La Balconata…a beautiful B & B in Granaiola

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Kevan and Maureen have created the most amazing farmhouse accommodation at La Balconata, their beautiful stone house in Granaiola. I saw the house before the renovation and what they have achieved is nothing short of miraculous.

From a crumbling stone building has emerged a delightfully rustic home in the best sense of the word. Furniture and cupboards have been lovingly created from old timber and found objects. Ancient tiles were retrieved, cleaned and laid by hand in great style. Curtains and soft furnishing have been created by Maureen and her beautiful sculptures are dotted throughout the rooms along with Kevan’s creative photography.

Here is the living room and reading rooms.

The bedrooms, 2 doubles and a twin.

The upstairs hallway.

The bathrooms…I love the colours and the little touches. Maureen made the bowls and soap dishes.

The kitchen. Kevan made all the cupboards and benches.

The museum wall in the kitchen.

Look at this amazing door that Kevan built.

The old floor tiles and the new ones Maureen made for the entrance.

Maureen’s sculptures…there are lots more in her own house, but that will be the subject of another post.

…and then there is the view and the garden.

…and the table set for lunch.

It would be difficult to find a more relaxing and peaceful way to spend time in our little part of Tuscany. Kevan and Maureen want their guests to feel at home and enjoy the beautiful space they have created.

Go to www.labalconata.com for more information.

A little rant

Posted on May 10, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

We have a couple of paper factories at Ponte a Serraglio. For the most part they go reasonably quietly about their business. I think there may be an occasional dump of waste into the river when nobody is watching, but the water seems clean.

What bothers me about one of them are the piles of recycled materials stacked up beside the river. They are plainly visible from the other side, and have been so in the 10 years I have been coming to Bagni di Lucca.

A few years ago a shed was built and I thought the piles were going to disappear in there…but no.

A hedge has been grown between the road and the storage area and the owner has a nice hedge in front of his house so that he doesn’t have to look at it.

He is clearly doing well as he is building an enormous extension to his house.

Perhaps he could spend a little on fixing the eyesore in his factory grounds.

Lofty Lucchio

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Just in case you didn’t believe me when I told you Lucchio clings like a limpet to the side of a mountain, take a look at this view.

The photo was taken from the Popiglio side of Lucchio, on the road to Abetone. Lucchio looks great from any angle.

Mobbiano

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

A short distance from Longoio is the tiny hamlet of Mobbiano. Just before the car park in Longoio is a road on the right heading up the hill. There is nowhere to park in Mobbiano unless you live there, so it is best to leave your car at the bottom of the hill and walk up.
I walked down from above Longoio past the little church that sits between the 2 villages.

The church wasn’t open, but I could peer inside.

This date is on the side of the building, along with a very cute angel.

A little further along the track Mobbiano comes into view.

Mobbiano is now a collection of houses. I don’t know whether there were ever shops or businesses here. Perhaps someone out there knows.

There are some lovely houses and it must be a peaceful place to live. All you can hear is birds. The gardens are lovely and the views are gorgeous. There are some seriously steep steps and tiny lanes between the levels of the village.

One of the houses, now derelict, must have belonged to the church. There is a cross on the old door. It needs a bit of work.

Take a walk through Mobbiano if you are in the area, especially now that spring is here.

Longoio revisited

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Spring seemed like a perfect excuse to revisit Longoio. It is one of the tiny villages on the way to San Cassiano. Just after the Gombereto, on a bend in the road, you will see the sign for Longoio. Turn left and follow the narrow road to the car park. From there it is walking only.

The views from Longoio are wonderful. This is looking towards Guzzano.

The weather was a bit changeable, but the sky looked magnificent most of the time.

I went for a walk above and behind Longoio. Spring gardens are being prepared.

The path leds to the most amazing forest of old oak trees and dry stone walls. The ancient paths are lined with stones. I would love to know who built them. Clearly a lot of hard work was involved.

Mushrooms in various stages of growth were to be found. The one on the right looks as though it is wearing a black wig.

