After weeks of rain some fine weather has finally arrived! Ponte a Serraglio is looking gorgeous.
I hope to visit lots of the other villages that make up Bagni di Lucca soon.
Is summer coming to Ponte a Serraglio?
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Tag Archives: Ponte a Serraglio
La Corona, a new opening
We are very excited at Ponte a Serraglio to see the opening of La Corona, the newly renovated hotel and restaurant. 
Perhaps the name is a little unfortunate right now, but the up side it is easy to remember.
We arrived just as heavy rain began. This was a pity as the outside areas of the hotel are lovely. I will show you those on a better day. We gathered in the brand new bar area.
There was delightful entertainment.
We were taken up to the first floor to see some of the rooms of the hotel. There are 15 rooms and they look great. Each room is decorated individually, with well appointed bathrooms. Several rooms have views over the river, with great views and a couple have their own balcony.
My good friend Tina and I were the first guests in the beautiful restaurant.
The food was excellent. We began with a selection of Tuscan delights.
We both chose the risotto.
Tina had pork belly with crustaceans.
I enjoyed the guinea fowl on a bed of chestnut bread.
La Corona is an excellent addition to Ponte a Seraglio. I wish everyone involved the best and hope they get lots of visitors soon.
There was huge storm last night which began while we were at the restaurant. It settled a bit, but in the middle of the night I was woken by the noise of the river rushing past my window. The water was as high and as turbulent as I have ever seen it. This morning the river had settled a lot, but it was still brown and flowing quickly under the bridge.
Unfortunately the forecast is for another week of stormy weather. I hope the weather bureau is wrong on this.
La Corona…Ponte a Serraglio.
My first sit down coffee
For the first time since 10th March I was able to sit down at Bar Italia to enjoy a coffee and sfoglia with a friend for breakfast.
It was dull day at Ponte a Serraglio, but that was no problem at all.
I forgot to photograph my sfoglia, but the rest is here. I can report that the bar is well organised with health concerns taken care of. We sat outside and there was lots of space between tables.
The geraniums are enjoying the rain and are growing. It is great to be able to visit Ponte a Serraglio!
The opening begins. Let’s hope it continues!
Ponte flowers
This morning I planted the geraniums on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio. I was happy to see Bar Italia open for takeaway. The fresh food shop next door was open and busy. The pharmacy had a well spaced queue in front and the Tabacchi was open. Life is beginning to return to the piazza.
It was a beautiful spring morning.
I left the yellow pansies because they have some life left in them. With some luck they will last until the geraniums grow bigger.
A difficult time
I put the pansies on the bridge in Ponte a Serraglio. earlier this week. I felt a bit like a criminal being outside when we are supposed to stay inside our homes. I thought it might cheer up our lovely village just a bit.
I am hoping that by the time they grow ( like these from a couple of years ago) in a few weeks this awful virus will have subsided somewhat and people can slowly return to normal life.
An Italian friend who has lived in Ponte a Serraglio for most of her life has told me she is proud of the way the people of Bagni di Lucca have responded to the lock down.
People are staying in their homes as much as possible. At least one local supermarket is making deliveries to all of the villages of Bagni di Lucca. A restaurant is cooking and delivering food to those who need it. The pharmacy at Ponte a Serraglio has an excellent system of serving customers while making sure there is safe contact.
If everyone plays their part to be safe and there is an improvement with the spread of the virus maybe the lock down will not need to be extended…let’s hope the effort is worthwhile.
Reflections
Autumn is a lovely time to be in Bagni di Lucca. The days are still warm and sunny and the mornings and evenings deliciously cool.
On clear, bright days the Lima River at Ponte a Serraglio looks stunning with the buildings reflected in the still water.
We have had some spectacular sunsets as well.
An afternoon of parrots
I am happy to be back in Bagni di Lucca in lovely autumn. This afternoon I walked along the river in front of my apartment to the Villa Fiori park for a “Raduno dei pappagalli” …meeting of parrots.
The park has been lovely cleaned and looked after by a group of volunteers and it is a home for gnomes now.
This afternoon parrots were invited.
Australia was represented by a couple of sulphur crested cockatoos.
There were other parrots out for the afternoon.
There was a talk about parrots and a display by a shop with parrot accoutrements.
Of course there were refreshments.
It was a delightful afternoon which was well attended.
It is lovely to be back in Ponte a Serraglio.
Wings drying in the sun
If you look closely at this photo you will see 2 birds standing on the wall in the river at Ponte a Serraglio.
One is a cormorant (I think. I am happy to be corrected) The black bird was drying his wings in the sun. He wasn’t there long before he flew off, no doubt looking for lunch.
It always surprises me to see seagulls on our river, but I suppose it is not all that far as the crow (or seagull) flies from the sea.
Green buds are beginning to appear on the trees. Spring is underway.
The sun is shining, but there is a fierce wind blowing.
Exhibition open
The artists’ exhibition is open at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio.
Here is a list of artists showing their work.
…a selection at the entrance and the main room of the casino.
Find 9 faces in this painting.
In the second room is a selection of photographs.
I was happy to see my friend Tina.
…and Annalisa from Bar Italia. Where would Ponte be without her and her team?
The small room.
I hope you will all visit over the next week.
Women’s Day
The annual Omaggio alla Donna events will be held at the casino in Ponte a Serraglio from 8 – 14 March..
There will be a series of events beginning on 8th March, with amusic recital after the inauguration at 9.00pm.
An exhibition of painting and sculpture will open on Saturday 9th March. The opening will be 10.00 – 12.30. After that it will be open in the afternoons from 4.30pm – 7.00pm. Continue reading
