If you know the tune to “A Rainy Day in Georgia” then change the words to “It’s pi**ing it down in Parma” and you’ll know how the day has commenced! Unbelievable – it’s another Bregenz experience! After breakfast which was served by a very short and wizened, but friendly Italian chap in the hostel, we all got immediately soaked loading the van. Bernard and I set off through Parma, unable to read the map or look at the satnav due to the deluge. The ever helpful roadsigns were once again useless and we asked a chap for directions. Bernard later commented that this chap may have just been released from an asylum as even us two could tell from his voluble instructions that he was telling us to cross the Po and head north!! We eventually found the road after a short suicidal stretch on a semi-motorway and set off towards the Italian Appeninni Hills. Rumbles of thunder accompanied us. First van meet in Langhironi and Tizz popped out to ride the next 30km climb. I reported that I had just completed 1,000 miles (legs pictured!). Thunder and lightning and then intense rain welcomed us as we entered the hills, which are beautiful. Tizz “the Limpet” decided to push it on the ups, and soon she and I were literally racing. Bernard continued at a stately pace and we eventually arrived to meet the others at a fantastic family-run pizzeria/bar in Palanzano where we’ve just scoffed some brilliant home-made pasta! Sun is even peeping out so who knows, it may be a drier second half to the day?!!