Solstice

We drove nearly three hours through fog and cold to salute the Tyrrhenian Sea at Roccamare near Castiglione delle Pescaie. The sun broke through near Siena and shone low through the Maremma and the tight straight roads of the drained marshes north west of Grosseto. Castiglione was low key and splendid in the glittering stillness as we ate our sandwiches and coffee by the fishermen’s quay. Hundreds of over-wintering flamingoes and many egret and heron lit up the brackish waters of the Botarga.

The beach so regimented in the summer with umbrellas and sunbeds was empty but for some driftwood and evidence of the recent heavy storms.

We headed for back by 3pm and got pulled over by the Carabinieri who we’re checking up on something. We were home at 6pm having gotten snarled up in the Casentino’s factories emptying out. Couldn’t grumble though.

A long drive but well worth it as Christmas’ tight lockdown rushes near.