I’ve decided to combine three days.

It’s going to be a long one so put on a pot of coffee or grab a bottle of wine.

Persevere… some parts might seem repetitious but remember it’s slow going – we average around two miles an hour. We go down to go up. We go east and north to get south. The best part is that it’s Tuscany and it’s magnificent in every way.

First the stats:

Day 27 – Siena to Ponte d’Arbia – Tuesday October 2nd – 17 miles in 7.48 hours climbing 992 feet in elevation (remember we can’t calculate the descent).

Day 28 – Ponte d’Arbia to San Quirico d’Orcia – Wednesday October 3rd – 17 miles in 7.38 hours climbing 2,231 feet.

Day 29 – San Quirico d’Orcia to Le Briccole – Thursday October 4th – 11.5 miles in 5.24 hours and climbing 1451 feet.

I mention the climbing because it’s so darn hard!

When we arrived in Ponte d’Arbia Tuesday afternoon there was only a twenty bed Ostello with one bathroom/shower available. Nope, not this time! Having decided earlier in the day that if the place in Ponte d’Arbia was not acceptable we’d find book a place about a half hour away for three nights and taxi to and from our starting and ending points. Done! We’re staying at a 1200 year old agriturismo called Casa Antica. We all have our own apartments in the same building and are living in the lap of luxury.

The taxi rides aren’t cheap but they’re so worth it.

Three of us lightened our loads and two left their packs in the room.

Siena to Ponte d’Arbia – windy and perfectly cool ~

I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you and I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white – bright blessed day, the dark sacred night and I think to myself what a wonderful world. ~ Louis ArmstrongSome burro time – miss our Baja burros.Roxanne’s post and photos:

Walked from Siena to 
Ponte d’ Arbia then taxied to a 1,200 year old home called 
Casa Antica.

Paige again:

Ponte d’Arbia to San Quirico d’Orcia ~

This little girl came running up to us and about tripped me trying to get some loving. I wanted to take her home.

A good day, all day!

After walking from Ponte d’Arbia to San Quirico d’Orcia, we returned to the 1,200 year old home called Casa Antica and Paige built us dinner. 

Me again.

San Quirico d’Orcia to Le Briccole

I’m on the top of the world lookin’ down on creation ~ Karen Carpenter

After walking from San Quirico to Le Briccole, we returned to Casa Antica and to another fine meal built by Paige.