Verde Mura Lucca

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

This annual garden show is on in Lucca right now. It started today and continues tomorrow, Saturday 5th April and Sunday 6th April. If you love looking at beautiful plants this is the place to be.

I went today and the rain cleared just as the gates opened. I was one of the first in, so I had the place almost to myself. Come for a little wander with me.

My first stop was this stand with metal ornaments for your garden. I love their birds.

There was an endless variety of beautiful plants.

Of course there was food.

…and lots of other things I had no idea I needed, until I saw them.

If you are close to Lucca this weekend you shouldn’t miss this event.

www.verdemura.it

Restoration of the English Cemetery

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

I had a request for some photos of the grave of Henry Stisted so I visited the English cemetery to se the latest restorations. Quite a few more graves have been cleaned and the cemetery itself is looking clean and well cared for. There was a lovely old gentleman there trimming plants. His wife was enjoying a sit in the warm spring sun. He happily told me he was working ‘piano, piano’ to spruce up the grounds. He is doing a fine job.

Henry Stisted’s grave has been cleaned beautifully.

The broken tiles in front of the head stone have been replaced and it looks like new. Click here and here to see previous posts about the cemetery.

Several other graves have been cleaned, including Ouida’s.

There is still a bit of work to be done.

But the cemetery is looking good, not a bad place to rest in peace.

A fine day for a flea market

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Spring has returned, bringing warm, sunny weather. The temperature reached 20 degrees today…a perfect day to wander through the flea market in La Villa.

There were more than 50 stalls, not bad for the first time. Stalls were set up in front of Circolo dei Forestieri and along the main street.

There were some lovely old toys for sale. Little boys must have once treasured the cars and lots of dolls were left behind when little girls grew up.

Anyone for a plate of piglets?

I liked this fellow with the wobbly head.

A pair of Barbies enjoyed the sun.

There were lots of bits and pieces.

I hope this little puppet theatre found a home.

Perhaps someone will want old photos.

I’m sure I once had a book like this, where you collected stickers to put in the correct place.

I managed to find a pair of gold angels to take home with me.

It was a great first flea market. The next one will be at the end of June.

A bright yellow field

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

A bright yellow field in Pieve di Monti di Villa told us that spring is on the way. This was last week.

This week the cold has returned and there is snow on the mountains behind Bagni di Lucca…still beautiful.

Early spring in Montefegatesi

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

It is officially spring, but the warm weather lately has meant that signs of spring appeared early this year. It was a beautiful day yesterday…perfect for a visit to Montefegatesi, one of my favourite villages. At 842 metres above sea level, it is the highest of Bagni di Lucca’s villages.

A walk to the Dante monument at the top of the villages is always fun, and the views from the top are spectacular. Spring flowers are popping up all over town.

Montefegatesi cats were out enjoying the sunny day.

Vittorio Emanuele keeps an eye on things.

I love the old faces and designs carved into the facades.

Dante cuts a fine figure in his lofty position.

This is what he sees, you would think he might look a bit happier.

…another lovely walk through Montefegatesi, and some more photos.

I want to go back when this enormous fig tree has fruit.

Magnificent magnolias

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The magnolia trees are in flower right now in Bagni di Lucca. The season is almost over and green leaves are beginning to take the place of the blooms.

There is a huge tree in Fornoli.

…another at Villa Fiori.

…and more in the park in La Villa. You can see the flowers fading and the leaves forming here.

My favourite one of all is the one behind the English church in La Villa.

What a pity we have to wait until next year for it all to happen again.

A tribute to women at the casino

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Omaggio alla Donna is in full swing at the casino at Ponte a Serraglio. I called in this evening to take a look at the paintings, sculpture and photography celebrating women.

It was great to see the exhibition well attended. The casino is a beautiful building and it is wonderful to see it being put to good use.

In the main room of the casino the painting and sculpture are displayed.

In the smaller room in the centre is the photography.

Gemma and her team have done a great job again this year with the exhibition in the second large room. They have put together a collection of things related to kitchens, cooking and table settings from times past.

There is still time to see the exhibition. It will be open tomorrow night, Friday 14th March, from 5.00pm until 8.00pm. On Saturday evening there will be music provided by the Emma Morton Tiro and a buffet will follow.

The event finishes on Sunday evening from 4.00pm until 8.00pm.

Al Laghetto…the food is good

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Al Laghetto sits beside the river on the way to Fabriche di Vallico. We were there not long after the disastrous storm which caused lots of damage in the area, so it the setting wasn’t as picturesque as usual.

The restaurant was full for Sunday lunch when we arrived. Fortunately there was room for us. I love the rustic setting.

You need to have a big appetite with you…take a look at the delicious food.

Al Laghetto is a great place for Sunday lunch. The atmosphere is lively and a lot of fun.

Tiglio tunnels in winter

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The gorgeous Tiglio (Linden) trees form magnificent green tunnels on the roads leading into Bagni di Lucca in spring and summer.

I think they look just as wonderful in winter when their moss covered trunks and grizzled branches starkly show the way to Bagni di Lucca.

In just a few weeks spring will begin and the trees will turn green before our eyes…and in no time at all they will look like this.

Escape

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

I do feel sorry for cats who are stuck inside all the time. I know it is safer for them and the wildlife, but I see them looking longingly at life outside their little worlds and I want to help them escape.

This handsome fellow was plotting his escape in Fornoli as I walked past.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: photography