Thursday 26th May - Watch out..,. Mossies about!!

I was up fairly early, and left the comfortable Ivrea canoe club hostel before 8 am, and made my way through the busy suburbs of Ivrea - I noticed that even at 8 am the temperature was already 18C!! A hot day in prospect .. 
I was soon making my way through the vineyards on the outskirts of town, and soon into the surrounding fields:

and later passing a small lake, and forests, with bullfrogs croaking from the streams and drainage ditches:

By now the mosquitoes were starting to appear, with regular 'dive bomb' attacks, but I had some repellent to save me... Although not completely!! I think the area I'm travelling in for the next few days is a busy area for them!!

As I wandered through Bollengo I found this lovely 'VF Reststop'... Which I took full advantage of..., cooling, filling my water bottles and having a snack. An older lady going into the nearby cemetery joked with me... And told me to get a cap on! (I think!) 

Late morning I came across the ancient Knight Templars church of SS Peter & Paul... Sadly closed (as are lots of the small churches)

I continued on through Palazzo Canavese, with its clock tower straddling the road,

by now I was losing the Alpine feel to the villages, and seeing more of the Italian style...

... And, it was hot!! - although some high cloud cooled it slightly, but made it more humid, I just couldn't win!! 

By early afternoon, I reached the ruined ancient church at Geisun:

... I didn't know what was hotter me, or the old bricks and murals!! 

I went through Piverone, where I could have stopped at a hostel, but had decided to go to Lake Viverone, which I made it to by around 3 o'clock... Hot, thirsty, and ready for a shower!! 
I negotiated a reasonable deal at the Royal Hotel, and cooled down in a big room, with a balcony overlooking the Lake:
















Early evening I went out for a look round the area,

I had a welcome beer overlooking the lake, and then later had a great meal with the owner and friends at the Hotel Lido, next door, where we all spent the evening eating, drinking and discussing the Via Francigena... In a strange mixture of Italian, shrugs... And occasional bits of Pidgin English!! 

I had wanted to see the sunset over the lake, however missed it whilst inside the Hotel restaurant!! 
I did however, negotiate some good room rates for pilgrims at the Hotel - a worthwhile night!!