1 May 2022
Our last day before a well-deserved rest day!
We had a similar problem of fast busy roads as we left Vercelli, but soon found a quiet route through the rice paddies! A coffee stop at Arborio! We saw no evidence of Risotto…but this is the town after which the famous rice is named!
And shortly thereafter we headed off road for the first time…getting well misdirected by Mr Google…and having to back-track. But it was a great diversion..and we eventually found the right track!
Once back on the road…it was a pleasant 20km ride to lake Orta…and its jewel Orta San Giulio. Sun shining…and a real picture..! Busy busy place…as the bikers (motor) from nearby Milan and Turin flooded in.
We celebrated with an afternoon beer in the main square…for this was the end of ‘Stage One’! And the end really of the splinter test! The bum is holding up! 391.5km of distance….3.48km of ascent!
We had a booked a lovely apartment…down the road in Peddenasco. And our arrival reminded us of the region’s devastation from Covid. The host proudly presents photos of himself dressed up to the nines…sterilising the place between visitors! Extraordinary really!
But today…May Day is unmasking day in Italy. the last day masks are required to be worn (indoors only!).
So what of Covid in Italy? If you did not know…you would not know. Life is back to normal. Masks occasionally worn by the elderly…but that is the rare exception. Fingers crossed things can stay this way as Covid changes from pandemic to flu-like endemic (except in China!).
Lovely meal tonight…and I was delighted to to find Tagliata in the menu. What a great dish!! Strips of rare beef/veal on a bed of rocket…with Parmesan and citrus dressing!
