Sunday, June 29: Casale Monferato ("Mosquitoville")
C's legs were tired yesterday, so after six straight days of riding, she decided she deserved a day off. Jeff said he wanted to ride, but then he slept in too. We went down to breakfast right at 10, as they were trying to clear it, then walked to the castle (closed for renovations) and toured the Museo Civico before getting some lunch at a bar in the square. After that, we went back to the hotel for a brief nap, saw the Duomo, and tried to visit St. Caterina (inexplicably closed). Then Noreen and Carolyn went to a pool at a lovely private rowing club and swam laps for about an hour. We weren't sure we'd be allowed in, but no one questioned us.
After getting cleaned up, Noreen, Melanie, Jeff and Carolyn had dinner and two bottles of Fiano di Avellino at Pizzeria Capri. It was a popular place, and we were befriended by a not-entirely-sober man who loves the United States (but thought we were English) and his more moderate friend from Sicily (who was sure we were American). They helped us make our dessert choices; Jeff had creme caramel; Carolyn had watermelon. Then they invited us to come join them later in the square, for drinks. We didn't.