Bob and Ann in Italy 2011

Old Roman Theater

At Dinner with Jennifer Hocking, Jim Beattie, Matt Wathen, Ruth Maule, Darrell Athay

I wimped out today. I started riding with Matt Wathen, Tim Presar and Jerry Beckett on a loop through San Gimignano . My legs felt a bit tired, my throat was sore and my stomach was complaining about the change in cuisine. So I rode as far as the mobile pork vendor and turned around. It was a short ride, but it was also a good workout.

Back in Volterra, I cleaned up, did my internet thing and then went on a walk with Tom Leever so we could preview the restaurants that Julie Leever lined up for dinner. We stopped at one for pizza and were joined by Hal and Kathy Bass who had just returned from their out-and-back ride. (They went a little farther than I did).

After lunch I went with Hal and Kathy to the old Roman Theater. Then I wandered through the streets back to the hotel. While sitting in the lobby, I greeted the riders coming back from the San Gimignano loop. They were very hot and tired. I’m convinced that I made a good decision by cutting my ride short. The temperature in Volterra was very pleasant, but it was hot on the road.

Dinner tonight was at Ristorante Don Beta, a very busy restaurant. When we sat down, there were not many customers, but the restaurant filled up fast. The first course arrived quickly but the second course took over 30 minutes. When we were finished, we asked for the check several times with no result. Jennifer finally chased down a waitress and paid the bill at the cash register. I had a good meal, though - excellent grilled shell fish and a mixed salad. We learned about the local culture tonight.

We got back to the hotel at 10:00.

This was the day’s route.