After much discussion, George and I came up with a simple day. Let’s sleep in, eat the gourmet breakfast and take a leisurely hike to the proper town of Radicofani. We were in the outskirts and after talking with the Spaniards yesterday, they convinced us that it is a nice layover. So layover it is.

After the splendid “eat all you can eat” gourmet breakfast, we schlepped our packs on our backs, and off we went. The climb out of our fine farmhouse was the biggest challenge of the day. Well that’s my take. George may have other words for the three miles we walked but you can stay tuned to his version on Facebook.

Once we hit the road, it was fairly easy going. We followed the VF, which it appeared that today, we were the only ones who did. Everyone else fancied the much less enjoyable road walking! In case you haven’t heard, I distain walking on highways, roadways or anything asphalt and man-made. Just to be absolutely clear!

Lucky for us, it was a much nicer route and we actually could hear cow bells gonging. Well I thought they were until we made it around the corner and saw a working sheep ranch with hundreds of lambs and many sheep dogs.

The big matriarch sheep dog was lying down, overseeing the younger dogs as they corralled the stray or wayward sheep. It was quite impressive watching, as not a single lamb was unaccounted. The Shepard appeared to be napping in his Toyota pickup truck. He didn’t need to do a bloody thing!

There were a few sheep that wandered onto our trail but as we approached they headed back down to greener pastures. There were a few white cranes or storks that would land on the back of an unsuspecting sheep, and hitch a ride. I could’ve stayed all morning watching this fascinating story of Shepard meets dogs and dog meets sheep. Quite the spectacle.

Yet the climb up to our tower in the sky was still a little over a mile so we proceeded. Once in town, it was little goings on. We were greeted by a couple of women doing the best to inform us that the cafe is closed on Mondays. Another fellow came out and help us with translating, where is the laundromat? We have not properly washed our clothes in weeks and that has gotten my full attention! He introduced us to Jean as he spoke English much better than I speak Italian. Before I knew it, he was escorting us to the laundromat and also sold us his book! Great bartering still exists.

Before we found our laundry, I had shared with Jean our desire to get to our apartment. It seems that everyone knows everyone in small towns and he walked us to our abode. Many people converged and before long, we were in our apartment, bags dropped off and heading for a proper cafe and groceries. Small towns have become my favorite places as you never wander far before someone greets you and tells you where to go. In a very civilized and nice manner!

So here we are at noon, in town, having macchiatos, making friends and doing laundry. And we made our first non-consumable purchase of this trip, a book from a local author. I think that wraps it up. Oh, just in case you were interested, OSHA does not exist in small town Italy. Next door to the laundromat, two guys are hanging from plastic corrugated safety ?? edging on the rooftop. Yes, they are attached by a harness and one single rope. No backup safety line, just two guys dangling and applying plaster to the third story. No scaffolding required. Only in Radicofani!