Day 6: Florence to Ferrano

Day 6: 36.5km. Florence to Ferrano. Total: 173.5km.

It’s not everyday you find yourself chopping vegetables to prepare supper for a Steiner school party alongside a goldsmith and priest/theologian/Taoist practitioner of Zen meditation in the middle of nowhere in the Tuscan hills...but alas, here I am.

Today marked the first day of 550km along the Way of St Francis to Rome, so I’m able to stay in more pilgrim-centric accommodation, such as this retreat centre. 

And ‘retreat’ it most certainly is, because, arriving in Ferrano around 3pm, I could not find it for love nor money, and managed to add an extra 2km uphill in the circuitous route I eventually ended up taking to reach it. 

I was really very grumpy upon arrival. Believe me, I am not in the business of adding unnecessary mileage with such a journey before me!

Regardless, after a shower (and, more importantly, with supper imminent) I am now feeling much better. Onwards to Rome!