Day 14: into Tuscany

We say goodbye after a lovely visit, knowing that the next night will not be spent sheltered in friends' courtyard. First comes a good long stretch of motorway, which holds a surprise for me: I still remember the long climbs full of bends. That piece of motorway from Bologna into Tuscany is now called the 'Panoramica', and as an alternative there is the new 'Direttissima' — considerably straighter, running through countless tunnels. Quite apart from the agony of choosing between two roads leading to the same place, it is a fine thing.

Today's destination is an Area Sosta Camper at Monteriggioni, just short of Siena. I had pictured a functional car park — nothing special. In fact what awaited us was a car park with campsite-like facilities (and, to the children's great delight, a small playground) which, despite being just before Ferragosto, was not particularly full. There was room enough to set out table and chairs and enjoy the sunset over dinner… accompanied by an extremely aromatic scent hanging in the air. From the car park a path leads towards Monteriggioni, lovely at first — sadly not all the way: the last part has to be walked on the road, but we save that for the next day.