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.
This looks like fun in Montefegatesi.
A four day event in San Cassiano.
The Montefegatesi Food Walk is back for its 13th edition.
At 10.00 the food stands will be opened.
From 15.30 entertainment and make up for children and baby dance in the square.
From 16.00 the reading laboratory will take place.
16.15 there will be a fitness lab.
At 21.00 a sensory performance with 2 voices.
At 21.30 is the show with Mangiafuoco Clio returns.
From 22.00 there will be dancing with Nico DJ.
Above is a list of August events.
The San Cassiano festa continues.
A collaboration with Fiorina Shop from La Villa and Auser in Ponte a Serraglio will present a Fashion Parade at the stunning Villa Ada swimming pool on Sunday 6th August. The first Miss Verona will chosen on the evening. Call 333 1989 972 for more information.
Crasciana has lots going on in August.
There will be 2 more live music evenings at Ristorante del Sonno in La Villa. The first is with Blackout on 2nd August and the second with an acoustic band on 16th August. Call (39) 335 619 7303 to book.
A night at the opera.
The regular street market is on this weekend (Sunday 30th July) in La Villa.
Have a beer in Casoli on Friday 4th August.
There is lots happening over the next few weeks in beautiful Casabasciana.
It is excellent to see people working together to make things happen.
Bagni di Lucca’s beautiful pool opens Sunday 16th July at 9.00am.
Better late than never!
The pool is in the most beautiful setting.
Call 333 1989972 for information.
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.
Our lovely friend Tina Birri has died. She was a huge part of our lives in Ponte a Serraglio. She was one of the first people I met when we arrived to set up our apartment 20 years ago.
She helped us navigate our new lives in Italy and we would have been lost without her advice. She guided us through official things which are still a mystery all these years later.
She also helped me to learn Italian. I used to have dinner with her and her (now my) friend Rina each night at Marco’s restaurant. I used what little Italian I had as Rina doesn’t speak English. When I got stuck Tina finished my sentences for me.
Tina spoke English with a Bronx accent. She was born in New York. Her father died when she was young and her mother brought her to the family home in Ponte a Serraglio when she was 12. She told me many wonderful stories of her early life in Ponte.
A favourite story is of a relative who lived next door to her. He bought the first car in Ponte a Serraglio, a Fiat bambino. He used to drive it down to the bar in the piazza, a distance of about 50 metres. He had to show off his new vehicle.
She had lots of stories of the hard times after the war and how Bagni di Lucca became prosperous slowly. She told me of the businesses that flourished in the 60s and 70s and of the later decline. I am happy to have spent lots of time with her to learn about this lovely village and the people in it.
Tina liked to sit at Bar Italia and enjoy a limoncello or two. She had lots of friends there and was always ready for a chat.
She worked until very recently in an office that helped people sort out official difficulties, it is not only foreigners who struggle. She loved her job and it gave her a good reason to get out and about.
She died after a fairly short illness and I am happy that she was able to get home briefly between hospital stays. I was able to visit her every day and continue our chats. I was looking forward to seeing her when I return in October. Sadly, it is not to be.
Ponte a Serraglio won’t be the same without Tina. Bar Italia won’t be the same without her. It is the end of an era.
Below is a photo taken many years ago when Tina’s hair was still red. We are at Marco’s restaurant.
If I was in Ponte a Serraglio right now I would raise a glass of limoncello to my friend Tina.
Called “The Seige at the Castle” the first ever medieval feasts will be held in Casabasciana on Saturday 8th July at 6.00pm and Sunday 9th July at 11.00am in Vico Pancellorum.
There will be an opening of the drawbridge followed by the opening of the gastronomic stands, with delicious traditional dishes, along the streets of the village.
Every half hour spectacular shows, with flag throwers, bow and arrow archers, swordsmen, soldiers and musicians will entertain in the main piazza.
Entry is free. For itinerant lunch or dinner the charge will be €25.
These events sound like great fun!
Bella Bagni di Lucca 