VIb.24    Section Cascina de Spedaletto - Pistoia  

Today I wanted to take the train to Pistoia for resupply and than back to the trail. I started early hiking along the crest. Most of the trail was in good condition and I progressed well. There where plenty of good views down into the valley, the sun was shining mot of the time and it was reasonably warm. The few bad parts did not stop me from arriving early enough at Pracchia for the train to take me to Pistoia. Well they where working on the line and instead a bus servcie was set up.

Soon enough the bus arrived. I got on the bus and wanted to buy a ticket for the ride into town. The driver did not want to accept cash nor a creditcard or a debitcard or any other means of payment. He just invited me on the bus without payment. It was a pleasent ride into town. When leaving the bus all passengers where checked for valid tickets. Of course I had none and explained why to the controller. He called his boss who spoke even better English. All talking and explaining and getting the driver involved was in vain. Then I should not have taken the bus. How then to get into town is my problem. So these highway robbers fined me for not having a ticket.

I was so annoyed I decided to stay in town. After checking up some bars I found one with working WIFI so I could get a room with booking.com. It was just listed by booking.com and I was the first user. The owner showed me the way to the nearest supermarket as well as the bar where I would get breakfast in the morning. It was included. The center of town was quite impressive. Down here in the valley it was really warm. I spend some time walking around the town center playing tourist.

View down into the valley from E1

View ahead as trail follows ridgeline

Poor rocky trail up the slope

Monument of Garibaldi on horse in Pistoia

Piazza del Duomo with tower in Pistoia