Yesterday ended at the Chateau Verdun in the charming town of St. Oyen, Italy (originating in the 11 century). The Chateau was given to the Canons of the Great Saint Bernard Monastery in 1137 by a Savoy. On the property is a Benedictine convent and a large cow milking barn chock full of cows with their tails tied up. Explanation pleaseThe staff treated us so kindly and felt like family. It’s the Italian way.

This morning had us well rested. Luck had it that the five of us shared a ten bed room. Fortuitously Bill and I got a king size bed in the private loft area.

Delicious coffee gave us to fuel to head into another gorgeous day. White fluffy clouds and 50+ degrees.

The icing on the gluten free cake is that it’s Rockenstein’s birthday!!!13.3 miles and another 2,600 feet decline in elevation.Our day was somewhere written in a fable. Rolling farm land lush with vegetables, pasture and alfalfa. Belled cows sounding like chimes blowing in the wind. Fruit trees heavy with fruit. Charming villages. Winding tree lined paths laden with pine needles. Fast flowing irrigation boxes rushing with excitement. Stream beds flowing in utter silence.Thank goodness for the surrounding beauty because every elevation change (however minute) hurt our weary legs. Yesterday’s descent was brutal.

We are now in Aosta. Staying at Albergo La Belle Epoque and living like royalty for tonight we have private rooms!It is Roxanne’s birthday and we’re all celebrating.

Here’s Roxanne’s post and photos:

If the Fab Five were one person, that person would be 28 1/2 feet tall and turn 329 years old on the Via Francigena.