What’s happening in Bagni di Lucca?

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

There are a few things happening in Bagni di Lucca soon.

Firstly, on 12th and 13th June at the Sala Parocchiale at Via Vittorio Emanuele, 32 in Ponte a Serraglio there will be a puppet show for children. The show is being performed by the Carideo Clan and Friends and promises to be a lot of fun. Come along at 7.00pm.

Onn Saturday 15 June at the Piazza delle Ponte Catene is a tug-of-war, for men, women and children. Be there at 4.00pm.

This Sunday, 16th June is the day of the Palio della Val di Lima…Palio della Balestra…the crossbow competition. I went last year and just happen to have some photos. Click here for more on the event. I strongly urge you to attend this one. It starts at around 9.00am and runs all day in Bagni alla Villa, with the competition taking place in the grounds of the Villa Ada.

In Fornoli on June 23rd the Festival to welcome summer will take place. This one is new for me. I hope we have a fine day. Be in Piazza Aldo Moro in Fornoli at 3.00pm. At 8.15 there will be dinner under the stars at a cost of 15 euro…to book call 347 07756788.

A special Sunday in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Sunday 2nd June was Italy’s Republic Day…and Corpus Christi.

The beautiful 12th century church…Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Pietro…in Corsena, was decorated with flowers and candles for the First Communion fo several local children.

It is an excellent opportunity to see some of the beautiful religious art in the church.

The chapel at the side of the church was open…a very rare occurence.

Families gathered for the celebration.

There was a little procession from the chapel to the church.

The ceremony went well.

A special day needs a special haircut.

I’m sure everyone who took part enjoyed their day.

For more on the ancient church, click here.

An evening at the theatre in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The Teatro Accademico in La Villa was full on Saturday night. Everyone came to hear the music of Giuseppe Verdi…the name sounds so much more exotic than Joe Green…don’t you think?

We were greeted by 2 very well dressed gentlemen.

The seats soon filled up and the curtains parted.

There were some lovely performances.

I know absolutely nothing about Verdi’s music, so I suggest you click here to read much more about him and the performances on From London to Longoio.

A cooking lesson with Gabriella

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

One of the things that people love to do when they come to Italy is to have cooking lessons with an Italian cook…with good reason. I was very lucky to be included in a lesson with the delightful Gabriella Lazzarini, organised by Heather Jarman of Sapori-e-Saperi.

The lesson took place in beautiful Casabasciana, so I went a litttle early to enjoy some late afternoon views of the mountains.

Gabriella had prepared a wonderful menu for us. We all put on our aprons and got ready. The first course was antipasti consisting of crostini con stracchino e salsiccia and crostini con fegatino di pollo…crostini withh soft cheese and sausage and chicken liver.

Primo piatto, first course, was delicious chestnut ravioli with a filling of ricotta and nettles, with a butter and sage sauce. We all got to play with the flour and make our own pasta.

Zuppa followed…a very special soup called garmugia. It is cooked only in May when the last of the winter artichokes combine with the spring fava beans, peas, asparagus and new onions.

Secondo piatto was faraona ripiena, stuffed guinea fowl, served with insalata mista.

Dolce was castagnaccio con ricotta, a crispy chestnut cake served with a delicious fresh ricotta which Heather brought directly from the cheese maker.

Gabriella is a lot of fun. She doesn’t speak English, which was all part of the fun and Heather was there to translate anything we couldn’t follow. The very best part of cooking lessons is that you can eat the results.

Gabriella will also prepare a meal for you to have at home. For lessons, or a delicious meal using the freshest local ingredients, contact Heather at info@sapori-e-saperi.com.

Some late snow for Bagni di Lucca

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

It is late May and we have had snow in the mountains around Bagni di Lucca. There have been quite heavy falls above 1,400 metres. It certainly makes for some spectacular views, with the spring growth, blue skies and snow capped mountains.

Bagni di Lucca is a beautiful part of the world.

Poppies everywhere

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Gorgeous red poppies are popping up everywhere right now…straggly ones beside the road, masses of them in fields… they look wonderful with their papery petals on furry stalks blowing in the wind.

What a pity the season is so short.

Paolo opens a new bar in Fornoli

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Paolo was the first person I met when I came to Bagni di Lucca. He is one of the reasons I came to love the village. It was great to see his happy face every morning at the bar across the bridge, and I missed him when he left.

He has just opened a brand new bar/cafe in Fornoli called Catene Cafe, named for the nearby bridge.

Call in and say hello to Paolo…have a coffee, lunch or an aperitivo. As soon as he has his gelateria up and running I will be back to get some more photos. Paolo makes the best gelato. I can’t wait to sample some of his pistachio, or nociola, or caramello…..

Good luck Paolo in your new venture!

I am completely sick of the rain!

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Yes, I know this looks beautiful, the river has turned once again into a raging torrent and the trees are green, but enough of this rain!!! It has been pouring here for the last couple of days and it has become cold again. We need some sun to make the geraniums thrive.

This little fellow doesn’t appear to be too bothered by the wet. He was out this morning for a walk.

At least someone is happy about the rain.

Time for a change

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The time has come to take the jaunty little pansies from the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio and replace them with geraniums for the summer. The pansies didn’t do very well this spring because of the constant rain, but they still managed to put on a good show.

Geraniums are wonderfully hardy and brighten up the bridge for the summer. Now that Wendy and Darren are taking care of them they are doing especially well. The flowers are tough, but they do like a bit of water and fertiliser occasionally.

We are very excited that Bagni di Lucca will host its very first Art Festival this summer.

It would be great if everyone put in an extra effort with their flowers this year…plant an extra pot of geraniums, or petunias, or roses…anything really. Nothing makes a place look prettier than flowers tumbling from every space. What a beautiful way to welcome visitors to the town.

The festival organisers would love some potted plants to decorate the newly renovated shops where the artists will have their studios along the street at Ponte a Serraglio. If you have a spare pot or some plants please email Jaqueline at artfestivalbagnidilucca@gmail.com. All donations will be gratefully received.

The shops are almost complete and looking teriffic. I will take some photos soon to show you what a marvelous job the volunteers have done.

How to build a stone wall quickly

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

There are lots of lovely old stone walls all over Bagni di Lucca. They were new walls once.

We have found a great way to build a stone wall….call these men.

We called them and they arrived the next day with stones, the doings for cement, equipment and enthusiasm. I have never seen a group of men work so hard or so well. In days we had walls.