Friday 3rd June - Where, oh where... Are all the benches??

I was up at 6 am as I knew I had a long way to go - just short of 30 kms, so needed to get the bulk done before afternoon sunshine (or showers) 
So it was after some tea and biscuits I left the hostel at 645 am going into 'old Pavia' again, across the empty covered bridge, with good views up and down the misty Ticino river:

As I went through the empty streets I found an open bar for coffee and creme croissant - a nice start to the day... 
Pavia streets stretched out for some time, and several people stopped me asking whether I was on the VF, and whether I'd walked all the way from England? When I said I had they shook my hand 'Complimente'!! - an even nicer start to the day! 

I called into the church of St Peters, open very early, with people already inside praying... 

I eventually left the suburbs, through some country tracks, and then along minor roads, pounding the Tarmac as I went under the hot sun! 

As I went through the little village of St Leonardo, hungry and seemingly no shops around, I crossed the road from the church where mass was being celebrated... Straight into a fruit shop - great, 4 bananas please!! I then sat on the last bench I would see all day for my banana breakfast!! 

I kept going along under the hotter sun, bumping into another couple of pilgrims on the road as we walked - it seemed that more pilgrims had started at Pavia, a common start point... 

Late morning I found a bar in Torre de Negri for a sandwich, drink and ice cream... Before plodding on along the roads, quiet but nonetheless ... Hard on the feet, and hot! 

I was passing lots of open fields:

On through gravel quarries and as I passed along a canal, saw an Archimedes screw power plant similar to one at home (without all the safety guards!) 

By early afternoon the sun was very hot, and humid, so was very tiring as I saw in the distance my destination Santa Cristina... Which seemed to be on the horizon for ever, not getting any closer.... Or I was getting slower in the heat!! 

I got there just before 3 pm, and went to look at the church: 

I then settled in at the parish provided accomodation next door- very welcoming... Showered and dozed!! 

Not so far tomorrow, so shouldn't be as tough!