Via Francigena 2017
This graphic was on the wall in our hostel last night. It shows the common places to stay along the VF with the distances between them shown with figures and the elevations shown graphically. Below it gives information about a hostel in each place. I think it is a pleasing graphic.
Edward Tufte is known for several books on the design of charts and coined the fun term “chart-junk” which this is not, in my opinion. I recommend all his books, facinating reading.
I am fascinated with the signage variation on the VF. It has so many different markers. This was the first time we have seen this one, maybe a one-off someone made. It was in front of the hostel we stayed in last night. I liked the pilgrim graphic a lot.
In Tuscany we are seeing Via Francigena trail markers like this one, little white tombstones. The Camino has similar markers although they are bigger and more post-like. Anyway, on the Camino pilgrims carry stones for people in their thoughts and place them on the markers. This was the first time we have seen this on the VF. The rounded tops don’t allow for many stones. This one had a cross beside it, the first time we have seen that. I’m not sure what it is meant to signify but it is clearly a handy place for stones.
Many trees in Spain and Italy are pollarded. And also in many other places in Europe, according to this Wikipedia article. Basically it looks like the branches are cut off at the trunk. Makes for some funny looking trees. But this red bud in bloom is kind of pretty.