Instead of driving straight to the apartment we decided to visit a couple of places en route as check-in wasn't until after 1600 hours. Our first stop was San Miniato, one of the many fortified towns in the region and worth a visit according to our guide book. Parking within the centre of these old towns is for residents only and in fact in some towns driving through them incurs a fine (ZTL = Zona Traffico Limitato) so we were pleased to find an easily accessible, out of town, car park to safely leave the car and bags and have a wander round.
I think there was a lot more to see than we did, but it was still siesta time and everywhere was closed. So just a few pictures of things I've named from the internet.
Piazza della Repubblica
Frederick II Tower
A couple of views (there will be a lot of these over the next few days!!!)
Feeling thirsty we decided to stop for a quick beer/water before resuming our drive, unfortunately the bar we chose was just closing. We persuaded the waitress we'd only be very quick and she kindly served us (probably the quickest €5 she ever earned).
Walking back to the car, this garage had just opened the shutters and I wonder what all the trophies were for.
We set off again for Casole and enroute made a quick stop to photograph this field of sunflowers (still in bloom) just in case it was the only one we saw.
We'd inadvertently parked across the entrance to a stud and I could see horses being lunged in the distance - I'd have loved to go in and ask to take some photos but didn't have the nerve.
We stopped off at the nearest larger town to where we were staying to stock up with food for a few days and got to the gite about 1730 where our hosts were waiting for us - a charming couple who cannot do enough for us.
Dinner, a glass or two and bed - it's been a long day.