The mule trail from Ponte a Serraglio to Granaiola

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Debra Kolkka

The intrepid Belinda has been out walking the wintery hills. There are dozens of ancient mule trails between the villages. The one between Ponte a Serraglio and Granaiola has recently been cleaned up, so Belinda and some mates headed off to discover the trail on a sunny winter day.

The terrain is not as beautiful as it is in spring, but winter has its charms.

A very cute chapel appeared on the way.

The group enjoyed a very good lunch (pecorino with honey, macaroni with salmon and red wine) at the Rifugio Fiori, a litte further on from Granaiola at Pieve Di Monti di Villa.

They took the road back to Ponte a Serraglio, but there are several tracks down the mountain.

I will tackle this in spring and report further.

A dusting of snow at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

A light dusting of snow has fallen at Ponte a Serraglio. I’m not there to see it, but my friends sent me some photos to share with you. I remember how excited I was the first time I saw snow fall on my balcony. The locals might find it a pest, but it is fun when you are used to a sub tropical climate.

Thanks Kendall, Allan and Ella for sharing your photos. I have been transported from rain in Brisbane to snow at Ponte a Serraglio.

We had some serious snow last year. Click here and here to see the photos.

Sad news at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The news Kiosk at Ponte a Serraglio is a very important part of our little community. Olga, who owns it, is a delight. She is always smiling and has been a great help to visitors to our village.

I sadly have to report that she is leaving soon. The kiosk is for sale and it will close next week. I really hope that Olga is able to sell the business. We need it at Ponte. Is there anyone out there who would like to buy the kiosk??

Here is Olga when she took over the business a couple of years ago.

This is last week. It is great to see Graziano as well. He has been very unwell and it is good to see him back on track.

Good luck Olga on the next stage of your life. We will miss you at Ponte.

Italy Magazine is once again holding their blogger awards for blogs about Italy. I would love it if you could nominate Bella Bagni di Lucca. The blog won the “Best single travel post” last year and lots of readers came to the blog as a result. It would be fun to do well again this year.

Click here to go to the nomination page. I will let you know if the blog makes the short list.

2 events in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Talented local artist Morena Guarnaschelli will be exhibiting her latest work at Gabrielli Center at Ponte a Serraglio in conjunction with Andrea’s La Via Interiore and Borgo degli Artisti.

Morena will exhibit 9 water colours inspired by her trip to the Holy Land 2 years ago. The title INSIEME has a double meaning…through art we can see Hebrew and Muslim side by side.

Morena is also offering a Zentangle Course…doodling while meditating…on Friday, 5.30pm and Saturday 3.00pm. Call her on 320 1107330 if you would like to take part.

The second event is the annual dinner of Borgo degli Artisti. Everyone is welcome and they will present the 2015 calendar of events.

I am sure both events wil be well attended…have fun.

The slow bells

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Slow bells toll when someone dies in our village. The bells ring to announce the funeral and when the body is taken from the church for the last journey.

The bells rang slowly recently for Oriana, one of the lovely old ladies who lived in Ponte a Serraglio. I met her soon after I arrived in the village. She was always ready with a smile and a chat.

She was part of a group of oldish ladies who would gather in the morning for coffee and a good old chinwag. Several of them are still at the bar every day and there is a cheery “Buongiorno” for me. I haven’t seen Oriana for some time and it appears that she spent the last days of her life in hospital.

There used to be quite a large group of old gentlemen at the bar every morning where they would solve the problems of the world for a few hours, before strolling off home for lunch. This group has dwindled to two or three. I find it very sad to watch them grow old and then disappear one day.

I went to the church to farewell Oriana. She will be missed.

I think it is a lovely tribute to a treasured member of the community. The slow bells allow time to think about the life that has been lived, and recall happy memories.

Come to the chestnut festival at Ponte a Serraglio

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

The annual chestnut festival is to be held at Ponte a Serraglio in the park beside Villa Fiori on Sunday 19th October.

Here are some photos from past events. There will be chestnuts roasting, necci to eat, activities for the children and things to buy.

If the weather is bad it will be held the following Sunday.

Crazy weather

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

Summer in Bagni di Lucca has been unusually cool and wet. The crazy weather continues. One day it is warm and sunny.

The river is calm and low.

Then we get driving rain and storms and the river turns into a raging torrent, much more likely in winter.

There was a huge hail storm in Florence the other day that left the streets looking as though they were covered with snow…crazy stuff.

What will autumn and winter bring?

Little fish

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

As I walked beside the Lima River at Ponte a Serraglio I noticed a dark shadow in the water on the edge of the river.

On closer inspection I discovered a school of tiny fish, most likely trout.

I don’t suppose many of them will reach maturity, but it is encouraging to see them in the river.

A determined bird

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

If you look closely in the photo of the waterfall in the river at Ponte a Serraglio you will see a seagull. I watched this bird over several days and he always appeared in the same spot on a ledge in the middle of the overflow.

He is clearly standing there waiting for a fish to come hurtling through the water towards him. It must work because it is his regular place.

It seems odd to see seagulls in a mountain village, but the sea is quite close as the crow, or in this case, the seagull, flies.

Our ducks seem to be disappearing slowly, but the seagulls are always on the river.

Eremo di Calomini

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Debra Kolkka

This beautiful white sanctuary set into the edge of a rocky cliff just past Gallicano, has been around since about 1,000AD. The church is carved into the rock and has been expanded over the centuries to include the presbytery and the sacristy. The double colonnaded facade was added in the 18th century.

The Calomini hermits took care of the sanctuary until 1868 and now it is in the care of the Lucca Capuchin Fathers. They have done a great job… take a look.

The wooden doors are beautifully carved.

The interior is beautiful.

You can clearly see that the church has been carved into the rock.

The view from the front of the hermitage is wonderful.

To get to the Hermitage, take the road to Gallicano, then look for the signs to Vergemoli and La Grotta del Vento. The sign for the Hermitage is about 1 kilometre past the end of Gallicano. It is not always open, so it is a good idea to phone ahead. 39 0583 767003.

There is a parking area beside the sanctuary. Look for the excellent restaurant just a short walk from the parking area where they serve delicious meals, especially local trout.

www.eremocalomini.com

Local news…

There will be a celebration on Saturday 23rd August for the conclusion of the exhibition of textiles, Nodi della Memoria, at the Casino in Ponte a Serraglio. Fesivities begin at 17.00 with the opening of the exhibition; at 21.00 there will be a shop and at 22.30 there will be music and refreshments on the terrace.

To book, please phone Tina: 0583 805815 (9.00 – 12.00) or Gemma: 349 8499704

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Ponte a Serraglio

The mule trail from Ponte a Serraglio to Granaiola

A dusting of snow at Ponte a Serraglio

Sad news at Ponte a Serraglio

2 events in Bagni di Lucca

The slow bells

Come to the chestnut festival at Ponte a Serraglio

Crazy weather

Little fish

A determined bird

Eremo di Calomini

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