I wasn’t able to attend the recent festival in Montefegatesi, but friend Matteo Offe was there and took some great photos of what looked like a fun day. Montefegatesi has a great community spirit and it is excellent to see people come together and enjoy themselves.
Thank you Matteo for sharing a great day with us.
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.
I awoke to snow falling at Ponte a Serraglio. It started slowly and it looked as though it would melt before it hit the ground, but it gradually became heavier and began to turn everything white.
Ponte 
By the late afternoon the snow was mostly gone, but it was lovely while it lasted.
I’m back at Ponte a Serraglio for a while. The stormy weather continues. Today was a mixture of rain, hail, thunder, bits of blue sky…and repeat.
The house of a friend.
I like the leaves on the footpath.
I have walked past this many times, but not really noticed how lovely it is.
I don’t mind a bit of wet weather and the occasional storm, but this weather has been frightening. I am surprised there is not more damage after these ferocious storms.
Autumn is a great time to walk on the stunning wall that surrounds Lucca. The trees are losing their leaves quickly now. Soon the trees will be bare. Come for a walk…
This lovely old tree just outside the wall looks as though it is set for removal. It has been fenced off perhaps because there is a danger of falling branches.
I love walking through the tunnels and up the stairs onto the wall.
I was lucky to be there on a glorious autumn day.
Walking on the Lucca wall is wonderful in any season. Best of all Lucca is just 30 minutes from Bagni di Lucca.
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.
Looking back on 2018
January.
Bar Italia has a party to celebrate its renovation. Congratulations to Annalise and her crew for a job well done.
February.
Winter at Montefegatesi.
March
The chestnut forest on the way to Orrido di Botri in winter.
April.
Spring appears quickly.
The wonderful new fruit and vegetable shop opened in Ponte a Serraglio.
May.
Frassino trees put on a spectacular show for a few weeks.
June. Geraniums thrived at Ponte a Serraglio.
July.
The stunning pool reopened in La Villa after extensive renovations.
August.
People gather at Villa Web to celebrate the poet Shelley.
September.
Chestnuts begin to ripen.
October.
The leaves begin to change colour.
November.
Golden autumn.
December.
Christmas at Ponte a Serraglio.
I look forward to a brand new year in bella Bagni di Lucca.
Just before I left Italy in early November I drove up to Montefegatesi hoping to see some autumn colour in the forest just outside the village. I was a bit early, but I could see the changes.
It is always good to stop at the little church beside the road on the way down the mountain.
By now the leaves will probably be gone and the scene will be wintery. That is wonderful too.
We have had a dramatic change in the weather. The lovely sunny days gave way to torrential rain, howling wind, thunder and lightning in the last couple of days.
The river has turned brown and is moving quickly.
The first showers made for some lovely autumn scenes.
I hope the weather is fine for these 2 events coming up in Bagni di Lucca.
The sun is out now. Let’s hope it lasts for a while.
I love to see Lucchio clinging to its mountain. Here it is in rain and mist in autumn.
When I return to Bagni di Lucca I will enjoy the stunning winter view. I am hoping for snow.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 