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.
Coming up in Bagni di Lucca.
There are some interesting things coming up in Bagni di Lucca over the next couple of weeks.
A concert at the Casino to raise money for Auser, which helps a lot of people in the community.
Plant an olive tree.
The final street market for the year.
The river is as low as I have ever seen it under the Ponte della Maddalena at Borgo a Mozzano, on the way to Bagni di Lucca. I have been coming here now for almost 20 years.
This is the view I usually see.
This is what it looks like now.
From the other side.
From the top.
On a brighter note the vegetation is growing back on the site of the landslide.
We have had some rain recently but it will take a lot more to bring the river back to its usual level.
While it might not be great for those who are here on holidays, the recent rain is very welcome after a dry, hot summer.
I like the misty morning and the sound of the rain at Ponte a Serraglio.
The rain is needed to fill dams, the springs that feed the rivers and the poor distressed plants. Let’s hope we get good rain over the next few months.
There is a new enoteca opening in Fornoli. It is great to see new businesses opening in Bagni di Lucca.
I highly recommend the guided walks around Bagni di Lucca. You will definitely discover treasures.
The crossbow competition is fun to watch. It will begin around 9.30 I believe. it would be a good idea to put more information on the posters.
There is a new shop in Bagni di Lucca, Villa. It is called Flora Gioh Donatella. We are lucky to have artist Scarlaty Arribabene and her beautiful designs in our town.
She also makes deliciously fragrant candles.
Donatella is a line of paintings that combine shapes and textures, harmony and contradiction.
The shop is bright, spacious and inviting.
I met the delightful artist recently and I wish her the best in her new venture.
Flora Gioh Donatella is in Via Umberto I, at the post office end of the street.
Most festivals in Italy have not happened over the last 2 years because of Covid. It is encouraging to see this about to change this year.
We dropped in briefly to an olive oil festival in Valdottavo on Sunday.
We were there early and wandered through the pretty main street of the town to see lots of stalls set up.
The first stand had a familiar face. This family also runs the wonderful fruit and vegetable shop in Ponte a Serraglio. We picked up a few supplies on the way out.
We gathered a few other things on our walk through the town, including olive oil, a fennel disgestivo and some locally made sausages. It is a good way to get to know local growers and producers.
We had to leave before lunch which was a pity. Long tables were being set up and I’m sure the food would have been delicious.
Valdottavo is a pretty, well kept town with some impressive buildings. I think it needs another visit.
The restaurant at Algergo Corona is in a beautiful setting over looking over the Lima River. In spring and summer it is especiially delightful when there are tables outside on the terraces. With the weather beginning to warm up the outdoor dining should begin soon..
We were invited last night to meet the new chef, Stefano Gallo, and try the new menu. Stefano has lots of experience both in Italy and overseas. This is evident in the execution and presentation of the dishes we enjoyed.
We chose a five course degustation menu and asked the chef to select them for us. Every one was delicious…take a look. 1. red mullet with pappa al pomodoro. 2.seafood soup. 3. cacio e pepe (particularly delicious) 4. cappelletti (another favourite) 5. cod with endive. The cheesecake dessert was a delightful extra.
I look forward to trying more dishes on the menu soon. I’m sure they will be every bit as good as the ones we enjoyed.
Rain has returned after a run of sunny days. I think our mountains look great in this weather.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 