The trilingual signs has us wondering. So it turns out that there are two other languages spoken in this region. Wiki says it is called Friûl Vignesie Julie in Friulian and Furlanija Julijska krajina in Slovene, two languages spoken in the region. It encompasses the historical-geographical region of Friuli and a small portion of the historical region of Venezia Giulia – also known in English as the Julian March – each with its own distinct history, traditions and identity. Now we know!
Flat as Norfolk sharing a similar drained wetlands origin. Rich agricultural lands, with prosperous villages. The smell of freshly cut grass verges and numerous churches competing for tower of the year evidences that. Factories are not hidden away though, rather celebrated. Fittingly Maniago is a major world exporter of steel blades.
Tomorrow we ascend the Dolomites which have been the backdrop of most of today’s ride.
Travelling reflections 