Day 61: Siena, Sun, 24°

A Grand Day Touring Siena!

Ok, repeat after me, “Rob got his morning coffee”!😂

For those of you counting, that’s two days in a row. Enough said😑

Last night was a great meal out! Chicken cacciatore with a side of cooked vegetables and a full bottle of Chianti Classico. I think I might have put a poind or two back on during this stop. I’ll need it with 12 stages to Rome without a break beginning tomorrow. 

We then went for a walk down to the piazza to spot the lights and to settle our feast. 



Given it’s a rest day we took our time this morning getting going. We went out and found breakfast at around 9 o’clock. Rob said he’s fully caught up with his sleep and is feeling great now. I beg to differ. I’m sitting here in the afternoon writing my blog after he said that a nap would be unlikely, and…jet lag hit!

Today we were focussing mostly on the Duomo, but also on the Santa Marie della Scalla. We walked over to the Duomo to get our tickets and found that it was nearly ready to open so we got into line. 





Good plan because the tour groups would be soon be hot on our tails. It paid off. We got into the Duomo ahead of the large tour groups. It was really nice to have some space before this massive cathedral began to fill up. 

This place can easily overwhelm a person. So much to take in! There’s the big picture to start, 

And there are the special floors that are only open for viewing a couple of times each year. Thanks Costanza for the heads up!

Once the enormity of the place begins to settle into your brain, the small details begin to make themselves known. If you’re open to seeing them. 

The Popes. 

Then it was on to the Santa Maria della Scala that Maggie and Erin directed us to. It was very good and we pretty much had it to ourselves. 

Used as a hospital I believe in the 13th and 14 C. 

Notice the pilgrim with the shell on his hat. 

Rob asking for divine intervention as he works his way through the jet lag!😂



Then we were above ground again and wandering in search of lunch. Some street scenes. 

We found stamps here I’ll Campo and at the Duomo!

Success! Rob has his first pizza! Beer was excellent!

Now I have to pause my blogging as we have a 16:00 appointment to climb some 400 steps up this thing! Costs €10. They should be paying us to do this, right?

There will be a reward afterwards. 

400+ stairs later, our view. Lucky to have a decent day! The Duomo. 

Il Piazza del Campo. Hanging over the side wasn’t too pleasant. 

We walk out through this neighbourhood tomorrow. 



















The reward for all our hard work!

So tomorrow we finally get this show on the road! It’s a bit of a long stage, somewhere north of 30 km, but we have a plan. It’s been an amazing stay in Siena, but as with every Camino, after a rest day or two it feels like time to get going again. Energy levels are up and we’re ready to kick on down the trail! The final 12 stages to Vatican City with about 275 km left to go. More tomorrow!