(Cuckoos and) Other gods are available. Stage 7 Ivrea to Viverone (Part 2).

After Bollengo, San Martino's bell tower built in 1300

and some ruined churches were the most notable historical monuments, as the Via continued over quiet tarmac back streets, where cuckoos still kept pace.

I eschewed an invitation to take a damper path, preferring to stick to the road.

 Then on to the faded splendour of Palazzo Canavese where even the project to convert the enormous palace into flats seems to have stalled. The grandiose was much more evident in the grand villas on the outskirts of Piverone, one at least making a bold statement.

 

My hopes for a solid pasta lunch in Piverone were dashed, and I settled for a packet of crisps on the church steps, the cuckoo soundtrack continuing. Then at last onto poppy-lined mule tracks overlooking lake Viverone vineyards,

 with the Alps just making an appearance behind me through the mist. 

 Finally, I flagged down a bus en route to Santhià, with a fabulous chatty driver who gave me a free ride, an enforced pitstop for gelato and coffee in Cavaglià, which will feature tomorrow, before another free bus ride, and yet another chatty driver, back almost to my door in Santhià.