This Sunday Villa Fiori Park at Ponte a Serraglio will be filled with artists for the annual Colori e Sapori.
It promises to be a lot of fun, with delicious things to eat. Drop in to see the artists at work and later on to see the winners.
There is also an exhibition at Borgo degli Artisti starting this weekend.
Ponte a Serraglio will be a hive of activity this weekend.
Looking for something to do this weekend? The fun begins at 6.00pm Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 3.00pm.
Here is the view behind the sign. I hope the weather looks like this for the festivities.
May has been a very wet month in Bagni di Lucca…and it is enough now. We long for some sunny days.
Having said that, I think these wet misty days are beautiful. See what you think.
…and from above.
The rain was so heavy for a while Ponte a Serraglio and Bagni Caldi almost disappeared.
Bagni di Lucca manages to look gorgeous whatever the weather…but some sun now please.
Today Paul Stoker, local resident, hosted the very first Ponte a Serraglio meatball competition.
There were 14 competitors and three worthy judges.
This is the trophy awaiting the lucky winner.
Here is Paul registering the competitors.
Each competitor was given a numbered plate on which 2 meatballs would be presented to the judges. Here is the criteria for the judges…serious stuff.
The meatballs were heated in the kitchen and placed on the plates and taken to the judges…not by the competitors, it was all anonymous.
Here are the judges setting to their work.
The competitors and other guests waited patiently for the judges to complete their task.
Then it was time to eat the meatballs.
Finally it was time to announce the winners. Third prize, I am happy to say, came to me. Teri came second and the winner…Paul Stoker.
This may seem a little unusual, but Paul’s meatballs were delicious and the judges had no idea who made them.
It was a fun afternoon…and we will all be practising to beat Paul next year.
The pansies on the bridge haven’t been the best this year. They are nowhere as good as those from last year. I have no idea why, perhaps the weather didn’t suit them.
In about a week I will take them out and replace them with geraniums for the summer. Let’s hope they do better.
Take a last look at the 2016 pansies.
Anyone who would like to help water them over the summer please let me know.
Next door to our place is an apartment that has been empty since the old lady who lived there died. It was shortly after I arrived in Bagni di Lucca, probably about 12 years ago.
The roof is clearly leaking and the external walls are damp.
It is a perfectly good apartment. I have seen the inside. It is large, with good sized rooms. It needs a complete makeover, including a kitchen and bathroom. The balcony overlooks the river and is a good size. It would have great views up and down the river.
The puzzle is…why haven’t the owners done something with it? It could have been rented. It could be sold. Instead it is just left there to rot, no doubt endangering the apartment below it as well. At the very least they should be made to secure the roof.
Any suggestions?
The rivers and streams are full of fast flowing water at this time of year. It is heartening to see that it is clean and clear.
The colour of the water changes, depending on melting snow and the amount of rain. There are some amazing colours in the river on the way into the Garfagnana.
I pass this river every time I go to our mountain house. It is always beautiful.
It is raining today, more water to fill the rivers.
There is a neglected magnolia in the neglected car park of the neglected Villa Fiori. It still manages to look beautiful.
With a bit of luck a buyer will turn up in April when the building goes on sale.
The exhibition celebrating women has opened at the Casino at Bagni di Lucca. The opening ceremony was very well attended.
There were too many people there last night to allow me to get reasonable photos, so I went back this afternoon. The theme for artists was The Dreams of Women…interpreted in many ways.
A highlight was Maureen Halson’s white horse. The animal is huge and very impressive.
In another room was the photography area.
As well as current photos there is a lovely collection of photos put together by residents. It is fun to see scenes from times gone by.
The exhibition continues until Sunday.
The weather has been a bit crazy lately. We have had days of rain, howling winds and some lovely sunshine.
Spring will soon be here. I can see a tinge of green appearing on the trees.
The last days of winter are looking good….
Spring is just around the corner.
