I love this time of the year when I can see the amazing cachi trees bare except for their bright orange fruit.
You can eat them of course. If they are perfectly ripe they are delicious.
But it seems a pity to spoil this great view.
Today we had our first real taste of winter. The temperature stayed around 6 degrees for most of the day and it rained…a perfect day for a drive in the mountains.
There has been snow on Prato Fiorito, making it look gorgeous.
As we climbed higher towards Montefegatesi the snow was falling quite heavily.
Montefegatesi looks great at any time, but a dusting of snow makes it look even better.
We went for a short walk around the village. The temperature up there was zero.
There are storms all around us again tonight. Perhaps there will be even more snow tomorrow.
A summer celebration, Benvenuta Estate, was held in Fornoli yesterday. It was a gorgeous day in Piazza Aldo Moro. Lots of people came.
There were stalls selling arts and crafts.
There was food.
Children and parents got together to play wonderful old fashioned games.
Stories and music were provided by Luca Fabrizio and Pietrolino…it was great fun.
Later on there was dinner under the stars. I couldn’t stay for that, but I am sure it was every bit as good as the rest of the day…welcome summer.
It is late May and we have had snow in the mountains around Bagni di Lucca. There have been quite heavy falls above 1,400 metres. It certainly makes for some spectacular views, with the spring growth, blue skies and snow capped mountains.
Bagni di Lucca is a beautiful part of the world.
I think Ponte a Serraglio looks beautiful in any weather. I love the wet, misty days… they have their own beauty.
But when the sun shines Ponte a Serraglio comes to life. We have had far too many wet days this year. Spring is late coming, but there a finally signs that is on its way.
Canoeists and rafters are appearing in the river.
And there are flowers everywhere.
With a bit of luck our run of crummy weather is behind us and we can enjoy the delights of spring…better late than never.
I have been asked to do a survey.
In past years in summer, part of the main street in La Villa is closed to traffic and the area in the centre becomes a pedestrian area. The restaurants put tables outside on the street and the area in front of the Circolo dei Forestieri becomes a fun place for people to sit to eat and for children to play safely without the worry of cars.
This photo was taken yesterday, so you need to imagine that the trees are green and there are flowers everywhere.
Some car parking spaces are lost when the street is closed, but there is more parking behind the town. There is a road that goes behind the main street, so traffic is not disrupted.
There has been some talk that the street closing may not happen this year because a few businesses are not in favour of it.
I think it is a great idea, but I would like to know what you think. Would you like to see the centre of La Villa become a pedestrian area for a couple of months in summer?
If so, what hours would you like to see the street closed. If not, what are your objections?
Whatever your opinion, please leave a comment below, or send me an email….debrakolkka@gmail.com
It has been raining here in Bagni di Lucca for weeks. We are all sick of it. Late yesterday afternoon the rain stopped and a strange yellow light appeared over Ponte a Serraglio.
Then a rainbow appeared.
Then swallows began to swoop and dive along the river.
There is a saying here…Una rondine non fa primavera…One swallow doesn’t make spring. ( a bit like “One swallow doesn’t make a summer”). There were lots of swallows, so I’m hoping it is a sign.
A bit later there was a double rainbow. The photo is not great, but if you squint you might see it.
Rondine e un arcobaleno…I jumped in this morning and planted the pansies on the bridge. Let’s hope it doesn’t snow again.
Fornoli, Ponte a Serraglio and La Villa are the lowest of the villages of Bagni di Lucca at 120,130 and 150 metres above sea level. Montefegatesi is the highest, at almost 850 metres. The other villages are dotted around the mountains at various levels.
The recent snow melted fairly quickly in the low villages, but the roads to the upper villages were dangerous with snow and icy conditions for days. As soon as I thought it was safe I headed into the hills to see what was left of the snow.
Colle is the hill village directly in front of my apartment and it looked particularly lovely with its snowy cover as I set off.
The roads to the higher villlages are even more narrow than usual with their edges lined with snow.
Vico Pancellorum was enjoying a sunny day after the snow.
Looking the other way was a tiny village nestled in the shadow of a mountain.
Vico Pancellorum’s olive trees seem to have survived the snow.
The narrow streets haven’t had enough sun yet to melt the snow.
Goats hoping for some warmer weather.
There were some stunning views from the top of Vico Pancellorum.
On the way out of Vico Pancellorum I spotted some very colourful washing drying in the sun.
The ski lift looks as though it could be useful today.
I drove to San Cassiano next for some different views.
On the way back to Ponte a Serraglio I could see lovely Lugliano in the distance.
With a bit of luck I will get to some of the other villages while there is stil some snow lying around.
It started snowing early this morning and it has continued all day. This doesn’t happen very often in Bagni di Lucca, so I went out walking around Ponte a Serraglio and up to Bagni Caldi to make the most of it. Come for a walk up the hill and back with me.
Some of these photos look black and white, but they aren’t. The snow became heavier as the day went on and while I was out walking a fog rolled in and the visibility became very poor.
The roads have been treacherous. The snow plough has had trouble keeping the road clear.
You don’t often see snow on palm trees.
There is not much use for these now.
This was as far up the hill as I went. I heard several trees cracking and falling under the weight of the snow, so I thought it was time to head home.
Le Torre disappeared completely from view seconds after this was taken.
It has been a beautiful day in Bagni di Lucca. Click here to see photos I took earlier in the day at Ponte a Serraglio.
If the roads become safe I will head to some of the other villages to see the snow there.
Helibores grow wild under the trees all over Bagni di Lucca. Even though there is snow on the ground these hardy little plants are beginning to appear.
Here’s one we prepared earlier. I photographed this one last year in Limano. They are such pretty little flowers…I’m glad they are back.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 