Trekking Day One - Buonconvento

Trekking – Day One

We gathered in front of the hotel at 9:30 am for our ride to the trailhead at the Oliveto Maggiore (a Benedictine Monastery).  It was a 40-minute ride.  Our chauffeurs arrived with an eight passenger mini van and a Mercedes sedan.  Due to Deborah’s propensity to wear pearls for hiking, we were nominated to be the two in the back of the Mercedes.

How Retirees Roll to the Trailhead.

We arrived at the monastery and had a tour around.  The monks create art, sell sunflower oil, and wine.  The Order was founded in the early 1300’s and can boast that Napoleon once dropped by for dinner with his 2000 troops.  I sat in the dining hall and I suspect it hasn’t changed much since Napoleon was there.

We Looked Pretty Fresh at the Start.

The hike itself for about 11 km, with the entire requisite up and down hills necessary in Tuscany.  We travelled on a bit of paved road edge, some farmer's secondary gravel roads, and clay paths through the trees.  It was 28 degrees and humid.  As we crested the hills we were greeted with a cooling breeze and 360 degree vistas of farmland.  We found the views spellbinding, but my words could never do it justice.  Except for the occasional power line, I suspect the vistas haven't changed in centuries.  This part of Italy is famous for its sunflower crops.  It would have been a treat to be here at the end of August when the plowed fields were a blaze of yellow.

Stopped for bread, cheese and a bottle of wine in a farmer’s field at the top of a ridge.

Glen, Nola, & Deborah - Lunch Break.

The Trekking Men - George, Phil, Sam, Glen & Warren

Arrived in the village of Buonconvento at the end of Day One.  I think I have figured out why we are not experiencing any weight loss on this trip.  When we were within a block of our destination, the entire group veered off into a sidewalk bar and we each consumed one-liter bottles of beer in the first five minutes.

Very tired.  I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

Meeting for drinks at 7, dinner to follow in the old walled town.