San Gimignano

Leaving Florence at a respectable hour we bumped into a New York traveller with a classic case of 'I have an 8.37am train from the station (keep in mind she is standing at the campsite at 8.25am, almost 40 minutes from the station) and I just want to see the Gondolas and canals in Venice before I make an overnight train at 5pm thisafternoon from Milan to Barcelona'. It dawned on us from our observations that Americans are regularly either on a tour bus, travelling in packs of 8 or more, or more frequently LOST! We wish her the very best in achieving a comprehensive if not slightly optimistic tour of Europe.

Our pace was somewhat less rushed with no bus ticket purchased, stomachs wanting pastries and a desire to visit San Gimignano, a mere 1 hour bus ride south.

Making the Poggibonsi (???) connection we arrived at the glorious walled city of San Gimignano. Proportedly the most visited town in Tuscany, it has 7 remaining towers of the 72 which have been erected in its turbulent history of feuding families etc. Casciano and Tavernelle seem only to erect a few more towers and they may be in the running...

We hope to be known forever as responsible backpackers, and bear in mind this section of the blog will be edited before our children are old enough to read, we hitched a ride to the campsite. The lovely Austrian couple (middle aged although I am sure they believe they are younger) were very chatty when they offered a ride in their brand new Audi in the midday sun.

Eager to get the embassy flag flying we boogeyed on down to the local bus stop and were a little perplexed when the large converted Toyota Hiace came to a halt. Walking through the narrow winding and very picturesque streets we decided that the best vantage point of the town (and to check on the embassy) would be the 13th century 72 metre tower. We met a somewhat older Doogy Houser MD on the tower and helped him take a photo then remained a while to enjoy the vista across rolling hills, church spires, terrocotta roof tiles and vineyards tp the horizon.

A Day in Tuscany - 15 May

To commence our romantic Tuscan experience we washed a load of smelly socks and undies. By midday we dragged ourselves from the exciting chores and ventured back into town for lunch. Finally a decent sized lump of lasagne was served and eagerly devoured in a popular restaurant in the town square. Watching families play ball in the streets and everybody eating gelato from the 2006 Best Italian Gelato shop across the square made us ponder the idea of returning oneday with our own family. It was concluded that it would be easier to leave kids with the folks instead.

An afternoon swim was needed after taking the long walk (without hitchhiking) through the vineyards and olive groves to the embassy. The sun set amongst the oak trees we were camped underneath and as the day was coming to an end so too was our 1 litre tub of tiramasu gelato.