Alison and Alison and the art of re-tyrement

Cycling adventures in retirement

Day 2 Lecce to Otranto

Distance 24.2 miles

Temperature 35 degrees

Yesterday evening we were told by the staff at the Duomo that we could get our stamp for the Credenziale from 8.00am in the Cathedral bookshop. We arrive at the bookshop at 8.40 am – it is closed. On opening we are told to get our stamps from the cathedral. We go back to the Cathedral and are turned away and told to go to the book store. We return to the book store once more and our Credeziales are stamped. No wonder we are confused.

Yesterday we admired the statue of Saint’Oronzo in the square. The Roman amphitheatre is directly behind it but we didn’t see it.
How did we miss it? Either delirium due to heat stroke or my new glasses are not quite right. It was closed of course.
Back to the Cathedral where we see Guests at a wedding in formal military uniform. The Italians are immaculate even in 35 degree heat. Impressive.
Inside the Cathedral is dressed for the wedding.
The simple altar in the crypt. Remains of the original Roman church can be seen.

There seems to be a theme emerging. A Carabiniere starts talking to Alison. We wonder if we are under surveillance. We are half way through our days ride and he cannot believe we are cycling to Otranto today. Or indeed onto Rome – particularly as we are heading south in the wrong direction.

We cycle through miles of olive groves and scrub. Challenging in the heat.
We arrive in Otranto and immediately feel as if we are on holiday.

Tomorrow we should get to the start of our journey.

No stamps today. Tomorrow we are on a mission to fill the Credenziale.

Alison is busy with her Duolingo and doing great work. I am absorbing it by osmosis from her. Gd l

alisonmiddleditch

One response to “Day 2 Lecce to Otranto”

  1. chrisincarshalton avatar
    chrisincarshalton

    I have a feeling this is going to be a great trip! With Al’s new grasp of the local language, what could possibly go wrong? The only concern I have is Al’s interest

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