Sunday 25 April

It took a while to get our stuff together this morning with the wet washing that had to be carefully packed so that it might dry on the way, and we got underway just before 09h30, with the temperature down at 12 degrees. We hit a headwind straight away and the first 14km to Vulci were very very slow going, and the wind was also bitingly cold. We stopped to visit a castle museum on the way but didn't stay long because of the weather and our slow progress so far.

The headwind turned into a vicious cross-wind as we turned North, but the sun did eventually make an appearance to defrost our frozen bodies. We eventually reached Manciano, the first of many hill-top towns that we'd encounter on this trip where we struggled to find something to eat because firstly, it was Sunday and secondly, it was after 1pm, therefore everything is closed. Leon's Bar was the answer where we had a very simple lunch of a Cappuccino and a cornetto (basically a croissant) each. Hardly a meal, but all that was on offer and at least the Cappuccinos warmed us up a bit.

Manciano was followed by a nice twisty descent and then a gradual climb towards Pitigliano until eventually you hit the view on the left of the town perched on top of its hill. A steep descent followed by a steep climb got us into the town and to the Albergo Guastini where we checked in.

After nice hot showers we headed off to explore the town, a maze of narrow streets, like being transported back a few hundred years. There was a very interesting Jewish Synagogue and museum dating from the 16th century. Being a Sunday most of the shops were closed, as was the tourist office (I think we found 3 open tourist offices in our whole trip!)

Back in the hotel before supper we caught the weather forecast which promised 22 degrees for tomorrow. Let's hope!! We had supper in the hotel restaurant where I chose the Menu Turistico, a 3 course feast of bean soup, wild boar (or as the waitress described it, a PINK. I think she meant pig, it was very funny) and a dessert that I can't remember. All washed down with local Pitigliano red wine.