The view from the top of the hill is spectacular.

Monte di Villa, Pieve di Monte di Villa, Riolo and Granaiola are visible through the trees.

I wandered down to the delightful little chapel, Madonna della Serra.

It is very well maintained.

There is a curious little statue of Beethoven just inside the window. I wonder why.

On the left of the church is a track leading down to La Villa.

On the other side there are great views of Il Rondinaio with some snow still visible.

I walked back towards Longoio past an old fountain.

I came upon the wonderful sight of a shepherd with her goats. The beautiful animals looked as though they had just been washed and brushed and were out for a walk to show off their lovely coats.

On the other side of the path another rustic scene presented itself.

I passed some huge old stone wheels from a mill.

…and came to the old path to Longoio.

Right now is a perfect time to do this walk, wisteria is in bloom, fruit trees are in blossom, wildflowers are everywhere…what more could you want?

Fun with Ivana

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Ivana Spagna’s concert last night was a lot of fun. I knew nothing about her, but everyone else knew all her songs and all her moves and had a great time. She covered everything from Creedence Clearwater revival to Mary Poppins and Simon and Garfunkle.

Much of the enjoyment came from watching the audience, particularly a gentleman in yellow pants who leapt to his feet and danced enthusiastically. You will see him as a blur in the photos…he could move.

Thank you to the people of Gombereto who organised the event, what an enterprising lot you are. Congratulations on a job well done.

There are some tickets left

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Ivana Spagna is performing at the Teatro Accademico in La Villa on Friday night and there are some tickets left. She is kicking off her tour of Italy right here in Bagni di Lucca.

There is also a buffet dinner being held in front of the theatre at 7.00pm.

Will we see you there?

A good reason to stop at the Devil’s Bridge

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

You don’t really need an excuse to stop and admire this gorgeous bridge, but there is another reason apart from the sheer beauty of it.

Catia from Giocondo has opened a wonderful shop where you can buy products from her agriturismo in Lugliano. It is opposite the bridge and there is parking beside the bridge.

Click here to see more about Catia…she is a very busy woman.

www.agriturismogiocondo.com

Gombereto

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

I walked to Gombereto down the path from San Gemignano. In just a few minutes the village comes into view.

The fruit trees look wonderful in blossom.

The path is lined with wild flowers and bees the size of my thumb were having a great time. They won’t sit still for a photo unfortunately.

The first building I came to on the path is the tiny church.

I went on further to the Piazza dei Caduti.

From there several tiny lanes lead off to different parts of the village.

Old tree trunks and barrels have been put to good use as planters.

Grape vines are sprouting.

There was a pigeon party happening on a rooftop.

…and a lone cat out for a walk.

There are some wonderful old doors in my favourite colour.

Here is the view of Gombereto from Longoio…another place to visit soon.

San Gemignano di Controne

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Bagni di Lucca’s San Gemignano is not to be confused with the town with many towers, San Gimignano. Our sleepy hamlet is part of La Controneria, the largest and most populated area of Bagni di Lucca. La Controneria includes Guzzano, Gombereto, Mobbiano, Longoio, San Gemignano, Pieve di Controne, Vetteglia and San Cassiano.

San Gemignano is 532 metres above sea level and 7.5 kilometres along a narrow, winding road from La Villa. I visited on an overcast spring day…come for a walk through the village.

The views are lovely, even on a dull day.

There is a small shop at the top of the town and a narrow lane heads down hill from there. Old stone houses line the street.

There is a track to Vetteglia.

…and a track down the other way to Gombereto.

A bit further along the main street is the church dedicated to S Gemignano Vescovo who is said to have saved the Emperor of Constantinople’s daughter from the devil.

The bell tower dates from the late 1800s. The church dates from 1581, but was rebuilt last century after an earthquake. It wasn’t open the day I was there…another visit is required.

Spring is showing its pretty face in the gardens and along the sides of the roads and tracks. There are wildflowers everywhere and some fruit trees are in blossom.