Third day on the way

We just loved our afternoon/evening at Saint Albinos. Peaceful solitude, except for a couple of loud "cracks" as we were settling down to sleep. One of us managed to snap out a couple of slats from the folding bed, to hoots of laughter from the other 2. "Molto pelegrino" was quote of the day for day 3.

Soon after 7 we were walking through misty trails with the full moon behind us and red sun before. Stunningly beautiful, and we had the sense that this is what we had dreamed it would be like.

In Tremollo we encountered Carlo, riding his Italian tri-colour bicycle, and he recognized us as pilgrims, took us back to his office/home and gave us water, fruit juice and pilgrim souvenirs. After this refreshing break he took us to the outskirts of his town, and we continued on country trails. While picnicking on focaccia, mascapone, salami and grapes he turned up again to check we were doing well.

At this stage 20 km seems to be our limit, we caught a bus the last 7 km from Garlasco to Gropello and settled into quite a different parish house here. Blister repair done, Tim is about to bus back into Garlasco now to complete the day's walk. Soph and I are quite content to accept 22km as a most reasonable accomplishment for the day.

We are having plenty of laughs along the way, and little things, like being stopped by 2 schoolboys in Mortara, asking us if we are walking to Rome, cheer us up.

Hope you are all well and happy, with love, Merran, Frank and Gina.