The piazza in front of Circolo dei Forestieri is being renovated and will no longer be a carpark. It will become what it used to be, a lovely open space for people to gather.
The restaurant is still open and can be accessed via a path at the side, near the Teatro Accademia.
There will obviously be disruption for sometime, but I think it will be worth it when Bagni di Lucca has a restored piazza.
I have returned to Ponte a Serraglio to heavy rain and a raging river rushing past my apartment and I love it!
Everyone has been telling me that the winter has been warm this year. This is evident in the magnolia trees flowering early.
I look forward to the next few months in Bagni di Lucca and watching spring unfold.
I wish I was in Bagni di Lucca this Christmas. This year there are excellent Christmas lights. I think the Comune has done a great job.
Ponte a Serraglio is looking lovely. There is a pretty nativity scene in an arch in the building next to our apartment. My friend Rina has put lights on my balcony as well.
Thank you Rita Gualtieri for sharing the photos.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024.
Ponte a Serraglio is beautiful in any season.
Thank you to John Falkenstein for the lovely photos. I am right now in sub tropical Queensland where we are about to have a storm.
Here are a couple more.
Having guests is a great excuse to visit nearby villages. Montefegatesi is always on my list.
With around 25 authentic ancient villages to explore there is always something to do in Bagni di Lucca.
A wonderful group of volunteers has got together to renovate the tired railing along the river in Ponte a Serraglio. Money raised from two events at the casino earlier this year was used for materials. Now the volunteers have stepped in to do the work.
The old sign beside the bridge has also been cleaned.
Thank you to all the workers!
The recent festival in Montefegatesi was a big success. Matteo Offe, an American friend who has taken to life in his adopted village like a duck to water, has shared some photos with us.
Matteo and his lovely wife Beverly set up a Texas Taco stand which I’m sure was an excellent addition the to event.
Thank you Matteo for your photos and well done on the Texas Tacos!
It has taken a while, but the car park area in front of the railway station in Fornoli is almost complete. This is excellent! I often catch the train to Lucca or Florence and lately it has been difficult to find a place for my car. I look forward to using the new area when I return to Bagni di Lucca.
Work is continuing on the repairs the the Chain Bridge.
It is good to see positive improvements in Bagni di Lucca.
There is lots happening over the next few weeks in beautiful Casabasciana.
It is excellent to see people working together to make things happen.
The “Siege of the Castle” in Casabasciana was a great success. The organisers and participants must be commended for putting on a fabulous event. The costumes, the flag throwing and archery were excellent and the lucky attendees had a fun day.
Here are some photos from the day, from the early preparation to the evening fun in the piazza.
Getting ready,
The drawbridge opened and the guests were welcomed in to enjoy the food and fun.
Congratulations to the organisers and participants, and thank you Erica Jarman from Sapori e Saperi for sharing the photos.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 