In Lucca we enter ‘familiar’ territory. We recognize the green city wall and the Duomo from our walk from 2019. I was already surprised by the decorated columns of the front facade; each column has a different pattern. We then started the walk in this city. Because the first two legs are long and a bit boring, now take the train to San Miniato.

From San Miniato we walk to Gambassi Terrme, a beautiful old town, where we spend the night in a romantic room. It rains for the last few kilometers. But after a shower and a nap we have enough energy again to drink a glass of wine in the cafe on the village square. It’s busy there; the people of the village come there for an espresso or a glass of wine. Christian and Philip, the men from the Ecrins, with whom we had regular contact along the way, join us a little later. It is nice to exchange stories with them. The rain outside doesn’t matter anymore. And a good pizza makes the day complete.

The next morning we go back to the cafe for a cappuccino and a brioche for breakfast. It is just as pleasantly busy as the day before.

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