Today was our longest day excursion of our two weeks in Tuscany -- a drive tothe coastal city of Piombino in the Livorno province and then the ferry to the island of Elba and its largest city Portoferraio.
The boat ride was uneventful, a gorgeous day to be at sea.
After landing we wandered around town for a bit walking the streets that Napoleon Bonaparte once strolled, concluding that there was little to do on foot besides explore a fortress overlooking the harbor. We sympathized with Napoléon for wanting to get back to the mainland.
On our return trip home we stopped at the abandoned abbey of San Galgano and marveled at the sword in the stone in the nearby small church overlooking the ruins.
Legend has it that Galgano was a fierce warrior who forswore his evil days, taking vows to serve rather than kill and main his fellow man. And to prove his point he jammed his sword into a large stone, proving he was special indeed and worthy of sainthood. The sword is clearly visible today, under glass in the floor of the church.
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| heading for the ferry |
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| on board |
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| the harbor at Elba |
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| feeding the seagulls, never a good idea |
San Galgano.
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| the sword in the stone |
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