Pilgrim’s Blog

Distance: 27.0 km – Elevation +410 m -700 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 34 degrees I set the alarm on my phone before sleeping to ensure that I was up and about in time for my host’s departure, but it wasn’t needed as I woke naturally well before 5.00 am. I joined my hosts for breakfast and we exchanged contact details and I thanked them for their kindness and hospitality and I received a warm hug

Distance: 23.5 km – Elevation +590 m -720 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 33 degrees Lusuolo was an interesting small village with its imposing 12th-century castle built high above the valley of the River Magra to protect the valley and an ancient ford below. The village was just beginning to awaken as I walked through its narrow streets. It had been a warm and muggy night but this morning it was a little fresher as I

Distance: 24.3 km – Elevation +700 m -670 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 31 degrees It was 7.00 am as I passed by Sarzana Cathedral – the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, and it was closed as it was last evening. I passed, on the way out of town, the Sarzana fortress – the Fortezza Castruccio Castracani which was also closed. Soon I was in open countryside with wide views across the wooded valley to

Distance: 24.1 km – Elevation +30 m -80 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 31 degrees I enjoyed a good breakfast before leaving the hotel at 8.00 am to wend my way through the back streets of Massa to reach the sea, a walk of close to 6 kilometres. Local residents were out for a morning stroll and as I walked through one of the neighbourhoods a gentleman with a long loaf of bread under one arm

Distance: 24.2 km – Elevation +110 m -100 m Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 30 degrees I used Google Maps to plot my route to my abode for the next three days, the Villa la Donga in Lucca. I felt relaxed and happy in the feeling of looking forward to my time of rest in Lucca. The route from my hotel first took along a path close to the sea, not a good option as the path