day 30 - Robbio to Tremello

  • Day 30 - day 9 for 2023
  • Thursday, 21 September  
  • Robbio to Tremello
  • 723 km to Day 29                       (211 km for 2023)
  •   28 km for today
  • 751 km on my Via Francigena (239 km for 2023)

I rise about 06h and leave the Community hostel about 07h30, having heated and eaten a cachet of Rizzoli integrale.

The route to Mortara will follow the Via Francigena route almost exactly.  Simple explanation: it is shorter than the road by about 6 km or about 90 fewer minutes walking. 

Surprise: most of the road is sealed and the unsealed bits are not rough, so the going is good. 

On both sides I see crops of not great height.  I am reminded of wheat, but this is much shorter.  And there is an abundance on water reticulation channels.

About 09h is Nicorvo and a café and the first coffee of the day. Near the counter are vacuum sealed packs of rice.  Looking at the owner I point at the packs and then sweep my hand around.  He nods expressively, and sweeps his hand around also.  On leaving the village, I go into the chapel and say the morning office. 

The flat road entices me back and the town of Albanese comes up about 10h30.  Time for a quick cold drink and back on the sealed road to Mortara.

The roads are generally good and the traffic generally light.   So, I practice my wave and get many good responses. 

Then someone stops and, using a translation app, asks if I need assistance. I tell him what I am doing and the reaction and he is content.

Mortara comes up before 12 noon and I am soon seated with a large cappuccino and brioche marmelittia.

Here I look at accommodation for tonight in Tremello and ring one. We talk in simple terms, I am booked in and please be here by 16h.  It is 12 km and I have about 3 hours.

Before setting off a bottle of Moretti is called for.

I make good progress, a car stops: the occupants want to know about the kilt and offer me a ride to Tremello.  We chat on the way and I arrive.

From the works of art on the walls, the lady owner has some skills.  The property is named The House of the Nocciolo.

I do another wash, of today's clothes, and have a meal.

My choice of restart, Vercelli, could not have been better.


And so to bed.

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