14 May 2009,  Cerignola (Foggia) – (From Sam) We managed to get out the door quite early this morning and hit the roads before the sun began to really beat down. It is quite a nice sensation to get out before the streets are filled with cars.

Ms 40k set the pace early and we looked to be pushing for another group record in terms of speed, although the ever rising sun put an end to that. We did well to keep fluids high and stopped briefly for lunch and a short power nap under the shade of a tall tree. One very noticeable and beautiful sight throughout today’s walk was the endless fields of poppy flowers. The red contrast over the green fields is breathtaking. 

We arrived in the centre of Cerignola a little after 3pm and, for the first time in what seems like an eternity, we felt like we were actually in a city rather than a micro-town. The cathedral (Duomo Tonti – after the wealthy Paolo Tonti, who donated the money required for construction) is an amazing structure, especially considering the 61 years that passed between commencement of construction and its inauguration on 14 September 1934.

Toilet seat report – we all, fortunately, have toilet seats today. We were not so lucky last night in the Ascoli Satriano’s Hotel Aurora where Elina and I had a room that (i) looked much like the inside of a shipping container, (ii) had a seat-less toilet that didn’t flush, (iii) had a piece of glass glued to the wall designed to function as a bathroom window but only covering half the required space, (iv) had scotch tape holding together some of the wall trimmings and (iv) boasted shriveled up ceiling panels, almost as if they’d melted in the hot summer sun. Despite having a similar room, Eric was upbeat about his bathroom that had a shower with no doors, walls or curtains that was conveniently placed between the toilet and the bidet. As he explained it, he could “go to the bathroom, shower and use the bidet at the same time.”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have made donations to our chosen charity, Cricket Without Boundaries. We have hit £1,100, which is a great total and will go a long way to assisting communities in Africa. If you haven’t donate yet, and would like to, please visit www.justgiving.com/ilcammino. The site is totally secure and easy to use.