Bella Bagni di Lucca in 2014

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

I visited more of the many villages that make up Bagni di Lucca in 2014. I have now been to almost all of them and there is at least one post on each.

Here are some that I visited this year to add to my collection of photos of beautiful Bagni di Lucca. If you click on the name of the village a relevant post will appear.

I went for a winter walk in Lugliano.

Montefegatesi never disappoints.

San Gemignano di Controne has pretty gardens and winding lanes.

Nearby Gombereto looked beautiful in spring.

I went for a delightful walk outside Longoio through an enchanted forest with ancient stone trails. I met some beautiful animals along the way.

Mobiano is a tiny hamlet near Longoio where I went for a summer wander.

Beautiful Crasciana beckoned from its position high above the Lima Valley.

A little further on, Crasciana Alta offers even higher views over the valley and surrounding mountains.

I drove past lofty Lucchio on my way back from a trip to Bologna. From the other side of the valley you can really see how it clings like a limpet to the side of the mountain.

Pieve di Controne is one of the prettiest of the villages. It sits peacefully on a plateau overlooking the beautiful villages beyond.

Cembroni is one of the hamlets that make up San Cassiano di Controne, once the most populated area of Bagni Di Lucca.

I look forward to continuing my visits to the villages in 2015. You can see all of those I have been to so far by clicking…The Villages

A dusting of snow at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

A light dusting of snow has fallen at Ponte a Serraglio. I’m not there to see it, but my friends sent me some photos to share with you. I remember how excited I was the first time I saw snow fall on my balcony. The locals might find it a pest, but it is fun when you are used to a sub tropical climate.

Thanks Kendall, Allan and Ella for sharing your photos. I have been transported from rain in Brisbane to snow at Ponte a Serraglio.

We had some serious snow last year. Click here and here to see the photos.

Merry Christmas from Bagni di Lucca

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Christmas is a lovely time to be in Bagni di Lucca. Christmas lights appear, panettone is eaten and little festivals happen.

One of the most delightful of these is the Presepi Viventi…Living Nativity. This year Granaiola was turned into a living nativity scene. It was a cold afternoon but everyone kept warm with wine, crepes and roasted chestnuts.

Visitors walked through the village to witness displays of traditonal crafts, food and entertainment. It is wonderful to see everyone take part.

Here are some photos kindly forwarded by my friend Belinda.

I hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Abandoned

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

At the meeting point of the roads from Gombereto, Vetteglia, Montefegatesi and San Cassiano is an abandoned church…la Chiesa del Colle.

At some time it must have been a popular refuge for those travelling between the villages. Now it is crumbling and being taken over by the surrounding forest.

There is a path on the right of the church which must come from the villages below.

Behind the church is a pretty path leading through the trees to who knows where. I can see that it must have been a shady place to rest or perhaps to have a picnic.

If only this old chestnut tree could talk.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see these old buildings restored?

Sad news at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The news Kiosk at Ponte a Serraglio is a very important part of our little community. Olga, who owns it, is a delight. She is always smiling and has been a great help to visitors to our village.

I sadly have to report that she is leaving soon. The kiosk is for sale and it will close next week. I really hope that Olga is able to sell the business. We need it at Ponte. Is there anyone out there who would like to buy the kiosk??

Here is Olga when she took over the business a couple of years ago.

This is last week. It is great to see Graziano as well. He has been very unwell and it is good to see him back on track.

Good luck Olga on the next stage of your life. We will miss you at Ponte.

Italy Magazine is once again holding their blogger awards for blogs about Italy. I would love it if you could nominate Bella Bagni di Lucca. The blog won the “Best single travel post” last year and lots of readers came to the blog as a result. It would be fun to do well again this year.

Click here to go to the nomination page. I will let you know if the blog makes the short list.

Cider by Chris

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

My friend Chris Buxton has a lovely little cottage in Colle, above Ponte a Serraglio.

This is Chris…I’ll let him tell you the cider story.

At a lovely late September barbecue, looking over an orchard teeming with fruit, missing my English pub and the real ales and ciders, I wondered what is done with all the apples…not much it seems…and no one makes or drinks cider…what a waste.

My friend, Super Mario, as I call him, found the owner, who said I could help myself to the apples. Others knocked on my door and Mario Morotti offered me the apples below his vineyard. If only I had known how steep and how far below!

It looked as though I had passed the point of no return. Thankfully some Ponte people offered their assistance and cider production was underway…with some extra help from Luna.

There was a bit of research, a bit of borrowing equipment from friends and neighbours and some advice from local wine makers.

…some supervision by Luna.

I won’t bore you with the details, but there’s not an awful lot more to do than get the juice from the apples and let nature take its course.

The end result? Some weak, some strong, some bottled clear and fizzy, some the way traditionalists like it, natural and cloudy.

It has been fun tasting it, sharing it…

…but alas it is not to everyone’s taste.

Thank you Chris for sharing your tale of cider. I hope there is some left when I get back to Bagni di Lucca.

Signs of the times

Posted on November 29, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

My lovely friend Chris Buxton came upon this scene while getting lost in the hills. I love it. Learning all the road signs nearly drove me nuts when I was studying for my Italian drivers’ licence, but this is a wonderful collection.

2 events in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Talented local artist Morena Guarnaschelli will be exhibiting her latest work at Gabrielli Center at Ponte a Serraglio in conjunction with Andrea’s La Via Interiore and Borgo degli Artisti.

Morena will exhibit 9 water colours inspired by her trip to the Holy Land 2 years ago. The title INSIEME has a double meaning…through art we can see Hebrew and Muslim side by side.

Morena is also offering a Zentangle Course…doodling while meditating…on Friday, 5.30pm and Saturday 3.00pm. Call her on 320 1107330 if you would like to take part.

The second event is the annual dinner of Borgo degli Artisti. Everyone is welcome and they will present the 2015 calendar of events.

I am sure both events wil be well attended…have fun.

Pizza and more at dalle Padella alla Brace

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The friendly man from Pio X at Bagni Caldi has opened a new restaurant at Chifenti.

We arrived early one evening and were the first there, giving us time to look around. It is bright and colourful inside and the pizza oven was burning brightly.

We were able to watch our pizza dough being prepared.

The pizzas were great. They have a thicker base than at other places in the area. I like both, thick, and thin and crispy. Our toppings were delicious.

Next time I will try the pasta.

dalle Padella alla Brace

Via del Brennero, 15

Chifenti.

0583 1798188

Then and Now…Villa Ada

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Villa Ada is the 16th century residence of the De’Nobili family. It is set in a beautiful park, which is still used occasionally for events such as the archery competition.

It is still possible to see how elegant it must have been with its lovely covered walkway down to the village. I can imagine what a cool, shady place it must have been on a hot summer day.

You can see Villa Ada in this 1905 photo of La Villa…it is just below the row of cypress trees on the hill.

The photo below was taken in 1908.

It was still looking good 1937.

Villa Ada has belonged to the Comune since 1975. Work has been done to preserve it, but it needs new owners to love and care for it…any takers?

It looks OK from a distance, but as you get closer you can see that it is beginning to deteriorate.

The marble sculpture, The Nymph of the Spa and another statue were in the entrance, but the nymph now resides in the Comune building. I don’t know what happened to the other one.

The grounds must have been very beautiful. It wouldn’t take too much to restore the gardens.

Bagni di Lucca is full of places like this. Is there anyone out there with lots of money?

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

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