Stage 26 Arfanta - Ponte della Priula Hotel San Carlo

Knowing that the last stages are very sweat-inducing, not because of the elevation gain but because of the heat, I try to take advantage of the early morning hours. After all, I'm an early bird 😅. Today, the trail alternated between small roads and main roads, then a gravel road along a vineyard alley. The first highlight this morning was the small historic water mill Molinetto della Croda. It was built in 1630 at the foot of a 12m high rock wall and uses the water from the Lierza stream to operate its millstone. After over 300 years, it was shut down in 1953 and left to decay until it was purchased and carefully restored by the city of Refrontolo. Along this trail, I often got startled as every house had a barking four-legged friend behind the fence. 🐕 In Barbisano, I had completed about half of today's stage, and it was only 10:00. I paid a visit to the first gelateria. I discovered a good combination for myself: sparkling water with lemon and an espresso. That helps me a lot. Bella Italia. The times of elderflower spritzers or non-alcoholic beers are over.🍻. After that, I passed through Collalto, passing by an old castle ruins, until San Daniele. From here, I had another beautiful view of the Venetian plain. Now there are only 99 km left to Venice. The grand and lonely mountain stages are over. A little tear rolls down my cheek. I have to prepare myself for a busy and densely populated area. Walking, simply because it belongs to this journey. The last kilometers ran on a flood embankment until the big Piave Bridge. From here, it was only 900m to the hotel. Ponte della Priula is located on the banks of the Piave and has been a central point of the road connection since Roman times. It's not beautiful, but the infrastructure is good. Next door is a supermarket, and across the street is an ice cream parlor, and in close proximity is a pizzeria. According to the travel guide, a good sense of direction is required tomorrow. Oh dear, will I ever reach Bocca Callalta? 😅