Snow on the mountain villages

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Fornoli, Ponte a Serraglio and La Villa are the lowest of the villages of Bagni di Lucca at 120,130 and 150 metres above sea level. Montefegatesi is the highest, at almost 850 metres. The other villages are dotted around the mountains at various levels.

The recent snow melted fairly quickly in the low villages, but the roads to the upper villages were dangerous with snow and icy conditions for days. As soon as I thought it was safe I headed into the hills to see what was left of the snow.

Colle is the hill village directly in front of my apartment and it looked particularly lovely with its snowy cover as I set off.

The roads to the higher villlages are even more narrow than usual with their edges lined with snow.

Vico Pancellorum was enjoying a sunny day after the snow.

Looking the other way was a tiny village nestled in the shadow of a mountain.

Vico Pancellorum’s olive trees seem to have survived the snow.

The narrow streets haven’t had enough sun yet to melt the snow.

Goats hoping for some warmer weather.

There were some stunning views from the top of Vico Pancellorum.

On the way out of Vico Pancellorum I spotted some very colourful washing drying in the sun.

The ski lift looks as though it could be useful today.

I drove to San Cassiano next for some different views.

On the way back to Ponte a Serraglio I could see lovely Lugliano in the distance.

With a bit of luck I will get to some of the other villages while there is stil some snow lying around.

It’s snowing in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

It started snowing early this morning and it has continued all day. This doesn’t happen very often in Bagni di Lucca, so I went out walking around Ponte a Serraglio and up to Bagni Caldi to make the most of it. Come for a walk up the hill and back with me.

Some of these photos look black and white, but they aren’t. The snow became heavier as the day went on and while I was out walking a fog rolled in and the visibility became very poor.

The roads have been treacherous. The snow plough has had trouble keeping the road clear.

You don’t often see snow on palm trees.

There is not much use for these now.

This was as far up the hill as I went. I heard several trees cracking and falling under the weight of the snow, so I thought it was time to head home.

Le Torre disappeared completely from view seconds after this was taken.

It has been a beautiful day in Bagni di Lucca. Click here to see photos I took earlier in the day at Ponte a Serraglio.

If the roads become safe I will head to some of the other villages to see the snow there.

Brand new helibores

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Helibores grow wild under the trees all over Bagni di Lucca. Even though there is snow on the ground these hardy little plants are beginning to appear.

Here’s one we prepared earlier. I photographed this one last year in Limano. They are such pretty little flowers…I’m glad they are back.

Winter

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

It is cold in Bagni di Lucca…it is the middle of winter after all.

The Lima River is full of water after recent rain and snow.

The ducks…including the white one and the goose…seem to be coping with the cold.

There is snow on the mountains around us.

…and we have been having some beautiful sunsets.

Winter is a lovely time to be in Bagni di Lucca.

Buon Natale

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Merry Christmas to all the followers of Bella Bagni di Lucca. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Thank you for following Bella Bagni di Lucca. Perhaps I will see you in our lovely village one day.

I will be back in Bagni di Lucca soon to gather more photos and stories to share with you. If there is anything you would particularly like to see, let me know, and I will do my best to track it down.

Pomegranates

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Baby pomegranates were growing when I first arrived in Italy in September and now they are ready to eat…..another reason to love autumn.

Pomegranates are rich in vitamin C, vitamin B5, potassium and fibre (if you eat the seeds) and are the latest so called, super food.

You could drink the juice, or use the seeds in salads, knowing that it is doing you good, or you could do these things just because pomegranates are delicious.

LOCAL NEWS

There is to be a live nativity in Monti di Villa at 3.00pm on December 9. It will commence at the church in Monti di Villa and move through the streets of the village. It will be followed with food and drinks…….I wish I was going.

There is to be a bus taking people from La Villa. Please check for details at the information centre in La Villa.

Mushrooms everywhere

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

Autumn is a season for mushrooms. These mysterious funghi have been appearing in the forests around Bagni di Lucca for weeks.

I wouldn’t dare pick any of these……leave it to the experts.

Porcini mushrooms

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

It is porcini season in Bagni di Lucca. They are in all the restaurants, proudly displayed in baskets.

If you drive along mountain roads you see cars parked and people scouring the forests for these delicious mushrooms. They grow well in chestnut and pine forests.

Porcini means piglet, perhaps because they look a bit like plump little piglets. They can grow to about 30 centimetres across and can weigh up to a kilo.

I have eaten risotto with porcini, pasta with porcini, fried porcini, grilled porcini and best of all fresh, raw porcini with a squeeze of lemon and black pepper. They have to be just picked for this to work well.

Autumn is here, bringing these delectable delights to eat.

This was what greeted me at my car this morning.

Changing seasons

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

One of the things I love the best about Bagni di Lucca is the obvious change in the seasons. I come from a sub tropical climate where there is not a lot of difference.

There is a view that I have been photographing for a year to document the lovely changes.