Florence at the Finish Line...... and giving thanks for great people in her life

The cliche of...
It’s not the destination, it’s the journey
Holds more truth than I ever realised.

Turning up at the Basilica meant little to me
But it was an ending
An ending to 4.30 am departures
Blazing , sucking sun
Endless sweating and stink
Parched lips and urgent thirst
Numb toes and swollen ankle
Incredible frustration and fear
Sleepless nights and sun burnt arms

But it was an end to the freedom
Of looking how you do because that is the way it is
Singing and dancing to ABBA when the day began to get tough
Sipping that cold beer on arrival at the first bar
That coffee and croissant crema first thing
Deep and meaningful conversations
That never dry up
Sitting on any cool shaded step anywhere because you can
Doing each day as you feel
Not how someone tells you
Sighing with pleasure at that delicious limoncello
Working to walk up mountains and looking across what you have done
Laughing at nothing
Learning about everything

What did it do for me?
Am I a new person?
I’m the same
But I have walked Italy
As a beginner
A woman
A learner
A walker
A friend

And I hope I am better in all those roles...
And I’m tired
I’m in Rome......
The next stage begins in the coming week
Thank you to all who have watched this journey
It has been unforgettable
Thank you to my dearest friend, Lee Evans
For his honesty
His support
His laughter
His self
And his utter joy in the sharing of an Italian adventure.

Florence Feeling A Melancholy Moment

The names fly by in a blur
Acquapendente, Radifocani, SAN Gimignano, Fornovo, Fiorenze
And at least 50 more
Antiquity
Modern
History
Present
Kilometres and kilometres of Italy have been walked
My destiny is a mere 137 km or so
Rome!

My feet sport the scars of the path.... the challenges
My face , seared from the Italian sun, has more laughter drawn upon it
More
More of everything.
Today I am weary
But tomorrow I will continue.
There’s a shadow on the path
The shade of my absent walking friend
I can’t believe the time that has passed since the beginning and there is only one month left of holidays before the return to Kuwait
But my soul has been fed from nature, fresh air and beauty- all absent in the sand I live in

Ah well, my gelato was good, the coffee great and I am ready
To walk to Rome.

Solo Florence Flies!

Tantalising!
Seductive!
Siena!
Three glorious days.....
Of relaxation
And food and wine!
But it is a preparation for my next stage
A Roma!
Only about 200 to go
This time there is no pair of gringos
As male gringo has gone to Rome before
He returns to his homelands!
This one is my baby!
Florence as solo
Walking the roads and paths
With a focus!
Of what shall I think?
It doesn’t matter as it is the mindful presence
Of treading the earth
But What a journey it has been!
What an amazing companion
Has walked with me!
We have seen 800 km of Italy
And trodden the ground
Yet watched the changes with such joy!
I thank my dear friend for the ice
For the relaxation
For the croissants and coffee
For the gin and wine
For the learning!
It is time
And it is exciting and challenging
Tomorrow morning at 4.30
I follow the Via Francigena
From Piazza del Campo!
Ciao!

Tuscany touches the heart of Florence... it must be love.

Transformation comes when we least expect it.
Do we seek that ?

It comes in different ways
Alpine communities merging with a more rural one

Mountain vistas opening into massive urbanism
Stone cottages to Tuscan villas
Byzantine towers to medieval piazzas

Forested mountains to on road walking.

Tuscany Tuscany, you are not a world of romanticism

You built yourself on the backs of the people
Your woodlands merges to wildflowers
There are no flowing gowns drifting dreamily under the Tuscan sun
There are hills and mountains to climb
Rocks to carry your feet from underneath
Horses high on a mountain

And there is Rome
It’s creeping influence across the landscape
Gladiatorial ancient relics
Ah! Ozymandias.... we looked upon your works
As time had eroded the power.

And our feet walked the ground of history
Breathtaking beauty
Old women sweeping dirt from their steps

Olive groves shadowed the hills
Silver grey leaves reflecting the relentless sun

I have learnt so much
My friend has taught me how to walk
And the joy is ever present.

I have lived Tuscany.