Everyone is invited to celebrate the summer solstice at 18.30 on Wednesday 21st June at Ristoro Castellaccia at Prato Fiorito. It will be possible to get a panino and drink. That will be followed by a walk to the top (not difficult, about 200 metres) to see the sunset.
Elia Barsellotti will welcome the night with a violin.
It is necessary to wear suitable footwear and to be prepared for cool weather. Please bring a torch.
Please call 0583 809945 to book your place before 14.00 on 21st June.
Ann Barsi and a wonderful group of people have got together to digitise the records of the Church of Pieve di Monte di Villa.
This is the first step in a multi-year project that will culminate in family trees for all of the families in the parish going back to the 1500s. If you have ancestors from the parish, and would like to follow the progress, contact Ann to be put on her email list….abarsi@verizon.net
Other parishes already completed are Pieve di Controne and Monte di Villa. There is an Italian/English book available for Pieve di Controne (€25) edited by Ann.
An English booklet compiled by Graham Bracci for the Parish of Monte di Villa is available for €7.50 (€25 if a family tree with your ancestors is possible).
All proceeds go to the respective parishes for much needed repairs and restoration. This year, it is exciting to note, that the money from book sales at Pieve di Controne was used to purchase a new small organ for the parish.
For more information contact Ann at abarsi@verizon.net.
The Community Centre was opened yesterday in the old theatre in Ponte a Serraglio.
There lots of books, activities, computers and more…all done by a team from Auser and the Comune.
A lot of work has been done to set up the room.
For the next couple of weeks there will be art by 2 local artists on display. Open in the afternoon from 5.00 for a couple of hours.
There is something for everyone here. I hope lots of people visit. Formal hours are still being worked out.
Auser has a group of excellent shops nearby..preloved home wares. It looks like a well set up antique shop.
There is a preloved clothing shop.
There is also a place where you can have alterations done or use a sewing machine.
Well done Auser on the latest venture.
There is a lovely old theatre in Ponte a Serraglio which has been largely unused for decades. I do remember dance classes there many years ago.
It is a excellent space and it is great to see that it will soon come alive as a place for art exhibitions and much more..
Auser is responsible for the new venture. They are creating wonderful area for Ponte a Serraglio. After much work it will open on Saturday 3rd June at 3.30pm. Two local artists , Sharane Darlington and Meg Reilly, will be the first to show their work.
The theatre is in the main street leading from Ponte a Serraglio to La Villa on the same side of the road as Bar Italia.
Once open it will be a community space to be used by everyone, with books, music, games, computers and art. Well done (again) the team at Auser.
Paolo Citti was the first person I met in Bagni di Lucca. He met me at Fornoli station 20 years ago. My wallet had been stolen at the train station in Rome. Fortunately I had just bought my ticket to Bagni di Lucca.
I arrived at the station in Fornoli not knowing how I was going to get to my accommodation, which was Paolo’s apartment above his bar. I walked out of the station and saw a tall, handsome young man standing beside his car. He walked across to me and asked “Are you Debra?” I replied “Yes”. “I am Paolo” he said. We have been friends ever since.
I was his first customer all those years ago and now his has established a professional driving service to his long list of accomplishments. He still has his wonderful Cafe Catene, but he was looking for something extra. He loves Bagni di Lucca and he loves to share it so this is a perfect combination, for him and his lucky customers.
He does airport pickups and he will take you where you want to go. He knows the area like the back of his hand and loves to share his knowledge. He speaks English well. He looks a bit serious in the photo below, but he is good fun.
I think this service is needed in Bagni di Lucca and I can’t think of a better person than Paolo to do it. I wish him luck in his new venture.
Contact Paolo for more information.
Email…luccadrivers@gmail.com
Phone…(39) 3924437080
Instagram…luccadrivers.ncc
Facebook…LUCCA DRIVERS NCC
The 23rd edition of the Motogiro d’Italia happened over the last week. 200 riders joined the historical re-enactment of the oldest and most prestigious motorcycle race. It is done in stages on vintage motorcycles.
On the final day riders stopped in Montefegatesi before heading down to Circolo dei Forestieri for lunch.
Here are some photos Mateo has kindly shared with us.
Montefegatesi had a fun day.
A Ginkgo Biloba is to be planted in the Contessa Casalini park in La Villa on Saturday and people are invited to attend. These trees are absolutely gorgeous, what a great addition to the park.
The lovely pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio are almost at the end. Some seem to be still flourishing while others have died. The weather has been strange to say the least.
I have begun planting yellow marigolds in the place of the dead pansies. They will all be planted over the next couple of weeks.
As usual, I will be returning to Australia in early June. If anyone is interested in helping to water the flowers when I leave please leave a message below.
Time flies! Paolo Citti’s excellent cafe in Fornoli is 10 years old. There was a party last night to celebrate.
Lots of people gathered to celebrate. Well done Paolo and the team. Let’s hope there are lots more years to come.
There are 3 events happening on 7th May.
My Italian might not be good enough for the first one.
The next one I will definitely be attending. It is the 10th anniversary of Cafe Catene. Time flies!
This one sounds like fun.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 