Today was 13 miles (plus a 3 mile boat ride) and 400′ of climbing. Totals are 43 miles walked and 1100′ climbed.

Yesterday, during the downpour, water got into Bill’s charging port. On trying to charge the phone last night, the phone was not happy. Some time and dessicant later, it was back up and running. This afternoon, it is complaining again. More time and more dessicant and hopefully it will stay happy.

The start of today.

Today’s stage crosses the Po river,  the boundary between the Lombardia region of Italy and the Emilia/Romagna region. This crossing was a significant challenge for Archbishop Sederic in 990, and continues to be an important event for modern Pilgrims.

For the last 30 years, a boatman, Danilo, had provided a boat passage for many of the Pilgrims.

The journey lasts for about 3 miles, downstream on the Po.

Once on the far shore, you must go to Danilo’s home to get your credential stamped and your “vitals” entered into his book of records.

He now has 5 volumes of his book of records

These books contain the story of every passenger he ferried across the Po for more than 30 years. This was a must-see event!

After the river crossing, another 10 miles of farms and towns and cities remained. We are now in our B&B, cleaning up and preparing for tomorrow’s journey … and hoping the phone dries out! Enough for now!