I had to ask one more person how to get to the Via Francigena.  We actually took our first break still inside the old town because Dennis needed to use the facilities and I wanted a diet coke.  That was a first.  Usually, we at least make it to next town for either of those things.

I finally figured out that we needed to ask for the Roma Porta. And here it is.  FINALLY some trail markers.  

Once we found our way out of the old city, we walked another two miles or so to reach the city limits.

Looking back on Siena. 

I love the old Roman bridges. 

The path, part road, and part trail was very up and down.  At the highest point of the day was this old iron cross.  Just like on my other Caminos, I am carrying a small stone for a friend whose daughter has cancer.  Many prayers at crosses and churches.  For her and for all of you!

It is nice to see the arrow pointing to Roma, my final destination. That is Dennis putting one foot after another.  We took a total of 36,873 steps!

Another view of the scenery.  This is a field that has just been plowed up.  We are in major farming country and reaping the benefits of it with great salads and vegetables.

Another hiker, in the distance.  We came to several crossroads that were not clear so were able to follow her for some distance.  It is not always safe to follow another hiker because sometimes they are just walking with a backpack.  I have ended up headed into some suburb! And I really hate to backtrack!

It is really bad news to get lost at the beginning and the end.  We had a dickens of a time finding our hotel in a town which means old village.  At long last...our hotel. We did find it but we managed to turn a supposed 11.2-day into a 16-mile day!  It is time for wine so Cheers!