Santa Cristina

One of those days when the hostess puts out some bits and pieces the night before in your room for your breakfast and you help yourself before you leave. Sometimes it is good, sometimes not so much. Today was a little light but boosted by a half melon which I have been carrying around for the last day and a half. Really needed to eat or ditch as it weighed 700gms.

Left by 8am and Pavia was still very quiet for my walk out.

Some of you may have noticed my “fondness” for dogs. I come across many of them on the walk and I have noticed a difference between country dogs and town dogs. Town dogs are just about ok. It isn’t really the dog so much as their owners. They keep the hounds in the garden roaming free to terrorise passers-by but crucially from behind a solid fence. So apart from irritating loud barking I am safe. But out in the country they are often allowed to roam free. Just waiting for the next pilgrim. Highlight of their day I suspect. While I don’t mind being a highlight I would rather I wasn’t a mutt's highlight.

Although today was longer than yesterday it ended up being a bit easier. Occasional shade, less traffic, several rest stops and a slight wind all helped.
Churches are proving wonderful rest stops. Unlike bars, cafes and restaurants they are invariably open. Limited menus admittedly.

I have noticed while looking back at previous photos that each church looks very like every previous one. Some are bigger than others certainly but there is a definite theme going on. I might just sneak a photo of a previous one in some time just to see if anyone spots it. You have been warned.

Wondered this morning whether it was ok to use them as somewhere to sit while I put my sun tan lotion on. No one else there to ask.

In a hostel tonight so I think it will be hot. No air-conditioning or even a fan. The guy running it thoughtfully put us three pilgrims in different rooms but I came back from dinner to find that 3 more had arrived and had all joined me. Fab. Just what I need.

Italians, so almost certainly they are just doing a wee section of the route.
No choice for dinner. Just one pizzeria in town. It was fine but already getting a little repetitious.Read more