The annual spring walk will take place on Sunday 2nd April. It is always a fun event.


The weather is cool of down and autumn is finally here. There is no shortage of events coming up.
The festival in Fornoli is always fun.
One for young historians.
An exhibition will be held at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio.
You might need to go to the casino for more information on the chess event.
The living nativity is an event not to be missed.
I wasn’t able to attend the recent festival in Montefegatesi, but friend Matteo Offe was there and took some great photos of what looked like a fun day. Montefegatesi has a great community spirit and it is excellent to see people come together and enjoy themselves.
Thank you Matteo for sharing a great day with us.
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.
It is great to see festivals reappearing after the 2 years of Covid restrictions that prevented them from happening.
I particularly like the autumn festivals, chestnut, pumpkin and, a new one for me, a polenta festival.
I attended the Festa di Polenta in Gallicano on the weekend. A good crowd gathered in the town square, which was closed to traffic, to sample delicious polenta, bacala, necci, rosticiana and other delights.
There was entertainment and the fun of watching children have a great time.
One of my favourite local festivals is the chestnut festival in Cascio, which I believe is on next weekend. I have been twice and I suggest getting there early to get a park nearby. It attracts a large crowd.
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.
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 wonderful Verdemura is happening on the Lucca wall this weekend. It started yesterday and continues today until 7.30pm and tomorrow from 9.00am until 7.30pm.
We went yesterday to find the usual excellent selection of plants, garden accessories, hand made items and food.
Tickets are on sale at the entrance and online…verdemura.it
Tickets are €10 or €8 for over 65s or children from 8 – 14.
Online tickets are €8 + €1 booking fee.
I hope the rain doesn’t ruin the event. We haven’t had rain for months, making it difficult for nurseries to get their plants growing and now it rains on their opportunity to sell them.
We found everything we were looking for…and much more.