The weather has been a bit crazy lately. We have had days of rain, howling winds and some lovely sunshine.
Spring will soon be here. I can see a tinge of green appearing on the trees.
The last days of winter are looking good….
Spring is just around the corner.
Between rain showers I planted the pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio.
It is raining heavily today…I hope the poor little things don’t drown.
I chose the smaller flowers this year as they put on a great show last year. Here is a reminder of what they will look like soon if the weather cooperates.
I arrived from Australia to find my daffodils have appeared on the balcony. I planted a couple of bulbs a few years ago and they have multiplied.
They are such cheery little flowers and have clearly been enjoying the rain.
Soon I will plant pansies on the bridge.
For those who would like a change from delicious Italian food, how about a delicious curry?
On Friday 26th February Ristorante del Sonno in La Villa is having one of their famous curry nights. For just €10 you can enjoy chicken, beef or vegetarian curry with rice. The price includes a small beer or a quarter litre of wine. Call 0583 805080 or 3356197303 to make a reservation.
It is almost time for the festival to celebrate women at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio.
In a week of events there will be something for everyone…see you there.
Some undergrowth has been removed from what is left of the garden around Villa Fiori in Ponte a Serraglio. A sculpture of a diving girl has been uncovered.
She is one of a group of sculptures that stood around a shallow pool, now empty and abandoned. The others have disappeared and she has lost an arm.
The neglect of this building is a crying shame…but you could do something about this. Villa Fiori is for sale. For less than €1 million it could be yours.
Spread the word, tell everyone you know. There must be someone out there with vision (and money). Bagni di Lucca is a wonderful collection of villages, famous for its spas. The area is gorgeous, with mountains, a beautiful river and the first casino in Europe, as well as the spas that need a little love and attention. While other towns and villages in Italy struggle to find a focus for regrowth, Bagni di Lucca is a treasure trove.
It just needs someone with ideas and money to bring life to some of the magnificent old buildings. We love Bagni di Lucca just the way it is, and we don’t want it to change too much, but it would be great to see more opportunities for young locals, who shouldn’t have to leave their beloved home town to find work.
Most of the villages in Bagni di Lucca have monuments to fallen soldiers from WWI and WWII.
Ponte a Serraglio is no exception.
I think the statue is very stylish. It looks a bit Art Deco to me. What do you think?
The translation of I Macelli is The Slaughterhouses. I am guessing that the site of this excellent restaurant was once an abattoir. The bright yellow building sits beside a little stream behind the main commercial area of Borgo a Mozzano, the village near the Ponte della Maddalena.
The restaurant is one of our favourite places to dine, with good reason. The food is very good, the setting pleasant and the service is friendly and efficient.
To get there, drive down the one way street in the centre of Borgo a Mozzano and turn left at the sign for the restaurant.
I look forward to many delicious meals at I Macelli when I return to Bagni di Lucca very soon.
The church at Ponte a Serraglio was built in 1544. It has been remodelled a few times.
Here it is in 1910.
…and 1922.
…and after the last restoration.
Here it is now.
The interior is quite pretty.
The church is very well kept by a group of volunteers and is often adorned with flowers…poke your head in if you are nearby. It is a short walk from the bridge on the opposite side of the river from the piazza.
Don’t miss Carnevale in Fornoli on 14th February.
