Day 441 4th October
49 miles (Sabbioni to Motta) Average speed 13 mph Top speed 81 mph
A fantastic day back on the bike, it’s great to be moving again.
I got up at 10 and had brekkie of cheese omelette, rolls and tea. I had a good chat with an Italian from Rome, who now lives in Kensington, and an Aussie, Canadian and two Austrians. I left the campsite at 11.45 and made good time to Padova on good flat roads along the river. In Padova it was rush hour, siesta time, 1.30, with lots of traffic and quite a few bikes too. I stopped at a run down derelict pub for a break and a pee in their car park and carried on til I took a cycle path along a river and enjoyed the ride so much that I didn’t realise I was going in the wrong direction . I soon corrected and found a Spar to buy lunch, get wifi and fill up water bottles. Then I headed for Abano Thermal town which was very rich with lots of expensive hotels.
I stopped to check out an archaeological dig and then carried on to to the next thermal town, Montegrotto, and then onto the canal cycle path where I stopped for lunch beside the impressive Catajo Castle, but it was closed.
I then went through the pretty Monselice and on to the campsite which is next to a large lake. I checked in with the very nice receptionist and set up my tent, then went into Este to buy some food for dinner. The lady in the shop spoke no English and I apologised for my lack of Italian. Eventually we got through with lots of pointing and I got some mince meat for dinner. Back at the campsite I cooked and had pasta with a beer and took a walk in the dark to see the lake.
In bed by 9 but glad to be on the move again.
Camping at Agriturismo Alba 10€