Struggling above rice fields

Uncategorized, Via Francigena 2022

Our first full day of walking was highly anticipated but proved to be unexpectedly challenging.

Strong wind blowing left to right over rice stubble fields.

We left Vercelli enjoying sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. Soon, however, we were walking on top of the high dike above flooded rice fields.

Alps over our left shoulders were the source of cool, gusty winds with no wind breaks for hundreds of kilometers.

Anne struggled against the wind and didn’t have her backpack adjusted correctly, which made her pack act like a sail. With the hurting wind, we only managed ten kilometers in almost five hours. We took a local train for the final eight km to Robbio, where the only accommodation was the municipal hostel, sharing space with police and fire vehicles.

After a phone call and a short wait, the caretaker arrived to let us in through the arched brown door.
Hostel was above parking for municipal vehicles. When we heard a siren we were told that we did not need to evacuate: it would be notice for the pompiers (firefighters).
Dreaded bunk beds… but luckily there were no other guests that night and we each had a bed on the floor; no climbing required.

When we went to Saturday vigil mass at Santo Stephano in Robbio, we chatted with some locals, one of whom turned out to be the priest in mufti. At the end of the celebration, he introduced us as pilgrims to the congregation, so we became mini-celebrities for a few minutes.

We feel asleep listening to the pigeons.

CONTACTING US AS WE TRAVEL: Our US telephone numbers (voice and text) have been disconnected. You can email us at our regular Gmail addresses. Wifi here is sporadic. It may take a while for us to respond. Currently our time zone is six hours ahead of US Eastern Time.

May you be blessed with peace and health.

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