A long, pleasant stage, primarily walking on a poppy lined dike close to the river Po.
The B&B had an excellent breakfast and I was met by a warm and sunny morning as I left the B&B.
A couple of kilometers through the outskirts of Piacenza, passing the station, before crossing the ca. 2km long bridge over the railway track and the river Po.
Leaving the bridge, I was back on the Via Emilia, but on what I assume is a dike above the road, to stop flooding of the Po. I walked along the dike for ca. 10m with great views over the surrounding countryside. As for the past couple of days, I walked primarily through agricultural fields, many of which have already been sown.
The route was many places lined by poppies, their red leaves standing out against the green grass.
Again it was hot and open. One could see for miles across the flat countryside, whichever way one looked – but surprisingly saw very little of the Po river.
I took a break in Valloria on a bench close to the church. A funeral had just taken place, and the mourners were leaving the church, almost only men. I’d hoped for a bar, but there were no services at all on this stage, until then end.
There were white fluffy cotton-like seeds from Popel trees flying everywhere.
For pilgrims walking south, this stage normally starts in Ora Lita. Walkers catch a ferry across the Po river, taking them further south and ending on the opposite (southern) bank from where I walked, and they continue to Piacenza. However, the ferry only sails once a day, early morning, so I needed to take the northern bank, as there are very few bridges across the Po river – at least in this area. Therefore, I hadn’t expected to meet any walkers, as those going south usually take the ferry. But I met one, Sergio, an Italian walking to Fornovo, from where he will continue next year.
I took a break in the shade next to a flock of sheep, and then fell over the strap of my camera as I tried to rearrange a sock whilst walking. I passed the dock where the walkers are ferried across the Po, it looked like they were building a bridge. I passed a marker showing how high the Po river has risen over the years, the highest, over 7 meters, in 1917.
I left the Po river and walked along the Lambro river towards Lambrinia, with great views of Ora Lita. It was difficult finding accommodation for tonight, so I decided I would take the train to Pavia, where I will have a base for 3 nights, taking the train back and forth.
As I was crossing the river, 2 minutes from Lambrinia station, the train passed by. The next one was in an hour. I took a break at the bar at the station, and was surprised upon leaving at the number of car transport carries on the road. I soon found out why, as I continued towards the next station. There was a car storage site, absolutely massive with place for 4.000 new cars and vans of different makes all lined up and ready to be transported to new owners. The site was at least 1,5km long by 500m.
I continued along a small canal to the next station Chignolo Po, famous for its castle. I had 15 minutes to spare before the train arrived. I was a bit shattered after almost 32kms, for 90% on tarmac, and on a day where temperatures were in the high 20’s. I couldn’t work out how to buy a ticket, but luckily there was a conductor on board.
The train took around 40 minutes, stopping at all stations, and I arrive at the small flat I was staying at 5pm, just at the time I had arranged with the owner.
All in all a nice stage.