A Christmas concert

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

There will be a Christmas concert at Teatro Accademico in La Villa on 20th December at 9.15pm.

Presepi, Nativity Scenes

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

The making of Nativity Scenes has a long tradition in the area. Here is where they can be seen until January.

Santa in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

A weekend of Santa fun is coming to Bagni di Lucca.

Let’s hope the weather if good for the Santa walk. Christmas is coming.

Aperitivo

Posted on December 9, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

A new business has opened in Chifenti. La Tinaia…Enoteca – vino sfuso and spuntineria. Wine shop, wine on tap and snack bar…the perfect place for aperitivo.

We dropped in recently for aperativo and got so much more. We ordered a bottle of Sangiovese, which turned out to be very good. We also ordered taglieri for 5. There was much more than we could eat and it was all delicious. The whole lot cost €10 each, very reasonable.

There was more, but somehow it disappeared before I could photograph it.

We met Cristian who served us well.

La Tinaia

Via del Brennero 15

Chifenti.

348 3396905

Events in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

On Saturday there will be a talk and video at the Sala Rosa at Circolo dei Forestieri in La Villa on Saturday 1st December at 5pm. Admission is free.

Here is a chance to see the inside of the lovely casino building…another free event. The dance will be on Saturday 8th December at 9.00pm. Phone the number on the poster to book a table.

Walking Presepe in Montefegatesi 9th December.

Christmas is coming to La Villa on 15th and 16th December. See Santa’s house, the Santa walk and the market.

There is always something going on in Bagni di Lucca.

What to do with the casino?

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Bagni di Lucca has the first purpose built casino in Europe. It was built in 1837 and operated as a casino until 1945.

It was restored about 14 years ago and is stunning inside. The work was being done when I first arrived in Ponte a Serraglio and I enjoyed watching the workmen bring the beautiful interior back to life.

It was open for some time as the information centre for Bagni di Lucca. The wonderful Leda worked there and took visitors on guided tours throughout the building, telling tales of times gone by when Puccini and Liszt played for guests.

Now it is open only for events, which seems a pity. Many visitors coming to Bagni di Lucca would like to see inside and ask constantly why it is not open to the public.

There is a thought by many residents that it would be a good idea to reopen it as a visitor and information centre. That way it would be open to the public and be a place of interest. I have been asked by some to see if this would be popular.

What do you think?

If you agree that it would be a good idea to have the casino building open and put to use why not let the Comune know? Drop in and have a chat if you live in the area or send them an email. The website is http://comunebagnidilucca.com

Autumn in the chestnut forest

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Just before I left Italy in early November I drove up to Montefegatesi hoping to see some autumn colour in the forest just outside the village. I was a bit early, but I could see the changes.

It is always good to stop at the little church beside the road on the way down the mountain.

By now the leaves will probably be gone and the scene will be wintery. That is wonderful too.

Necci in Montefegatesi

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

It has been a good year for chestnuts this year. Try some delicious chestnut pancakes in Montefegatesi on Sunday.

If you can’t make it on Sunday perhaps you could make your own necci.

You will need…

2 cups chestnut flour.

slightly less than 2 cups water

a pinch of salt

1 cup of ricotta (sweetened with a little sugar or honey if you wish)

Place the flour in a bowl with the salt. Slowly pour the water into the flour and stir with a whisk until the batter is smooth and there are no lumps.

Heat a little olive oil in a frypan and pour in a large spoonful of batter. Swirl the pan to spread the batter evenly. Cook until the bottom is golden then flip and cook the other side.

Stack the necci on a plate until all the batter is used.

Whip the ricotta and spread on the necci and roll up.

Eat.

Here is one I enjoyed at the chestnut festival in Lucchio last year.

It took me a while to acquire a taste for necci, but I now find them delicious.

A change in the weather

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

We have had a dramatic change in the weather. The lovely sunny days gave way to torrential rain, howling wind, thunder and lightning in the last couple of days.

The river has turned brown and is moving quickly.