Day 19 Salso Maggoire to Berceto 45.06miles

Distance 45.07 miles

Av speed 10.97mph

Ride time 4hr6mins

Altitude up 3302 ft

Today was a big day for me. I was awaiting news, hopefully good news.

The morning was dark, grey and pretty cold considering we are in Italy, it had all the look of a day in which it was going to quite frankly; p**s it down!! So about an hour in, it duely bloomin p**sed it down. 

It was horrible and we got very cold, we stopped for a pizza lunch in Fornovo Di Taro, I was jealous of johns Calzone as it was full of steam and I wanted the warm steam!! I was so cold I was shaking, it's fair to say I wasn't expecting this in Italy and had come ill prepared for it.

I was glad when we spotted some hills as I wanted a work out to warm up. 

Despite the weather I spotted some great birds 3 small herons flew over the road and I'm pretty sure they were bitterns, and I also spotted a beautiful red-footed falcon.

(Red footed falcon- not my photo)

The news came in mid afternoon during the rain, Hayley's had a 12 week scan, everything is as it should be, due date 12th of feb so I'm saying it will be late because it's a genders and will be born on valentines day I hope!! I'm mega pleased anyway.

With the good news the rain stopped and we made our way to the town of Bercetto via a Bloomin massive 8 mile hill we climbed around 1000metres up it's winding hairpins. Got into town, enjoyed an ice cream; as we were now warm, then found the campsite.

As our tent is soaked through we asked it they had any cabins. The didn't, then they did, and after a lot of arguing in italian (between themselves we can't argue in italian!) they gave us a cabin, it seems like it's someone's holiday cabin though and has all their stuff in, we think the campsite owners just want the extra money and so have been naughty and we shouldn't be in there. The cabin's owners are clearly devote Catholics, and may well be 7 foot tall too as the bench and table outside made us feel 7 years old. Anyway I'm waiting for a 7ft italian monk to turn up and turf us out at 2am. 

(A spooky tunnel we passed through, it was the fastest I've seen john move)

(Big hills)

(Steep drops - I didn't take this while cycling Hayley don't worry ;) )

(Ice cream at the top of the hill: ideal)

I cooked, overdid it on the pesto though, john stole my flip flops to go to the washrooms, in doing so I feel he crossed a barrier, you know; broke an unwritten rule, so I'm shaming him on here. In fairness though he did flex them with socks and his shoes are soaked through.

As I write this there are two annoying italian teenagers making wierd noises and flirting! Makes me miss work! NOT.

Much love! Good day despite the weather!