Another low key cycling today across the plain of the river Po to Parma, 43 miles of flat and easy cycling. We used bike paths for almost all the route and found company from other Sunday cyclists, the highest numbers since the Annecy bike paths. Most came out of Cremona, a city we had liked very much partly because there were bikes everywhere but also because of its beautiful old buildings and the general pace of life.

On days like this it is quite a skill to stop the brain from wandering back to work things or finding something stupid to fret about. I spent time thinking of Beatles songs, as yesterday’s busker had given us a medley, this time my theme was the daftest lyrics. But then I lost the words a bit so moved on to which have strings sections (in honour of Stradivari who worked in Cremona). Not very fruitful but being relaxed and doing 800 miles of cycling in 4 weeks takes this kind of brain distraction. When I asked Andy what he thinks about he said he is just concentrating on the navigation and making sure we don’t get lost or the wrong side of a motorway. He probably doesn’t need to know what I am thinking about then.

Anyway here we are in Parma, some kind of upgrade appears to have happened and we are in a 4* hotel with bellboys and luggage carriers for the bike panniers. Thank you booking.com. The main aim of the flat day’s cycling being to spend time in this highly recommended gem – we’ll see this evening and tomorrow!

Track of the day:
Albatross by Fleetwood Mac
Despite all the brain games this came to mind at some point and stayed, a favourite for old timers from the seventies.