The view of the quiet town square below were wonderful:
as I headed out by 645 am!! Into the quiet streets of Altopascio... Quickly finding myself an open bar for coffee and cake!!
I soon left the suburban streets, and was crossing wildflower meadows, with the birds singing, and flowers perfume to keep me company!
I was walking on an ancient part of the Via Francigena, and parts of the old Roman road had recently been 're-discovered'.
A hot sunny morning as I put a fair distance into my days travel - until I got into the hilly village of Fucecchio, where I found a bar open for food and a nice pot of tea!! These villages are amazing really; old, narrow streets, and hardly anyone around! With old doorways and buildings to be seen everywhere.
As I dropped alongside the river bank, going along reclaimed marshland, I started to see up in the distance some hilltop towers, and wondered whether that was my destination for the day - San Miniato - it was!!
I then slogged my way across the hot flat lands, and then eventually reached the bottom of the hill, to climb up to the top... And my nights stop at St Francis monastery - where the Saint himself stopped en route to Rome!!
I had a room with a tremendous view across the Tuscan landscape:
even better I was able to take the short cut into the church, for evening mass, and a visit to the ancient crypt below...
Before retiring to bed to see the sun setting over the lands below, and being above the fireworks as they went off down below at midnight!!
I'd also managed to see (on FaceTime) my young Grandson Sebastian, 2 years old today... Happy Birthday!!
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