Mat: Ugh. This is one of the hardest days cycling I've ever done. Really busy roads, heavy rain and strong headwinds. After 15km we abandoned the original plan because there were so many heavy trucks. We rode past a railway station but the next train was in two hours.
The next 25km were really hard work, we rode along a gravel track that sapped my will to live, and we ended up having lunch next to a water pumping station because there wasn't anywhere more interesting. After lunch, the weather improved a little and the roads got quieter.
We stopped for tea and snacks at a cafe 15km from our final destination, which were like manna from heaven.
Through it all, I'm still incredibly grateful that we get to explore this (usually) beautiful country and have this amazing adventure.
Yay we made it! The apartment is super lovely, well stocked and a big thunderstorm came in just as we walked through the door. Hail and everything!
We spent a few hours wandering around beautiful Mantua, then came back and made dinner. Later in the evening we discovered that all our clothes are stuck inside the washing machine. Eek!
Love, Kat & Mat x
This was a tough day. Really busy roads, heavy rain and strong headwinds. We changed our route because were so many heavy trucks but the alternative was gravel tracks. We rode past a railway station but the next train was in two hours.
Mantua was very impressive with a huge cathedral, enormous fort and many old buildings.
Even more impressive was all the free food and drink in our apartment! Unfortunately our clothes got trapped in the washing machine but the lovely owner came along at 11pm with his mother to free them. It turned out the machine stole a pair of Mat's pants and left holes in a couple of our clothes but we have so few we were glad to get them back.
