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As we were having our first coffee of the day…Iain was approached by an old woman who gave him a bunch of greenery she had collected. “For a beautiful boy”…or words to that effect!!
Mad as a snake…..but completely taken with Iain!! And continued to load us up with more and more shrubbery she picked off all the street-side plants!…despite our protestations!
Once we got going properly, it was a very up and down day…but much more up than down it turned out as we climbed to 800 metres or so. First batteries were exhausted…and we were nowhere near half way there! “Battery- stress”….something you have to live with.
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But then followed the most wonderful descent, which went on for a full 25kms or so. The perfect gradient to allow a brake-free ride at around 40km/h…with gentle corners, not requiring you to slow down. Really exhilarating…and of course by the end of it…we were well over half way…with full second batteries! One of the most delicious descents ever!
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Rain had been threatening all day…..with the sun peeping through and brightening up the typical Tuscan landscape. But we kept ahead of it…and arrived in Arezzo in good time at around 1.30…for our first properly chilled afternoon in a lovely spacious apartment, just off the main square.
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Our host was great…and so enthusiastic about Arezzo! I had heard of it before, but never visited (we are still just in Tuscany). Founded before Rome (one of the greatest of the Etruscan cities)…and one of the birthplaces of the Renaissance (Michelangelo was born nearby!). Good vibe to town with an extraordinary main square built on a steep slope, I always thought the pitch of Siena’s Campo was unusual…but this was in a different league!!
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It did not take long however for the clouds to catch up, and a spectacular thunderstorm ensued…dropping the temperature to a bone-chilling nine degrees! (…well, bone-chilling in shorts of course!). It did drop the spirits somewhat….but we found a wee restaurant with good heaters..for local stew and ricotta and spinach balls! A nice change from pizza!
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Good to hear cycling doesn’t dampen your allure Iain!
Arezzo looks wonderful