I have returned to beautiful Bagni di Lucca after being away for almost 4 months. I love the winter here, especially the view from my balcony in Ponte a Serraglio.
Time for a walk to see familiar things.
Spring will be here soon, I love that too.
It is good to be back in bella Bagni di Lucca.
While it might not be great for those who are here on holidays, the recent rain is very welcome after a dry, hot summer.
I like the misty morning and the sound of the rain at Ponte a Serraglio.
The rain is needed to fill dams, the springs that feed the rivers and the poor distressed plants. Let’s hope we get good rain over the next few months.
Ponte a Serraglio will be the star of Sunday’s guided walk. If you can’t make it today remember the date of the next one.
Ponte a Serraglio has an excellent pre-loved clothing shop. It is part of the Auser group. It is on the road between the Piazza in Ponte a Serraglio and La Villa.
There is a wonderful selection of clothing and accessories…a great addition to Ponte a Serraglio.
Piera, who owns and runs the excellent fruit and vegetable shop in Ponte a Serraglio, is from Sicily. She and her husband are now selling snap frozen Sicilian delights in the shop. They have arancini and pastries in different sizes.
There are sauces to go with them as well.
Of course they still sell a great range of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Drop in a say hello to lovely Piera.
The restaurant at Algergo Corona is in a beautiful setting over looking over the Lima River. In spring and summer it is especiially delightful when there are tables outside on the terraces. With the weather beginning to warm up the outdoor dining should begin soon..
We were invited last night to meet the new chef, Stefano Gallo, and try the new menu. Stefano has lots of experience both in Italy and overseas. This is evident in the execution and presentation of the dishes we enjoyed.
We chose a five course degustation menu and asked the chef to select them for us. Every one was delicious…take a look. 1. red mullet with pappa al pomodoro. 2.seafood soup. 3. cacio e pepe (particularly delicious) 4. cappelletti (another favourite) 5. cod with endive. The cheesecake dessert was a delightful extra.
I look forward to trying more dishes on the menu soon. I’m sure they will be every bit as good as the ones we enjoyed.
I braved the freezing wind today to plant pansies on the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio. The bridge will be closed for a week from tomorrow so I wanted to get them in first.
The magnolia tree in the background will be in bloom soon.
I am expecting several plants to be stolen, it happens every year. Last week a miserable grub chopped off some lovely little daffodils and placed them carefully in the pot.
Anyway, I love to see flowers on the bridge…spring is on the way.
On a cold and frosty afternoon Ponte a Serraglio was full of Christmas fun and frivolity.
Santa was there in a couple of forms.
Who doesn’t love a Christmas alpaca?
Fun for children.
Things to eat.
Happy faces.
Merry Christmas from Ponte a Serraglio. Thank you to the traders in Ponte a Serraglio for organising the Chrismas party.
Santa has arrived in his sleigh at Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio.
Ponte a Serraglio is very lucky to have a wonderful fruit and vegetable shop owned and run by the lovely Piera. She and her husband come from Sicily where they still have a farm.
This Christmas they have selected some delicious treats from Sicliy to sell in their tiny shop. It is now brimming with great Christmas gifts or special things for feasts with friends and family.
Of course they still have their regular supply of excellent fruit and vegetables.
Christmas is not far away!
Bella Bagni di Lucca 