The end of an era

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

When I arrived in Ponte a Serraglio last week I was very disappointed to learn that the Barber Shop has closed.

I used to love watching the men lined up there every day for a chat and a haircut or shave.

I don’t know how long Valter had been there, providing what I thought was an essential service in the village, but I think it is quite a while.

He has retired to spend his time enjoying his other interests, including his art.

Apparently Valter tried to find someone to take over, but nobody was interested. In these times of under employment I am surprised and disappointed about this.

Valter, you will be missed.

Click here to see an earlier, and happier post about Valter.

Bagni di Lucca’s treasure, Mario Lena

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Mario Lena is Bagni di Lucca’s very own poet. He was born in Bagni di Lucca in 1925 and came to poetry later in life. He trained as a scientist and was a mathematics teacher in Lucca.

He was mayor of Bagni di Lucca in the 1960s.

On Saturday 5th October there was an event at the Teatro Accademico to celebrate Signore Lena’s latest book of poetry and prose.

There was a large crowd at the theatre and Signore Lena was joined on the stage by several people who spoke at length about the poet and his work.

Signore Lena also spoke and recited several of his poems to a very enthusiastic audience.

I’m sure his latest book is going to be very popular.

Here is one of Mario Lena’s poems about Bagni di Lucca.

Le Cinque Finestre

Sopra le acque del Lima
le case.
Sopra le antiche case
le colline.
Sopra i rami delle colline
le nuvole dell’Appennino.
Sopra le nuvole
la gente
a reggere questo cielo
e la sua confortevole civilta.

Season of mists

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Autumn is a beautiful time to be in Bagni di Lucca. I am happy to be back for a few months. I woke to rain and mist this morning…how lovely!

A problem with chestnuts

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Chestnuts have been an important part of the lives of the people of Italy for centuries. In times of famine they saved people from starvation. The trees provide wood for building, furniture and to burn for fuel.

There are approximately 850,000 hectares of chestnut forests in Italy, and around 39,500 hectares in the Lucca province alone.

So it is alarming that there is a disease attacking chestnut trees. Chestnut blight, or Endothia parasitica first appeared in 1938, but it the last few years the problem seems to be growing.

The disease appears a a lump at the base of the leaves.

The leaves die and the tree is then unable to produce chestnuts.

Let’s hope scientists can come up with a cure for this destructive disease. Apart from anything else, chestnut trees are beautiful. It is a delight to drive through chestnut forests in the mountains around Bagni di Lucca.

Pinocchio fun in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

La Villa came alive over the weekend with people gathering to have fun at the Pinocchio festival. Carlo Collodi, Pinocchio’s creator took his name from Collodi, the birthplace of his mother. The village is not far from Bagni di Lucca and the character is very popular in the area.

Morena sent me some photos of the celebrations.

Morena and Mariangela did a great job with the children, helping them with their beautiful paintings.

I was lucky to be in the village last year for the celebrations. Click here to see the fun.

Thank you Morena for sharing the weekend with us.

It’s porcini time

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

It is funghi porcini time in Bagni di Lucca.

There are stands beside the road where you can buy these delicious mushrooms.

As you can see they come in all shapes and sizes. I prefer the smaller ones. When they are very fresh I like them best raw, thinly sliced, with a squeeze of lemon. They can be deep fried, or added to pasta or risotto…just eat them while they are available.

Look for them in local restaurants and fruit and vegetable shops and markets right now. If you are brave you can hunt for them yourself in the forests. Go with an experienced gatherer…you don’t want to pick the wrong ones.

Bagni di Lucca Arts Festival comes to an end

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The first Bagni di Lucca Arts Festival is drawing to a close. It has been a very successful event and is a credit to the organisers.

I haven’t been around Ponte a Serraglio for the festival, but I have been able to keep up with the activities through the efforts of friends who have sent photos.

For an excellent roundup of the festival please go to Michael and Shona’s Blog. They have been involved from the beginning to the almost end and can fill you in on some of the details.

Click on livingtuscany.wordpress.com

I’m sure plans are already underway for next year.

Il Biribisso in Granaiola

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Il Biribisso in Granaiola has an outdoor barbecue in summer…an excellent reason to go there. There is a lovely outdoor terrace, the perfect place to sit on a warm summer night.

The outdoor barbecue was not operating the night we were there, but we enjoyed our mixed grill just the same.

They also serve great pasta.

Fried seafood.

Our desserts were delicious.

The restaurant is great in all seasons, so even though summer is almost over Biribisso is an excellent place to eat.

I can’t resist the views of Ponte a Serraglio and other Bagni di Lucca villages from Granaiola.

As we were leaving the restaurant the moon peeped out from behind a cloud for us.

Il Biribisso, Piazza Nicola Dorati (opposite the car park)
0583 831081

Guest post by Kerry

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Kerry and Jim are from Western Australia. They decided to spend 6 months in Italy and chose Bagni di Lucca as their base. 3 months into their stay Kerry has generously written a post for Bella Bagni di Lucca to tell of their experiences in this gorgeous part of Italy.

Our 6 months in Bagni di Lucca…by Kerry.

We hit the jackpot when we chose the area of Bagni di Lucca to spend our six months “living the dream” retirement holiday. We arrived on 1st June and are staying until 30th November. I know it seems a long time but there is so much to do and see in the area that time is getting away from us.

Our apartment at Villa Isabella in Ponte a Serraglio is wonderful and the perfect place to base ourselves to not only relax and try to become a little bit “Italian” but also a great location to explore Tuscany from.

The village is built along either side of the Lima River, making it a very tranquil place to spend time in.

It is in easy walking distance to La Villa, the main village of Bagni di Lucca,making it accessible to additional shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, although we have some very good choices here in the village.

We chose to come to Ponte a Serraglio after some lengthy communications with Debra, who I must say has been very generous with her assistance, time and knowledge of the Italian system for those wanting to stay for more than 3 months. Getting our Permesso di Soggiorno would have been very difficult without Debra.

About 25 villages make up the region of Bagni di Lucca. We have visited many of them now and each seems to have its own delightful character.

We have done many day trips, including to the Garfagnana, Chianti and the coastal villages of Forte dei Marmi and Sestri Levante and there is still so much to do and see.

There are many beautfiful cities to visit when you are here, the closest being the historic walled city of Lucca. It is only 25 kilometres away and is such a lovely city to spend time in. At every turn there is something to discover…beautiful cathedrals, nightly concerts of Puccini’s music (Lucca is his birth place), great shops, very nice food and, of course, gelaterias at every corner.