Yellow flowers

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Forsythia is appearing all over the place in Bagni di Lucca. Surprisingly, these plants belong to the olive family.

They are deciduous shrubs growing to a height of 1 – 3 metres. The flowers are produced in the early spring before the leaves. The flowers become pendant in rainy weather to protect the reproductive parts. Here they have performed just as they should.

The genus is named after William Forsyth, a Scottish botanist who was royal head gardener and a founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society.

These lovely yellow flowers are a sure sign of spring.

After the rain

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

When the recent rain cleared we were left with a golden light. There was a rainbow briefly over Colle. Rain has other benefits…the pansies on the bridge are growing well.

Ghostly Granaiola

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Spring will soon be here and that will be great…but I do like the winter landscapes, especially the lovely mists that swirl in and around the mountains.

I don’t have to go far to see the misty views. From my balcony, or from the bridge below, Granaiola puts on a fine show on winter mornings.

It is raining now, which is good for my flowers. So far we haven’t had the predicted heavy falls…and we don’t want them.

A dusting of snow at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

A light dusting of snow has fallen at Ponte a Serraglio. I’m not there to see it, but my friends sent me some photos to share with you. I remember how excited I was the first time I saw snow fall on my balcony. The locals might find it a pest, but it is fun when you are used to a sub tropical climate.

Thanks Kendall, Allan and Ella for sharing your photos. I have been transported from rain in Brisbane to snow at Ponte a Serraglio.

We had some serious snow last year. Click here and here to see the photos.

Crazy weather

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Summer in Bagni di Lucca has been unusually cool and wet. The crazy weather continues. One day it is warm and sunny.

The river is calm and low.

Then we get driving rain and storms and the river turns into a raging torrent, much more likely in winter.

There was a huge hail storm in Florence the other day that left the streets looking as though they were covered with snow…crazy stuff.

What will autumn and winter bring?

Dramatic skies over Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on May 17, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

At sunset the other day we had a strange weather happening. A howling wind burst through the valley for about 10 minutes. It didn’t bring much rain, but the sky was amazing and it briefly turned the village a strange yellow colour.

This is the view from my balcony.

Here is the sky from the other side of the river.

Spring this year has been much better than last year when it seemed the rain would never stop. It is still cool in the mornings and evenings but the days are glorious…come on over.

A bright yellow field

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

A bright yellow field in Pieve di Monti di Villa told us that spring is on the way. This was last week.

This week the cold has returned and there is snow on the mountains behind Bagni di Lucca…still beautiful.

Magnificent magnolias

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The magnolia trees are in flower right now in Bagni di Lucca. The season is almost over and green leaves are beginning to take the place of the blooms.

There is a huge tree in Fornoli.

…another at Villa Fiori.

…and more in the park in La Villa. You can see the flowers fading and the leaves forming here.

My favourite one of all is the one behind the English church in La Villa.

What a pity we have to wait until next year for it all to happen again.

Tiglio tunnels in winter

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The gorgeous Tiglio (Linden) trees form magnificent green tunnels on the roads leading into Bagni di Lucca in spring and summer.

I think they look just as wonderful in winter when their moss covered trunks and grizzled branches starkly show the way to Bagni di Lucca.

In just a few weeks spring will begin and the trees will turn green before our eyes…and in no time at all they will look like this.

A winter visit

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Most people like to visit Bagni di Lucca in the summer when the days are long and hot and there is lots of activity. This is fun, but winter has its charms. We often get blue sky days with crisp winter air and you can spend cosy nights beside the fire.

Ski fields are not far away in Abetone and sometimes there is snow on the lower villages, making everything look beautiful with a snowy white coat.

I love the winter landscape. Just take a look at some gorgeous winter scenes in and around Bagni di Lucca.

As well as gorgeous scenery there are no crowds, making a visit to galleries and museums in nearby Lucca, Florence and Pisa easy. There are lots of fun things to do on a winter visit.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Category Archives: seasons