Berceto

I feel I have to mention last night’s dinner. Apart from my social ineptitude it was a splendid meal except for the first dish. In Italy this seems to be a plate of something filling like pasta or risotto so that you don’t want too much of the second dish, typically meat or fish. That’s fine except last night we got gnocchi. Made by the hostess herself and I am sure it was a fine example but the trouble is there is no space in my world for the stuff. It just doesn’t float my boat or ring my bell or whatever other silly phrase you fancy. Just no need. At all. Couldn’t come close to finishing it.

I feel better for that. Sorry. But needed said I thought.

Breakfast was grand. Even included a boiled egg. The Dutch couple were so taken with my company at dinner that they opted for a 8.30am sitting after hearing my request for 7.15am. Thus ensuring we didn’t meet at all as I was on my way at the back of 8am. Lovely cool morning. Perfect conditions if you ever feel the desire to lug a bag up a hill or two. Didn’t stop copious perspiration of course.

Had the usual cha-cha nonsense with another couple of pilgrims. I have mentioned them already, a Swiss girl and a guy who doesn’t like sleeping below me. They are both going about the same speed for about the same distance as myself so we stay in the same town or village and start out at roughly the same time. I started catching up with the guy, then I took a slightly unofficial route and ended up ahead, powered away so as not to have to talk but after a while started catching up with her. Decided to go off route for a comfort break and let them both get ahead. The one good thing is they seem as happy not speaking to me as I am not speaking to them.

The combination of dinner, decent breakfast and a cooler day meant I was still in good shape on arrival. In a BnB and I opted for the in-house dinner when offered. Bit hit or miss but so much easier than wandering about trying to find somewhere I like the look of. Went for cream of vegetable soup which was very good and a pleasant change from pasta. But then had sausage which came with a salad. Trouble was the sausages were somewhat dry and they were literally 2 sausage-shaped burger things with nothing else. The salad was just chopped cabbage. Crying out for a poke of chips and unlimited tomato sauce. Had to resort to sneaking one of them into a napkin and stuffing into my pocket for disposal tomorrow. Didn’t want to offend by leaving it on my plate.Read more