Date: Tuesday 11 September
Distance covered to Rome: 846.3/1027km
Terrain: OMG! Ascent: 983m, Descent: 612m
Overnight: Rifugio Comunale A Gestri, €16.70
Feeling: Completely stuffed!
Today was the hardest day’s work I have done in a long, long time. Yes there have been some tough days in the last month and today was right up there with best, or worst, of them. The app describes today as ‘ very challenging’. The only ‘ very challenging’ rating in the whole Italian section of the Via Francigena. They were not kidding!
I was climbing soon as I left the streets of San Quirico. It did not augur well for the rest of the day, which turned out to be a series of ever-steeper climbs and finished with the last 8 km of straight up climbing! By this stage, the day was really starting to warm up and it was a real challenge to stay hydrated. Luckily there were some water points along the way, but no food.
I can only imagine what the people in cars and on motor bikes were thinking as they flew past. Yes, another nutter walking the via Francigena!
For a good part of the walk I could not even see my destination, Radicofani. Even though it is located at the top of a mountain, there were equally high mountains in front of it, blocking the view! Yes, I am a nutter!
So, 7 hours and 21 minutes later, I finally made it to Radicofani. No town ever looked so good!
I have shared some photos here from the early part of the day. For the bulk of it, I just didn’t have the energy to drag the camera out of its case.
Tip of the day: skip this section if you can!
Life...one big adventure 
Sorry you had such a rough day. May tomorrow be better!
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Thanks Lue. How is your walk? Mel
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Pretty good, finally on the Camino Frances so lots of pilgrims. We are not doing the long slogs of yore, just too damned old. Trying to keep our days around 18 to 33 kms. Hope you are reading David’s blog.
Must say I am impressed with you!
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Great to hear you are traveling well. Only an 18km day for us too tomorrow, but with a few climbs….as per usual! Take care,Melx
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Good onya Mel! The beer must taste good at the end of the day!
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Funny you should mention that! It is what I am doing right now!!!
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Bloody awesome effort! You’re a champion Mel xG
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Bloody mad more like it!
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Dear Nutter
Tip noted !! 😁
Regards Kate Rogers
>
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Good! 🙂
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Oh god Mel I spoke too soon. Shit that’s a long day! Hope you had a few vino’s afterwards.
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One very large, very cold beer! 🙂
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Oh Mel ….. After reading your two previous blogs I thought finally this sounds like an enjoyable, somewhat civil ‘walk’ with stunning views and great company. Then there was this most recent blog ….. ah well, there is always tomorrow 🙂 xx
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Yes, you have to be an eternal optimist on this walk!
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See you soon. Melx
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Oh dear, this sounds like a challenging day! But hey, happy days to end off with a beer!
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What is that saying? What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger! I should be 10ft tall and bulletproof!
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