DAY 181 - MILAN TO SAN VITTORE OLANA: 18 MILES (36,000 STEPS)

20 October, 2011

18 miles (Total 1753 miles) 36,000 steps ( Total: 3,811, 601 steps)

I had rushed from the International to catch the direct train from Geneva back to Milan, which was of more than a passing interest because the train route followed the path I intended to take back to Lausanne over the next few weeks. Before boarding the train there was time for one last interview with World Radio Switzerland, a highly respected English language news station and their experienced and perceptive journalist, Lucia Walton—it was an enjoyable interview because Lucia was well versed in the strengths and weaknesses of the international institutions, therefore it was enjoyable because I learnt something as a result of the questions. The interview can be listened to at:http://worldradio.ch/wrs/news/switzerland/uks-lord-bates-walks-over-3000-miles-for-olympic-t.shtml?27089

The journey back from Geneva was a very uncomfortable and draining one, as we passed through the Alps and I was thinking with every turn of the wheels, I need to pass this way on foot. There is a joy which comes of ignorance of the way ahead—you can believe that the maps have it wrong and the mountain passes are not that high and the snow isn’t really falling yet, but this journey was to dispel myths and bring me face to face with the awesome reality of the challenge ahead.

I arrived into Milan station to be met by Maurizio the driver for the HM Consul General who was to take me back to their apartment where I had been generously offered accommodation for the evening. Truth be known, after the highs of Geneva and the rather depressing journey back along my line of route, I wasn’t in great shape and the idea of a formal dinner was just a bit of a challenge, but I was to be immediately put at ease by our Consul General, Vic Annells and his wife Barbara who were the perfect hosts for a very relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable evening with homemade lasagne, Italian red wine, great conversation and we ended up watching the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace. It was the perfect ending to the day, but I was in for a very big surprise:

I arrived at the British consulate, to be greeted by a flurry of activity as preparations were being finalised for meeting the mayor of Milan. This was a rare privilege as the mayor is a very high profile figure, a cross between Boris Johnson and Mike Bloomberg, more Bloomberg that Boris though. Not only was I to be afforded this honour of a send off by the mayor, but there were going to be about fifty ‘supporters’ all dressed in ‘Walk for Truce’ t-shirts drawn from the Consulate, the British-Italian Chamber of Commerce in Milan and the International School of Milan. The organisation had all been pulled together by the remarkable Head of Communications at the British Consulate: Raffaella Previtera and her team overseen by Vic Annells our highly effective HM Consul General. I wish more people could see the tireless work which our Consuls and Embassies around the world do in promoting British trade and investment.  It is probably the most effective spending across Whitehall and the Milan Consulate is a ‘best in class’ example of what can be achieved by a well-led, highly talented team of professionals batting for Britain. Recent successes included persuading Banca Intessa the most prestigious of Italian financial institutions to move their global headquarters to London, creating many jobs and reinforcing the City of London’s position as the global financial capital.

I was to be dressed in my walking gear with back-pack and we were to wait under the portico of the world renowned La Scala opera house until the mayor arrived; then we were to walk across the square to meet the mayor and the accompanying band of supporters before the press. Along with Vic Annells,  we were to be joined by Kyle Scott, the American Consul General who had heard about the walk from Vic and had asked to come along. The excitement was building as we waited for Raffa to get the all clear to walk us across the square to the city hall, but it was also a great opportunity to discuss with Kyle and Vic how the truce might be rolled out and built upon.

After about thirty minutes the call came through and we were off to be greeted by more photographers and news cameras than I had witnessed on the entire trip so far. The mayor of Milan, Giuliano Pisapia, is a thoughtful and gracious man who explained some of the history of the city hall and surrounding buildings through our translator for the day. We then walked under the arch into the courtyard where we are greeted by the massed ranks of ‘the ‘Walk for Truce’ supporters club. It was an amazing sight and slightly difficult to take in, given the fact that most of my days are spent in splendid isolation and anonymity plodding along side busy roads.

There followed a round of interviews and meetings with young athletes, who were hoping to compete for places at the Rio Games in 2016, and with members of the Olympic Committee of Milan with whom I spoke about the potential for find a strong place for the Olympic truce in the Rome 2020 bid, and the president of the British Chamber of Commerce in Milan, John Law, who is with HSBC and does a tremendous job along with Vic Annells in promoting British business in this major financial and business centre.

We then set off through the The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and to the famous Duomo di Milano, which even as a resident of the great cathedral city of Durham, the Duomo just took my breath away with its majesty and intricate design. I instantly resolved that I must return here as soon as possible. We then walked up towards the castle, where we ended our walk with a final photo-call for the loyal fans who had walked all the way with us and then I was off, alone again, reflecting on a truly amazing week in the ‘Walk for Truce’ but increasingly mindful of the task ahead.