Tag Archives: Italy

Support your local business

Posted on by
11

Tuscany became a yellow zone this week which means that bars and restaurants are open for outside dining. The last year has been very tough indeed for businesses.

Yesterday, for the first time in a while I enjoyed lunch away from home and it was excellent. With a couple of friends I sat on the outdoor terrace at Circolo dei Forestieri. It was great to see the well spaced tables full and the smiling faces (under masks) of the friendly servers.


We need to support our local businesses to help them back on their feet. Let’s hope this spring and summer will see us come slowly out from under the covid disaster.

Ponte localita Molini

Posted on by
7

This beautiful bridge is on the road to Fabbriche di Vergemoli from Bagni di Lucca. It leads to an old mill.

It was built in the 1400s and restored in 2011.

It crosses a narrow stream.

There are signs up indicating that it is now a centre for outdoor activities, but it seems to be closed now,

It is worth a short stop to cross the bridge and look around…when we can move around more freely. There are many treasures in our area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The road at Ponte della Maddalena

Posted on by
8

I had an appointment recently in Borgo a Mozzano and had a bit of time to spare so I walked to the Ponte della Maddalena or Devil’s Bridge as it is commonly known. We can’t drive past the bridge on the usual route to Bagni di Lucca right now because of road damage in 2 places.

I walked to the top of the bridge to see the spectacle views from up there.


I could also see the huge landslide that has closed the road near the bridge completely. Work is progressing to clear it.


If you look closely at the photo below you can see a digger of some kind working on the slope. I hope it is secured in some way. There were also 2 men walking near the top of the landslide…dangerous work indeed.


It looks as though it might be a while before the road is open.

 

A new edition of Pieve di Controne

Posted on by
8

Ann Barsi is working on a new edition of the 2012 edition of Pieve di Controne, a book by Elio Carlotti on the history of the village. The 2012 edition, which was actually the second print, sold almost all 500 copies. The book sale proceeds help the Pieve parish and  those looking for their Pieve roots.

This edition would like to include more family pages, so anyone with a story to tell is encouraged to take a page in the book. It helps to make the book more personal with individual stories of the village and interesting tales of descendants’ lives, past and present.The Family Page could be your own family story, a family tree, photos and stories of life in the village.

Here are some examples of family pages.


You can help in 3 ways, pre-order the book, buy a Family Page or donate any amount.The books will cost €25 and a Family Page is €150.

For more information please contact Ann Barsi…abarsi@verizon.net

A new shop for Bagni di Lucca

Posted on by
6

Dolce e Salata, a new shop selling bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and other goodies has opened in Via Umberto I in La Villa. It is where there was a small bread shop a while ago.

The friendly owner, Titti, was kept busy this morning and was running low on a few things when I arrived. There was queue when I arrived and it was growing longer as I left.


A new opening is great news for Bagni di Lucca. I wish the shop success and hope it is well supported.

Opening hours…

Monday – Friday…6.00 – 15.00

Saturday… 7.00 – 13.00

Sunday Closed.

A fountain in La Villa

Posted on by
2

Sunday was fine with some sun so I went for a walk up to La Villa and spotted a fountain I have never seen before. It is on the edge of the SS Brennero near the Ponte Nuovo.

I think it is stunning and would love to know more about it. Perhaps somebody out there knows.

La Villa looked lovely in the afternoon sun.

Some more sunny days would be nice.

 

The Lima River

Posted on by
20

I returned from an overnight trip to find the Lima River turned into a raging torrent. Heavy rainfall and melting snow have sent huge amounts of water down the river. The level of the water went from about 1.5metres to 4.7 last night. It has dropped a bit today but it is still rushing past my window carrying logs and other debris with it.

…further down river.


I hope the high water doesn’t cause damage.

Snow at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on by
16

I awoke to snow falling at Ponte a Serraglio. It started slowly and it looked as though it would melt before it hit the ground, but it gradually became heavier and began to turn everything white.

Ponte
By the late afternoon the snow was mostly gone, but it was lovely while it lasted.

Stormy weather

Posted on by
23

I’m back at Ponte a Serraglio for a while. The stormy weather continues. Today was a mixture of rain, hail, thunder,  bits of blue sky…and repeat.


The house of a friend.

I like the leaves on the footpath.

I have walked past this many times, but not really noticed how lovely it is.

I don’t mind a bit of wet weather and the occasional storm, but this weather has been frightening. I am surprised there is not more damage after these ferocious storms.