Date: Sunday 12 August
Distance covered to Rome: 194.9/1027km
Terrain: pancake flat
Overnight: La Casa Colonello, €60
Feeling: pretty amazed that I completed nearly a fifth of the walk.
I had the best night’s sleep of the whole journey last night. It may have had something to do with yesterday’s distance, but I suspect it related more to the very large beer (0.79c) I rewarded myself with at dinner. I shared the ostello room with a lovely young man (am I sounding old?) from Scotland called Liam. He is walking northwards on the via, so it was good to compare notes on the path so far. I was interested to see that his backpack was actually bigger than mine and he wasn’t using walking poles. I warned him about day 3 and I hope he takes extra care if he does decide to attempt it.
Corn as far as the eye could see this morning, which wasn’t very far when you consider it is 9ft high! Then it was corn and rice, and then just rice. Liam had warned me about the mosquitoes and I had the Aeroguard at the ready! They were definitely hungry!
I found a cafe, inhaled a coffee and was ready for the last 17km into Vercelli. As I left the village I was pleased to see another walker ahead. She turned, waved and waited for me to catch up. Fulvia has walked from the Great Saint Bernard Pass with her schnauzer dog for company and today was their last day. It would add a whole other layer of complexity to the walk to have a dog as company, but Fulvia wouldn’t have it any other way.
The time passed quickly as we talked all the way into Vercelli, and you wouldn’t believe the coincidence, that we were booked into the same little hotel.
A nice day, good company, and a trip to the laundromat meant sweet-smelling clothes for the first time in a week!
Tip of the day: kick off the boots, it’s a rest day!
Life...one big adventure 
Enjoy the rest! You’ve earned it!
Loving all your posts, as always, a real treat to read – not to mention the gorgeous pics 🙂
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Just packing the last few things into the pack ready to step out again tomorrow. It has been a lovely relaxing day. Take care, x
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Melanie, oh I am enjoying your posts so much. What beautiful country as well. When are you joining up with Ross? And are you finding it more expensive than Spain or Portugal? I see you spent 60eu on your last hotel room, did you have a luxury suite? Keep up the great work. I am definitely enjoying your humorous bits!!!!
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Hi Lue. Not meeting up with Ross until mid-September so that is something nice to look forward to. It is slightly more expensive here than Spain, but if you use the supermarkets you can eat quite cheaply. No, no luxury suite. Just a very comfortable room with breakfast. You must be getting excited to be tying on your walking shoes too! Melx
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Hi Mel! Am so glad you have had some better days. In fact they sound like wonderful days. We are enjoying your posts so much and beautiful photos. Very inspiring. Hope the thunder storms stay away tho! Go girl!! Xx
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Thanks Kerry. Only a few more flat days left and then the hills start….gulp….
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Enjoy the rest day. You’re in Italy, I should think that carb loading is on the cards today😁. Also I’m with you, I love wash day where everything smells so fresh and sweet. It makes me wonder about my olfactory senses getting use to the smells on those other days 🤭
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It is a wonderful feeling to wake up and know you don’t have to tie your boots on!
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Great travelogue Mel. Glad you’ve found your rythm and walk “philosophy”. Enjoying the journey with you. x
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Thanks Nella…..just like a whole lot of Park Runs strung together! 🙂
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Extraordinary sunset! So beautiful. Glad to hear you had company today and you are going to take a REST day!!!!
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Sunrise! They are all sunrises because I am asleep before the sun sets!!! 🙂
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