Find a bargain

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

It is almost time for the next second hand market in La Villa.

The market will be held in the main street of La Villa this Sunday. There will be antiques, collectables and lots of great things.

Spring has arrived

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Finally spring has arrived in Bagni di Lucca! Everything is turning green.

More spring photos to come.

Walking tracks

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

One of the things I am most asked for about Bagni di Lucca is information on walking trails in the area. The villages that make up Bagni di Lucca are beautiful and there are old mule trails between most of them.

The trails are reasonably well marked once you find them and it is great fun to walk between the villages. The forest is not too dense and the views can be spectacular.

I visited the Information Centre and found a couple of maps.

The orange lines represent roads. The orange broken lines are unsealed roads. The green lines are walking, mountain bike and horse trails and the broken green lines are waking tracks.

On this map the coloured lines represent walking trails, the double black lines are the roads and the broken black lines are unsealed roads.

You can find the originals at the Information Centre in La Villa. It is in Via Umberto I, not far from the Comune building. The young women who work there are very helpful.

Just what we need in Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on April 7, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

The new fruit and vegetable shop opened in Ponte a Serraglio and drew a huge crowd of well wishers…and buyers.

The shop has exceeded expectations. The space is tiny and it is overflowing with great food. There is much more than just fruit and vegetables, which look amazing.

There is also a deli counter filled with delights. It was a bit crowded so I couldn’t photograph much.

There are shelves stocked with handy items for convenient shopping.

There were refreshments, of course, and a huge cake.

A young family is behind this new venture. When things settle a bit I will have a chat with them and find out a bit more…along with the opening hours.

An exciting addition to Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

A fruit and vegetable shop is about to open in Ponte a Serraglio, something we have needed for some time.

The shop will also sell bread and local products and will be beside Bar Italia.

The opening will be on 7th April. I’m sure everyone will support the new venture.

Spring walk 2018

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

The annual spring walk around Bagni di Lucca will take place on Monday 2nd April. You can either walk 2, 4, 10, 18 or 20 kilometres, beginning in Fornoli. You can begin the walk between 7.30am and 8.30am.

This is a fun way to see a different side of Bagni di Lucca. Get a group of friends together and chose your walk. Refreshments are provided along the way and the tracks are well marked.

For more information phone 0583 87932 or 349 6953500

Welcome new Bar Italia

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio opened this evening. A large crowd of well wishers gathered early and the brand new bar was soon full.

Annalisa was there to welcome everyone.

Her helpers were all there too.

Of course there was lots of food.

…and lots of people.

I am delighted that Bar Italia is open again. The piazza has been very quiet without it. I look across the piazza to the bar from my apartment and it has been very sad to see it closed.

We will be back bright and early tomorrow morning for our first breakfast at Bar Italia.

Bar Italia reopens

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio has been closed for extensive renovations. I can happily report that it will reopen this Saturday, 24th March.

There will be opening celebrations from 5.00pm. I hope everyone will come along to wish Annalisa and her team the best for the new start.

This an old photo. There will lots more of the new bar after the opening.

Goats on the move

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

One of the things I really enjoy about Bagni di Lucca is occasionally coming across traditional farming activities.

In the area behind Montefegatesi on the way to Orrido di Botri it is not unusual to come across a large herd of goats, with the occasional sheep, being brought in for the evening after a day foraging in the forest.

It doesn’t even matter when the road is taken over for a while.

These goats are milked to make cheese, a labour of love for the couple responsible. I wonder if young people will step up to keep these jobs alive or will they eventually be lost.