Lunch and a spring walk from Rifugio Fiori

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

A while ago guest poster Belinda took us on a walk from Ponte a Serraglio to Pieve di Monti di Villa to lunch at Rifugio Fiori.

I’m not much interested in walking up steep hills, so I decided to do it in reverse. Three of us got a lift up to Pieve di Monti di Villa to the lunch spot. It was a gorgeous day, so we happily sat outside.

…just as well, it was crowded inside.

We ordered the mixed grill…very good….and the torta della Nonna.

We were advised to take the gentle track down to Ponte a Serraglio. We headed off up the road a bit and took the road down to the church. It is always good to walk through Pieve di Monti di Villa.

Beside the church we found the track towards Ponte a Serraglio.

It was a bit overgrown, but not too bad.

In many places there was a rock path lined with wild flowers and gorgeous spring flowering trees.

We passed some old gates. There must have been a sizeable house here once.

We also passed some dry stone walls, no doubt part of the same property.

We walked under a gorgeous oak tree.

We passed a stream and a little waterfall.

Some of the time we walked on the road because the path was too overgrown, but that was good too.

Soon we came to the crossroad where the road goes to Riolo.

We passed the overgrown church.

We wandered down past the old chairlift. I would love to see this operating.

Lots of people were enjoying themselves at Villagio Globale.

Just before we reached the river we passed a wall of wildflowers.

Finally we arrived at Ponte. If you want to do the uphill walk, look for this sign opposite the walking bridge.

If you are looking for a great walk, this could be the one for you. You walk under the cover of the forest most of the way, so it is not too hot. The downhill walk is easy and the views are gorgeous.

Click here to see the winter walk.

Hanging pots for Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Our little garden group at Ponte a Serraglio has purchased 10 new hanging pots for the lamp posts along the street beside the river. We have planted petunias. I hope they do well.

We are always interested in help to water the plants on the bridge and now in the hanging pots. I am not here in summer, so it is up to others to keep the plants alive and thriving…and Ponte a Serraglio looking beautiful.

If you walk past and see them looking droopy, grab a bottle and give them some water. We are working on having a a tap beside the bridge. I will let you know about that one.

The pots we planted at Villa Fiori are doing well. I replaced the stolen lavender and it will soon catch up to its mates.

Mille Miglia comes to Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

It seems the Giro d’Italia has just whizzed past and another iconic road race came to Ponte a Serraglio. The beautiful Mille Miglia included Bagni di Lucca on its way to Parma for the night on the third leg of the race.

The weather was a bit ordinary for the beginning of the race, but there were plenty of spectators to welcome the cars through our little piazza. The first to arrive were the new, fast sports cars…Ferrari, Maserati and Mercedes Benz, etc.

Their engines roared as they sped off past the piazza through the narrow street up to La Villa.

The beautiful old cars were hot on their heels…to everyone’s delight. Here are just some of the gorgeous vintage vehicles.

Massimo joined in with his Lazzi bus.

The Caribinieri kept everyone in check. ( Except for the idiot who stopped their car in the narrow street, put their hazard lights on, left their doors wide open and unloaded their shopping.)

Our own Francis Pettitt was there in his wonderful old Fiat Cinquecento…not officially of course, he was on his way home to Longoio…but he got a big cheer anyway.

The weather did get better as the race went on and it was a beautiful evening in Ponte a Serraglio.

Things may seem a little quiet around here for a while.

Take a look at Bagni di Lucca and Beyond for more cars.

Giro d’Italia

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The Giro d’Italia is a big event in Italy. There was great excitement in Bagni di Lucca today…the race came right through our villages.

My balcony provided an excellent vantage point to watch it all unfold. Our little piazza at Ponte a Serraglio was packed with people waving flags and waiting for the cyclists to appear.

Sponsors’ cars sped through first.

The first bikes appeared after endless official vehicles.

The crowds were waiting to cheer them on.

A little while later the bigger group of cyclists appeared along the river.

Here are some photos from the bar, thanks to Belinda.

A helicopter flew overhead to follow the proceedings.

More official vehicles brought up the rear.

…and it was all over. The whole event went through Ponte a Serraglio in a matter of minutes, but it was great fun and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Go to Bagni di Lucca and Beyond for a bit more on the race.

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.

Road work for a reason

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Roads are being resurfaced all over Italy, including Bagni di Lucca.

…the reason? Giro d’Italia is about to happen. The 98th running of the road race will begin in San Lorenzo al Mare on May 9th and conclude in Milan on June 1st.

Most importantly, on May 13th the race will come through Bagni di Lucca on its way from La Spezia to Abetone, and it will go right past my balcony in Ponte a Serraglio.

Whether it will match the excitement of the race between Mao and Collodi is a matter for discussion.

Click here for more on this exciting sporting event.

A few days later the cars in the Mille Miglia will go by in the afternoon ( at 16.31 according to the programme) of 16th May on their way from Rome to Parma, on the third day of the race.

The magnificent Mille Miglia began in 1927. Beautiful old cars follow a beautiful route through Italy. I saw some of the cars in Florence a few years ago.

Just as well we had the balcony upgraded last year, there may be a few people gathered there soon.

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.

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.

There are still 3 nights to go for the exhibition….don’t miss it.

For more on the celebrations please go to Francis’ blog. Click here.

In celebration of women

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

Beginning on 8th March for 1 week there will be a Celebration of Women at the Casino in Ponte a Serraglio.The opening event will be at 5.00pm on the 8th.There will be music, art, craft and photography.

Something will be happening every day…something for everyone.

Here is a sneak peek inside the Casino. I hope you will all come along.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Ponte a Serraglio