With a flat, somewhat easier ride today, the team recovered their wits after the trials of yesterday. There were still headwinds and the weather was cooler than down south, but they did find St. Anthony of Padova (Padua), the patron saint of lost things. Anthony used to preach to the fish and that may well have been what inspired the statue seen fishing above that Paul got very friendly with in Codigoro…he has been away from home for 4 weeks now!
In a first for the Ride Route 20 team, their Komoot software took them on a ferry ride. Chris de Burgh fans will be pleased to know that Paul did pay the ferryman and only at the end of the voyage! Komoot also took them on yet another cross-country escapade. I think we now have a definition for “to be Komooted”! You can see above that Richard S found this somewhat challenging, although he did conquer the countryside in the end!
They saw wonderful wildlife at the lagoons of the Po Delta (flamingos, spoonbills and avocets all in the above photos).
There is no doubt that the highlight of the day was the Basilica in Padua. A truly exquisite building, where the tongue, jaw and vocal chords of the Saint are displayed. And parts of Padua are really Venice-like, which is just up the road….
In another first, John managed to get locked out of the accommodation not once but twice. Lady Bracknell might well have commented that to get locked out once may be regarded as misfortune. To get locked out twice looks like carelessness!
Dinner was a charcuterie and cheese platter with 2 Tortellini starters, followed by 2 excellent steaks which included Bison from Canada and 2 more Tortellini pastas, this time with blueberries. Dolce (desserts) were Fig and Chocolates and 2 tarts (of the edible variety and not a reflection on the local ladies!). The wine was a Carlotto Merlot by Conte Emo Capodilista.
They now only have two days left and the data points are remarkable. They will break through 2,000 miles tomorrow and they have averaged a daily distance of 76 miles (121km) and elevation of 3,366 feet (1,034m). Given they’re no spring chickens, that is remarkable!
Data: 86 miles (137km), elevation 547 feet (166m). Cumulative: 1,974 miles (3,158km), elevation 87,524 feet (26,878m).