A grueling day across the swampy flats of Lombardi. After exhausting Egret jokes (why does the egret cross the road? because he has no regrets; and Paula’s: why did the egret cross the road? She was following an e-male chain) we settled into the zen state punctuated by the rhythmic crunch of stepping along the gravel pathway. To the north the horizon rises to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, including a stunning view of mount Rosa.
We stop at Santa Maria della Via Francigena, think of a rest area for pilgrims that hasn’t been used for centuries, for lunch of sandwiches, cherries and apricots, we set off again toward Vercelli, the capital of the rice trade in Italy. At about the eighth hour our joints and muscles start whispering alarm “how much longer do you think you can keep this up?” By hour nine there is open rebellion, “not one step more” and “whose crazy idea was this?” All is forgotten as we reach our destination where we sit down for a fine meal and some wine Tomorrow off to Mortara.
Walking the Via Francigena 
Still, those smiles, always there! Honestly, I don’t know how you do it. Wouldn’t it be nice if this gave you a guaranteed entrance to heaven? But it’s all still Italy, how good is that?! And Mortara looks promising.
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Thank you for lovely posts – great to see you’re back on the road enjoying Italia! Good timing as you’ve missed the torrential rains … much love and happy marching xxx
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I’m following along, googling your stops. Vercelli had its up and downs as it evolved through Christian religious conflicts in the imperial age. Now it looks lovely and apparently thriving. You mention sandwiches. I don’t remember the breads in the piedmont region, but I’m sure there’s a great variety and all very good – certainly nothing like American sandwich bread. Lots of interesting little towns across Po valley. Be kind to your feet.
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“Why did the egret cross the road?
Hush, it’s an egret secret.”
Useful suggestion: Maybe try a seven-hour day?
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Keep it up! The food along the way seems to be’ the best part of the trip!
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Where do triumphant water fowl get their underwear?
Victorious egret
❤️❤️❤️
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Oh that is so good!!!
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My body aches just reading the post! ❤️
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What do you call the bird that is laying low in a storage unit in Palm Beach? Sorry (could not resist) It’s a Top Egret.
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Love it!!!
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