I have returned to beautiful Bagni di Lucca after being away for almost 4 months. I love the winter here, especially the view from my balcony in Ponte a Serraglio.
Time for a walk to see familiar things.
Spring will be here soon, I love that too.
It is good to be back in bella Bagni di Lucca.
I am home in Australia for a while. Fortunately, fellow Australian, Liz Litzow was on hand for the opening night of the new enoteca and took some photos to share.
Don’t miss this event on Sunday in Fornoli!
Things are starting to happen in Bagni di Lucca.
In Gombereto and Fornoli…
Don’t forget the guided walks.
Today was glorious in Bagni di Lucca. I went for a walk from Ponte a Serraglio to Fornoli to make the most of the warm sunshine.
I think we will have rain again tomorrow…all the more reason to get out and enjoy the winter sun when it shines.
My second venture out for coffee was to Catene Cafe in Fornoli. 
It was great to see Paolo and Yanima…and the coffee and sfoglia were excellent as usual.
Every effort has been made to make the situation as safe as possible in this uncertain time. I will be back…It is great to be out and about again.
The fun for the student participants, their teachers and parents began around 2.00pm on Sunday across the Ponte Catene.
Everyone gathered in the square with great excitement. The theme of this year’s carneval was the Olympics. It was interesting to see the different interpretations.
Soon the officicials opened proceedings.
And the band began to play.
The procession made its way across the bridge.
It worked its way down the main street.
They gathered in the piazza waiting for the performances to begin.
The infants’ school from Fornoli presented their show, the race between the hares and the tortoises.
The next group performed.
It was the infants’ school from San Cassiano.
The students from Borgo a Mozzano came next. We wondered what the blue fabric was for. We soon found out it was the stream for the canoe team.
Then came the swimmers.
…and the equestrian team.
The fencing team fought with flowers…an excellent idea.
The cycle team really enjoyed themselves.
Corsagna school followed with an Ancient Greek view of the Olympics.
The Fornoli entry was colourful.
The last group sang for us.
The judges retired to consider their choices for the prizes. They soon returned and the first announcement was for the third place which went to Fornoli school.
In second place was Corsagna.
The winners were the students from Borgo a Mozzano.
Top marks to everyone for the wonderful event. Students, teachers, parent and friends clearly spent many hours to present such a delightful spectacle and it was great fun for participants and spectators.
Thank you Marco Nicoli and the team for organising the event again.
Es Vedra opened recently in Fornoli. It is on the road out of town, just before the bend as you head towards Barga and set back from the road a little to allow parking in front.
As well as pizza there is an excellent taglieri.
It came with pasta fritta and flat bread.
We all ordered the spicy pizza with salami, pepperoncini and nduja. It was delicious!
The restaurant is bright and new and the young staff cheerful and helpful.
It is a great addition to Fornoli.
Es Vedra
Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII
339 4919880
I am truly sorry to be missing this event this year!
Carnevale is a fun time of the year. I hope everyone has a great time.
I love the way tiglio trees create tunnels along the roads in Bagni di Lucca.
The leaves are appearing on the lovely trees in Fornoli…such a pretty time of year.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 