I am happy to report that the lovely lady in the fountain in the park in La Villa has been restored and replaced after being damaged a few months ago.
It is good to see her back.
Restored and replaced
9
Market at Ponte a Serraglio
Today is market day at Ponte a Serraglio. This market comes every year on 8th October.
You can buy food, clothes, accessories and lots of other things.
Come soon, it looks like rain.
Rain on the parade
Today it rained in Bagni di Lucca, which was disappointing for the Pinocchio festival. Despite the rain Pinocchio arrived on time in his red car.
A band followed.
School children and their families and entertainers came next.
The damp group arrived at the piazza in front of Circolo Forestieri.
The new mayor opened the festivities.
The children looked wonderful and each had a part to play.
I’m not sure who the bearded one was.
I think this is Geppetto at work on his wooden boy.
There was a band…
and dancing.
There were lots of stalls and things to see and do, but the weather kept people away while I was there. I hope the clouds cleared later.
This is a great event. Congratulations to everyone involved in putting it together again this year.
PS. The weather did improve later and Valerio Ceccarelli took these great photos. (See more on his Facebook page)
Art in La Villa
Borgo degli Artisti opened their art exhibition last night at the Hotel Regina in La Villa. The event was well attended and the art interesting.
The exhibition is open this weekend. Go to first floor of the Hotel Regina.
A home for gnomes
The park at Villa Fiori in Ponte a Serraglio has apparently turned into a home for gnomes. There are signs everywhere.
Poor unloved Villa Fiori is keeping watch.
So far I haven’t seen any gnomes, but if I do I will let you know.
Il Biribisso
Il Biribisso in Granaiola has had a makeover. The outdoor area is looking great.
We ate under the cover of the terrace on a cool evening.
The food at Il Biribisso is excellent. I ordered the mixed grill.
Another in the party had a great pizza.
There was little of the shared tagliata left behind.
The evening view over the mountains is worth the visit to Il Biribisso alone.
The restaurant is opposite the Granaiola carpark, you can’t miss it.
Phone…0583 831081
The Pinocchio festival returns
The wonderful Pinocchio festival returns on 1st October.
On the same weekend there is an art exhibition presented by Borgo degli Artisti.
A fun weekend is coming up!
Canyon Park
Canyon Park is a great addition to Bagni di Lucca. In a gorgeous part of the Lima River it is possible to take part in some exciting water sports. Click here for a link to their site.
To enter Canyon Park cross the Ponte Nero at Cocciglia. Come for a walk…
Once across the bridge it is easy to see the headquarters.
We took the track to the little beach by the river.
The river looks gorgeous along the way.
The stony beach would be a great place to cool off on a hot day.
On the way back we came again to the delightful headquarters of Canyon Park.
Then it was back across the bridge.
Don’t miss Canyon Park if you come to Bagni di Lucca.
Blue sky over Cocciglia
Cocciglia looks stunning from the SS Brennero, especially under a gorgeous blue sky.
Cocciglia is just one of the wonderful villages that make up Bagni di Lucca. Each one of the ancient villages has something special. Click here to see a list of the villages. There is a link to a post on each of the villages I have visited.
Passerella
The passerella, walking bridge, was built in Ponte a Serraglio in 2009. It was controversial at the time. Many residents thought it was a waste of money and there were more important things to spend money on.
That may be so, but I love the passerella. We park our car in the car park beside Villa Fiori and take what we call the scenic route across the walking bridge and along the river to our apartment. It is much more pleasant than walking along the narrow street on the other side.
As well as offering a pretty walk across the river it is a great spot to take photos of the river and Ponte a Serraglio.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 