Chatillon to Pont St. Martin 6/8/17

6/8/17 Sunday
Day 10

Chatillon- Arnad by bus ? 17.5 k
Arnad- Pont St.Martin ? 13.5 km

Cloudy, less heat early in the day

Take the punctual bus to Arnad at 0700 for a fee of 2 Euro.
Early breakfast of good coffee, croissants and orange juice. A supermarket conveniently situated adjacent to the breakfast bar sells us supplies.

In Arnad we walk up to the villages of Barme and Prouve but find Cicerone's instructions confusing. After directions from a local, we retrace our steps right back to where we started. We find our way to the Romanesque bridge which spans across the Dora Balthea and then follow a very long, straight road to Hone with views to the Fort Bard.
Once over the bridge at Hone we find ourselves on the cobbled roads of Bard with its antiquated arches and cellars.
We continue on the ancient Roman road and while stopping for a picnic in Donnas, we wave to the first pilgrims we've seen: two Germans and one Belgian. We drink beer at PSM with the Belgian called Matthew and walk with him to the Ostello. Return later for more beer and meet Italian librarian Nicola who lives in Rome, Italian Elena and her Indian boyfriend studying astrophysics, also in Rome.
Dinner is a traditionally Italian meal at a local Osterra; the menu is handwritten in a tiny note-book, the meal is served onto our plates from deep dishes, the company is interesting and loud.

I looked up from the pavement and my eye caught sight of a little girl on an apartment balcony dancing with her doll held up above her head.
I waved and smiled.
She did too.

2 Bus
6 Supermarket
7 Breakfast
14 Beers
15 Ostello
15 Dinner











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