I love to see traditions continue in Bagni di Lucca. It is great to see a shepherd bringing the goats down from their grazing. It was excellent to see a young shepherd. I hope this means the old ways will go on.
A little further along the road from Monti di Villa I spotted some healthy looking cattle grazing.
You never know what you will see as you drive between the villages.
On Saturday at 4.00pm in the library in La Villa there will be a talk on the excavations in Lucchio, one of the villages of Bagni di Lucca.
Sunday in Fornoli a day of activities beginning at 9.00am.
Things to do on a probable wet weekend.
Autumn is a great time to take a drive to Abetone, the ski village 40 kilometres from Bagni di Lucca.
As you get close to Abetone the vegetation changes and autumn is in full swing. The photos were taken from a moving car, so some are a bit blurry.
In the centre of Abetone there are 2 stone pyramids erected to celebrate the opening of the Strada Regia Modenese, Modenese Royal Road.
On the Tuscan side of the road.
On the Modena side.
The road was begun in 1766 and was completed about 10 years later. It secured an important trade route, joining the territories of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy Modena. It was financed jointly by Pietro Leopoldo and Francesco III.
From this position in the village it is possible the see some of the ski runs without snow.
The skiing in Abetone is great and the village comes alive when the snow falls, but it is very pretty right now. Take a drive and enjoy the autumn colour.
I Macelli is a delightful restaurant in nearby Borgo a Mozzano. It is a bright yellow building behind the town. We visited on an autumn evening.
The decor is traditional. We were early, the first people there, but it soon filled up and by the time we left all tables were full.
The menu is typical of the area. All of our chosen dishes were well presented and delicious.
Antipasti…
A selection of salami and local choices.
Buffalo mozzarella with anchovies.
Secondi…
Bacala with polenta.
Tagliata di cinta sinese with cannellini and borlotti beans.
Grilled veal chop.
Tagliata di manzo with Gorgonzola and radicchio.
We were much too full together try one of the delicious desserts…next time.
I Macelli…Piazza I Macelli, Borgo a Mozzano.
Phone…0583 88700
It is chestnut season! Chestnuts are ripening on the trees and chestnut festivals pop up in villages in the area.
On Sunday I visited Trassilico for their annual chestnut festival. I have developed a taste for necci, chestnut pancakes. I like mine filled with ricotta, but you can aslo have them with nutella.
Trassilico is not far from Bagni di Lucca. Drive to Gallicano at the beginning of the Garfagnana and follow the signs. The road up to Trassilico is narrow and winding, so take care.
There are some stunning chestnut forest surrounding Trassilico.
The town is perched on the side of the mountain.
The festival takes place is the little piazza just inside the entrance to the town. Chestnuts were roasting and the aroma was delicious.
I wandered a little in this well kept town.
The Rifugio was doing a roaring trade.
Through the gaps between the houses I spotted views of Vergemoli and I could see our Casa Debbio just outside the village. It was a cloudy day, so the photo is not clear.
I love these local festivals. It is good the see the small villages come alive and fill with enthusiastic visitors.
Autumn is a lovely time to be in Bagni di Lucca. The days are still warm and sunny and the mornings and evenings deliciously cool.
On clear, bright days the Lima River at Ponte a Serraglio looks stunning with the buildings reflected in the still water.
We have had some spectacular sunsets as well.
I am happy to be back in Bagni di Lucca in lovely autumn. This afternoon I walked along the river in front of my apartment to the Villa Fiori park for a “Raduno dei pappagalli” …meeting of parrots.
The park has been lovely cleaned and looked after by a group of volunteers and it is a home for gnomes now.
This afternoon parrots were invited.
Australia was represented by a couple of sulphur crested cockatoos.
There were other parrots out for the afternoon.
There was a talk about parrots and a display by a shop with parrot accoutrements.
Of course there were refreshments.
It was a delightful afternoon which was well attended.
It is lovely to be back in Ponte a Serraglio.
