Siena

Yesterday once we had arrived at the campsite we cycled into Siena and walked around in awe of the streets and houses which have remained unchanged throughout the centuries. Il Campo, the main square, is the scene of the annual palio horserace, which sounds rather cruel but must be fascinating to watch. We visited the Duomo and were amazed at the detail in every corner - it is an incredible place to behold. The library, tucked away in a corner, holds manuscripts from the 14th century which are painted with amazing skill and in great detail. I was also given my birthday present from Eli 6 weeks early, a gorgeous Italian leather handbag! Back at the campsite we had a swim in the best campsite pool so far, it was 4m deep and 25m long! As for today, right now I am lying in a hammock tied on one side to the Landy and on the other to a tree, with two bungee cords stretched above me with wet washing on them. Today has been incredibly chilled, its been a bit windy and threatening to rain all day so we didn't go back into Siena itself but to a tiny medieval village, Monteriggioni, just north of it which is a fortified town and set amongst the scene of many battles between Siena and Florence in days gone by - some of the buildings date back to the 11th century. We then found a little off-road track, actually an 11th century pilgrimage route which stretches from Canterbury to Rome, where we did a little greenlaning and where we stopped to eat our smoked-salmon and ciabatta lunch and watched the ominous clouds blow past us (thankfully). Dinnertime now and an early morning for the drive to Pisa, Lecco and towards the Cinque Terre tomorrow!
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