Today Jim, who walks more slowly than I, left at 6:30, and I left 50 minutes later, giving us both some quiet time for thought. I caught up to him 4 hours later on our 16 mile , 6 hour walk.
We’ve reached classic Tuscany. Rolling Hills, Vineyards, olive orchards and small copes of pines. The rows of cedar are just as you would hope them to be. One can hear roosters crowing and dogs barking off in the mist.
The hay has been cut, and some of the fields are already plowed. There are just the earliest signs that autumn is here. There’s one bush that has leaves that are turning brown, not so much red or yellow.
Genesis 1:11–12: Then God said: Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. And so it happened: 12 the earth brought forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw that it was good.
Today was agricultural beauty.
We were told that between Luca and Sienna there might be extra pilgrims on the road, only going that one week’s walk. It’s a beautiful stretch, I know why they would do it.
There are five Pilgrims just ahead of me and two way off in the distance, and one behind me. I’m the slow one. They’re all young and thin.
Every now, and then, someone, usually on a bicycle, but occasionally walking by, will say “buon Camino.” the people with whom we walk, usually do not. If we greet them, they respond, but it doesn’t seem to be the custom here.
We spent the afternoon sitting in a town square with little children and adults in the shade of the trees. The older children came later, perhaps after homework was done.
We both had bacalao for dinner, with a livornese sauce..,a perfect day.
Sometimes we need solitude and nature to have a good reflection and see the real beauty around us. Thanks for taking us along your pilgrimage through your stories and prayers. Bacalao seems delicious. Buon Camino to you and Fr. Jim! 🙏