Goodbye pansies, hello geraniums

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The pansies on the bridge in front of my apartment at Ponte a Serraglio this year have put on a fabulous show. We have had little rain or wind since they were planted and they have thrived.

They were still looking great, but they won’t last through the summer and it is now time to plant the geraniums.

This year I have had help to plant the flowers on the bridge. It has been great. There are lots of pots and dragging the bags of soil, carrying the plants and digging up the old ones takes time, so having 2 helpers made a big difference. Thank you Paul and Sheila.

Paul also cleaned out and replanted the large pots beside Villa Fiori. (Somebody pinched one of the lavender plants almost immediately, which is a bit disappointing).

We are now thinking of buying some new hanging pots for the lampposts along the river and planting more geraniums. There is a reasonable amount of expense involved in this, so if anyone would like to contribute it would be appreciated. Please email me at debrakolkka@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out.

Bluebells

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I came upon this abandoned garden where bluebells have taken over…lovely. They can take over my garden any time they like.

Wonderful wisteria

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I love it when wisteria appears in spring. It seems to bloom overnight and there are fabulous festoons of lovely lilac flowers hanging from fences and walls all over Bagni di Lucca right now.

…and the smell is heavenly.

Circolo dei Forestieri

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

I am pleased to say that the restaurant at Circolo dei Forestieri has reopened with new owners. Regulars to Bagni di Lucca will recognise the proprietor of Trattoria Borghese, a very popular place to eat for many years.

The front of the restaurant has been opened up, I think one of the problems before was that you really couldn’t see that there was a restaurant there at all. I look forward to seeing tables outside once the weather warms up a bit.

There is a new bar inside, and it looks very fresh and bright.

The food is good and very reasonably priced.

It is great to see Circolo dei Forestieri come alive again.

Almost spring in Lucchio

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Spring is a bit late coming this year and this has not been helped by the icy blast of wind blowing from the Alps.

But the trees are beginning to turn green…you can see a tinge of green on the trees framing lovely Lucchio.

Wild flowers are appearing and potted plants and fruit blossoms are springing to life.

There is always a friendly cat looking for a sunny spot in the mountain villages.

There is still snow on the higher mountains, making for some spectacular views.

The little bar in the piazza near the car park is thriving. After the death of the previous owner there was a danger the bar would close, but fortunately new people have taken over and are doing a great job…meet Franco.

As well as bar snacks and delicious sweets, there are great meals being served on weekends by Franco and his family. In summer the bar will be open more often and tables will spill out onto the terrace.

There are some excellent bargains in Lucchio for anyone looking for a house to buy.

It would be a great way to have a base in Italy without having to spend a lot of money. The village becomes quite lively in the summer months when ex Lucchio residents return to open their houses and enjoy gorgeous views and fresh mountain air.

Don’t go there!

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Road works are being carried out between Ponte a Serraglio and La Villa. Old water pipes are being replaced…a necessary thing.

We have a multitude of signs in the piazza at Ponte a Serraglio to let us know where we can go. The road has been reduced to one way, going towards La Villa.

At some times the road is blocked completely.

The other night, a car coming from La Villa ignored the sign and drove through. By the time he got to Ponte there was a line of cars in his way. There was nothing for him to do but reverse all the way to La Villa.

You have to laugh.

You also have to feel for the road workers who have to cope with the coming and going of cars, people and dogs.

All of a sudden it seemed to be over and all the men and equipment left.

…I am expecting a return.

After the rain

Posted on March 27, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

When the recent rain cleared we were left with a golden light. There was a rainbow briefly over Colle. Rain has other benefits…the pansies on the bridge are growing well.

Brought back to life

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

A famous residence in La Villa has been lovingly brought back to life. The house is famous because it was the summer home for English poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning in 1853 and 1857.

It has been in a sad state of repair for several years, but fortunately someone has bought it and has set about restoring it. The scaffolding was recently removed from the front of the house to reveal a very beautiful facade.

The work is being overseen by local architect Franceso Rondina and the Art Nouveau decorating has been done by local artist Belinda Pieroni.

Work continues on the rest of the house. Some of the cement has been removed near one of the side windows revealing a different style of design underneath. I look forward to seeing what happens there.

Peering through the gate we could see a lovely old garden wall. I’m sure that will live again too.

Congratulations to all concerned. The house will be much admired by everyone who sees it and will be a happy addition to Bagni di Lucca.

Here are a couple of old photos of the house.

They show just what a great job has been done to bring the house back to the way it was.

Ghostly Granaiola

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Spring will soon be here and that will be great…but I do like the winter landscapes, especially the lovely mists that swirl in and around the mountains.

I don’t have to go far to see the misty views. From my balcony, or from the bridge below, Granaiola puts on a fine show on winter mornings.

It is raining now, which is good for my flowers. So far we haven’t had the predicted heavy falls…and we don’t want them.

Women at the casino

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The Celebration of Women event at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio has been well attended. The opening night was a lot of fun. There were speeches by the organisers and the mayor.

Barbara from Granaiola sang for us beautifully.

There are lots of paintings and photographs to see, but my favourite part of the exhibition is the one put together by Gemma Fazzi and her team. This year it focuses on the bedroom and they have done a great job collecting things from times gone by to show us how people would have decorated their bedrooms.