Si's Year Out! (Plus Europe! Plus Morocco!): Sienna

Sienna is a beautiful city. Surrounded by huge walls, the cobbled centre consists of narrow streets that wind their way towards the main Piazza (square). We wandered along looking for this piazza and ended up stumbling round the corner of a narrow street to find ourselves looking over a huge open oval surrounded by magnificent buildings. At one corner of the square there was a random group of German student on a school trip. Five of them had happened to bring with them their musical instruments and had attracted a large crowd by playing lots of traditional German country music!

Continuing the theme that we seem to be following in every city in Italy, we went to see the main church. It’s easy to take these things for granted, especially after seeing so many amazing churches, but this one was once again spectacular. The main highlights were the beautiful stained glass windows and a multi-coloured library with huge books containing lovely artwork. There was also a box with a hand (and forearm) that had been covered in gold (not sure whose it was)....slightly odd to say the least!

After that we were walking towards the Piazza again and heard what sounded like drumming. When we made it back to the square we were greeted by a full procession of people wearing blue and white stripy leggings and waving blue flags with the emblem of one of the districts of Sienna!!! They marched around drumming as they went and all looked a bit miserable in the 35 degree heat - but put on a great show!

That evening we had organised to go horse riding through the vineyards from our campsite. We decided to leave an hour and three quarters for the hour journey back but when it was time to go back we realised that we didn't have a clue where we were! After power-walking round the city, locating the car, finding that I only had 50 minutes to get back and driving like a madman, we pulled up with a big dust cloud to the ranch. It was a beautiful evening and strolling through the fields and vineyards on our horses Jack and Daniel (along with two other people on Twix and Milkyway!) was a lovely end to the day.