Last night, I had found a dead cockroach in my room. On top of that, the sun had been shining on my room the whole afternoon. So it was hot. But during the night, bugs left me alone, fresh air came in through the open window and I slept well. I was already awake before 7h, because today there was more than 28km to walk. Not a quiet morning in Belgioioso. There was a dog in trouble. It kept barking and all the others joined the concert. Soon there were people in the street to see what was going on. I felt for the dog.The first floor had a balcony, but looking at the cobwebs around the access door, it hadn't been used in a while. Normally breakfast was included in the price, but as expected there was nobody around this morning. I left the keys at reception and left this dodgy hotel. Still grateful the owner helped me out. The wide streets of Belgioioso were quiet this morning. On some fences, there was a sign that you had to look out for the dog and the owner with a drawing of a gun. This feels like Italy's far west.
Today's stage was pretty straightforward. Long trails through fields with from time to time a little village. Lot of the distance was covered on asphalt roads. Sometimes, there was a safer bike path I could follow. These bike paths are bizarre. They start in the middle of nowhere and also stop suddenly for no reason. First village I passed was Torre de Negri. There was a sign saying bar open, but the bar was closed. A tall water tower and an extremely decorated house are the highlights of this village. Through some fields, it continued to Costa de Nobili. Before, I passed a 20m deep sand quarry. The path goes completely around the big hole in the ground. The landscape is much dryer here. It was also hot. In the next days, a big heat wave is forcasted. Maybe something I have to explain to people living in England and Belgium because they haven't experienced it for a long time. A heat wave is when the sun is out and it gets very hot. The village of Santa Cristina e Bissone can be seen kilometers before you reach it. The path twists and turns to in the end reach the center. The baroque interior of the church is impressive and was the perfect spot for my lunch. On the terrace of a bar, some Italians were making lots of noise while playing cards. Normally, I should have walked until here yesterday. But surprisingly, the hostel here is closed until August 15th. In the afternoon, I still had to walk 16km. After 4km, I reached Miradolo Terme. There was a little playground here where I took a break in the shade. Behind the village lies a low hill. Nothing impressive, but the sign that the end of the flatlands is near. A bike path took me to Camporinaldo, a sand and gravel path to Chignolo Po. There is an impressive castle in that village. Sadly, it is private property and you can only see it from behind a fence. Suddenly something caught my attention. A supermarket, the chance to stock up on supplies. The owner saw me entering and almost gave me a private tour. Fruit? this way. Oh some cold drinks maybe? that way. He was so happy a pilgrim visited his store. He even offered me a free coffee. It was too much honour. But this break gave me extra force for the last part. After Lambrinia, I had to make a detour to cross the Lambro river over a bridge. A dyke road finally took me into Orio Litta. It was already passed 19h30 when I arrived. Surprisingly, Graziella was waiting for me in the street. She gave me a tour of the amazing pilgrim hostel here. She charged only 15 euro. Yesterday, there were eleven pilgrims, but tonight only two cyclists and they slept upstairs. So the downstairs dorm was for me. Or so I thought. Half an hour later, another couple arrived.The story of Mourat and Eminat was fascinating. His mother died of covid in Paris and was burried in Istanbul. Because of that, they walk Paris - Istanbul and are therefor now doing a part of the Via Francigena. He didn't have a backpack, but pulled a trolley on wheels of 17kg. Insane! We shared a great meal together. Before going to bed, I went outside for some fresh air. In the sports bar, people were playing kicker. The stars were out. Tomorrow a big day, 25km to reach Piacenza and to leave the rice fields behind.
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AuthorMy name is Dimitri and I'm turning 40 in 2023. Through the years, I have tried to live my dreams. Everything is possible, the sky is the limit as long as you believe in your dreams and work hard to make them happen. Do what you never did before. Go where you have never been before. It will be scary, but it will also be worth it! Archives
July 2024
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