D-1 Brindisi to Bologna

Wake just before the alarm at 5.40. Have had a pretty solid night's sleep, considering there is a road just the other side of my door. Did notice a few cars as I was getting off to sleep, and there was one group of drunken revellers that woke me. But they were Italian drunks, so reasonably civilised.
Relieved to find pans in the flat, so got breakfast going. Not a sharp knife in the place of course, but I always keep my Swiss army penknife well honed so non problema as we say in Italy. As Chris Hadfield says, never leave the planet without one.

And I must say my pasta with plum tomatoes was pretty good. A little cheese and fresh basil would have helped, but I was very pleased with my creation. That's quality tomatoes for you.
Finish packing and head for the station. Train showing as on time so I phone flat owner for key exchange. Due minuti. And indeed she is there two minutes later. Manage a broken conversation. I think I have told her I am from Manchester and am walking from Bologna to and taking 6 days. She appears sufficiently puzzled/surprised that she has understood what I was saying, or maybe not.
Train is on time.

The station has signs showing where each carriage will be, a marvellous idea.
It's a seven hour journey to Bologna, mostly following the Adriatic coast. Not a huge amount of interest. A big rain storm somewhere in the middle of the journey, and the occasional rough sea.
An hour before my arrival I hear that the Anita and Chris have arrived at the hotel. That's good, maybe they can suss out a good lunch spot. I get a message that my companions are holed up in the Cafe Setto Sopra near the hotel. I pull into Bologna station, leap from the train and head to the other side of the city to the hotel.
As I approach the hotel I message them to find their location. No reply. I phone them. Ringing out and going to voicemail. Obviously too busy chatting. So I check in, dump my heavy pack, slip on my sandals and set off to find them.
Quick Google search reveals nothing of that name. Could they mean of Sotto Sopra Osteria? Sounds a good bet and is nearby.

I find them sat at a table for 2, having polished off a good lunch, finishing their wine. So we set off to explore, and for me to pick up some street food.

Bologna is amazing. Everywhere you look there is something interesting to see, as we walk rather randomly through the streets.

We see the Asinelle tower and decide it will give great views and allow us to get orientated. We get to the tower, but are told we have to get tickets from Piazza Maggiore. So off to the piazza, where we are distracted by fountains

Basillicas

And beer in the sunshine. We set off again, but realise it is impossible to go on a direct route. There is always something really amazing that draws you away.  Get back to our hotel at 7, and we are booked in at the restaurant across the street at 8.

The restaurant is actually part of our holiday package. A very nice meal with very nice wine. A sign of things to come?

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