Inaugural Ponte a Serraglio meatball competition

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Today Paul Stoker, local resident, hosted the very first Ponte a Serraglio meatball competition.

There were 14 competitors and three worthy judges.

This is the trophy awaiting the lucky winner.

Here is Paul registering the competitors.

Each competitor was given a numbered plate on which 2 meatballs would be presented to the judges. Here is the criteria for the judges…serious stuff.

The meatballs were heated in the kitchen and placed on the plates and taken to the judges…not by the competitors, it was all anonymous.

Here are the judges setting to their work.

The competitors and other guests waited patiently for the judges to complete their task.

Then it was time to eat the meatballs.

Finally it was time to announce the winners. Third prize, I am happy to say, came to me. Teri came second and the winner…Paul Stoker.

This may seem a little unusual, but Paul’s meatballs were delicious and the judges had no idea who made them.

It was a fun afternoon…and we will all be practising to beat Paul next year.

Ponte Maggio

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

There are several bridges crossing the Lima River in Bagni di Lucca, but Ponte Maggio which crosses to Casoli is probably the prettiest.

The river looks very inviting from the bridge. I went down to the water here last year and dipped my toes in. I was very tempted to dive in.

It was a bit cool on my recent visit, but I’m sure this bit of the river will be popular when the weather warms up.

Tombolata at Fornoli

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

…something to do this Sunday in Fornoli.

Ponte pansies

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

The pansies on the bridge haven’t been the best this year. They are nowhere as good as those from last year. I have no idea why, perhaps the weather didn’t suit them.

In about a week I will take them out and replace them with geraniums for the summer. Let’s hope they do better.

Take a last look at the 2016 pansies.

Anyone who would like to help water them over the summer please let me know.

Then and now…Lugliano

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Then…

Now…sorry about the car. I waited a while but it wasn’t going anywhere.

The water fountain is still there.

Lugliano hasn’t changed much at all in this area. It is a lovely village with some great views.

Then and now, Terme

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Jean Varraud Terme has been one of the reasons visitors come to Bagni di Lucca for many years.

Here is how it looked in years past.

…and now.

A car park never adds much to the ambience, but at least Terme is operating and popular.

A puzzle

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Next door to our place is an apartment that has been empty since the old lady who lived there died. It was shortly after I arrived in Bagni di Lucca, probably about 12 years ago.

The roof is clearly leaking and the external walls are damp.

It is a perfectly good apartment. I have seen the inside. It is large, with good sized rooms. It needs a complete makeover, including a kitchen and bathroom. The balcony overlooks the river and is a good size. It would have great views up and down the river.

The puzzle is…why haven’t the owners done something with it? It could have been rented. It could be sold. Instead it is just left there to rot, no doubt endangering the apartment below it as well. At the very least they should be made to secure the roof.

Any suggestions?

New trees for the park

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

Last year a mini tornado ripped through some of the villages of Bagni di Lucca. Some lovely old trees were destroyed in the the park in La Villa.

New trees have been planted in time for spring growth. Several Magnolia Grandiflora are in place.

The existing trees are looking good.

The magnolias have almost finished flowering and the leaves are beginning to appear.

Luckily, the little tower and the fountain were not damaged.

The children’s playground is well used. The weather has been lovely and it is great to see children out and about.

The grass needs cutting, but I love to see the tiny daisies growing everywhere.

Well done! I don’t know who is responsible, but it is excellent to see that the park is being taken care of.

Shelley House

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Debra Kolkka

La Villa has a delightful new addition to the shopping scene. Shelley House is an art gallery and book shop. It packs a lot into a tiny space.

They stock a good range of fiction, poetry, Italian Art, Opera, Italian recipe books, local history…in several languages. There are also books about Shelley, Keats and English poets who visited Bagni di Lucca.

Shelley House is a special place where you can find and buy works of art by painters and sculptors. If you are an artist they can organise and exhibition for you.