Living the Dream in Puglia
Italy (Puglia) Stage 15 – Rodi Garganico to San Severo 64 Km (Thu 17 May 2018)
Weather: 13⁰C min – 24⁰C max, clear and sunny
“The more you dream the farther you get.” ~ Unknown
Another sunny, mild, late spring day in Puglia, so I was keen to get on the road early. My departure was delayed a little though, because as I was clipping my panniers onto my bicycle I met the two young Swiss ladies who zoomed past me up the hill yesterday. As you do when you meet other bicycle tourers, we had a good chat and swapped stories. They had done the same Grand Tour of Puglia, but finishing at Rodi.
Eventually I was cruising along the smooth straight road beside the sea, headed towards San Severo. I had been a bit concerned about riding on a Strade Satale road, but the SS89 had very little traffic this morning and, to my delight, was lined with eucalyptus trees. Just like being back in Australia!
After turning off onto an even quieter SP road, I passed through rich agricultural country featuring crops such as onions and legumes of unknown type. Irrigation pumps were driven by pulleys on the back of tractors, reminding me of my father’s farm at Talgarno.
Wild flowers grew by the roadside, mainly mauve thistle flowers and (of course) brilliant red poppies. Having seen a one metre long dead black snake on the road, I was not tempted to stray into the long grass in search of a better photo angle.
When I came to Apricena, the only town I passed through in the whole 64 Km, I stopped at a bar cafe for lunch (the normal prosciutto panini washed down with a cappuccino, followed by a creme-filled Brioche).
For the final 15 Km from Apricino I had exclusive use of narrow, but sealed, country roads, making great riding through wheat fields, green pastures, grapevines, olive groves, and more roadside flowers.
Not far from San Severo I came across a large flock of bell-wearing goats, sounding like a percussion orchestra as they were hurried along by a dog.
Arriving at San Severo at 2:15 pm I was greeted by a man who actually speaks English! Augers well for a good overnight stay.
Trust you to find time to talk to couple of ladies, BB. Still the gentleman. Stay safe mate.
LOL
Don’t dream too much you may pass your destination. I am sure that you were told not to talk to strangers (LOL)
Cows, tractors and wildflowers galore!! Wish I was there 🙂
You would have loved it. There was even a heard of goats wearing cowbells.