Support your local business

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

Tuscany became a yellow zone this week which means that bars and restaurants are open for outside dining. The last year has been very tough indeed for businesses.

Yesterday, for the first time in a while I enjoyed lunch away from home and it was excellent. With a couple of friends I sat on the outdoor terrace at Circolo dei Forestieri. It was great to see the well spaced tables full and the smiling faces (under masks) of the friendly servers.

We need to support our local businesses to help them back on their feet. Let’s hope this spring and summer will see us come slowly out from under the covid disaster.

Bad and good news

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

The bad news is that Bagni di Lucca will be a red zone from Wednesday 24th March. At this stage it is just for 4 days, but I think it will go on longer and roll into the total Easter lockdown…we will see.

This is the latest map of the zones in Italy.

Within the orange zones there are small red zones.

The good news is that the SS Brennero is open at Borgo a Mozzano, pity we can’t go anywhere. Top marks to the workers who did this huge and dangerous job to clear the landslide.

Bring on the vaccine.

Ponte localita Molini

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

This beautiful bridge is on the road to Fabbriche di Vergemoli from Bagni di Lucca. It leads to an old mill.

It was built in the 1400s and restored in 2011.

It crosses a narrow stream.

There are signs up indicating that it is now a centre for outdoor activities, but it seems to be closed now,

It is worth a short stop to cross the bridge and look around…when we can move around more freely. There are many treasures in our area.

The road at Ponte della Maddalena

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

I had an appointment recently in Borgo a Mozzano and had a bit of time to spare so I walked to the Ponte della Maddalena or Devil’s Bridge as it is commonly known. We can’t drive past the bridge on the usual route to Bagni di Lucca right now because of road damage in 2 places.

I walked to the top of the bridge to see the spectacle views from up there.

I could also see the huge landslide that has closed the road near the bridge completely. Work is progressing to clear it.

If you look closely at the photo below you can see a digger of some kind working on the slope. I hope it is secured in some way. There were also 2 men walking near the top of the landslide…dangerous work indeed.

It looks as though it might be a while before the road is open.

A new edition of Pieve di Controne

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

Ann Barsi is working on a new edition of the 2012 edition of Pieve di Controne, a book by Elio Carlotti on the history of the village. The 2012 edition, which was actually the second print, sold almost all 500 copies. The book sale proceeds help the Pieve parish and those looking for their Pieve roots.

This edition would like to include more family pages, so anyone with a story to tell is encouraged to take a page in the book. It helps to make the book more personal with individual stories of the village and interesting tales of descendants’ lives, past and present.The Family Page could be your own family story, a family tree, photos and stories of life in the village.

Here are some examples of family pages.

You can help in 3 ways, pre-order the book, buy a Family Page or donate any amount.The books will cost €25 and a Family Page is €150.

For more information please contact Ann Barsi…abarsi@verizon.net

A sunny winter day

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

Today was glorious in Bagni di Lucca. I went for a walk from Ponte a Serraglio to Fornoli to make the most of the warm sunshine.

I think we will have rain again tomorrow…all the more reason to get out and enjoy the winter sun when it shines.

A new shop for Bagni di Lucca

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

Dolce e Salata, a new shop selling bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and other goodies has opened in Via Umberto I in La Villa. It is where there was a small bread shop a while ago.

The friendly owner, Titti, was kept busy this morning and was running low on a few things when I arrived. There was queue when I arrived and it was growing longer as I left.

A new opening is great news for Bagni di Lucca. I wish the shop success and hope it is well supported.

Opening hours…

Monday – Friday…6.00 – 15.00

Saturday… 7.00 – 13.00

Sunday Closed.

A fountain in La Villa

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

Sunday was fine with some sun so I went for a walk up to La Villa and spotted a fountain I have never seen before. It is on the edge of the SS Brennero near the Ponte Nuovo.

I think it is stunning and would love to know more about it. Perhaps somebody out there knows.

La Villa looked lovely in the afternoon sun.

Some more sunny days would be nice.

The Lima River

Posted on January 23, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

I returned from an overnight trip to find the Lima River turned into a raging torrent. Heavy rainfall and melting snow have sent huge amounts of water down the river. The level of the water went from about 1.5metres to 4.7 last night. It has dropped a bit today but it is still rushing past my window carrying logs and other debris with it.

…further down river.

I hope the high water doesn’t cause damage.

Snow at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

I awoke to snow falling at Ponte a Serraglio. It started slowly and it looked as though it would melt before it hit the ground, but it gradually became heavier and began to turn everything white.