It’s cold out there!

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

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.

Click here and here for more on Montefegatesi.

Our first snowfall

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The weather has turned cold and there is a fierce wind blowing through the mountains. There have been some dramatic skies and we thought we could see a light dusting of snow on the distant mountains.

As we got closer we could clearly see snow on the top of the mountains.

I think it is beautiful. Perhaps it will snow again tonight. It seems cold enough.

Some late snow for Bagni di Lucca

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

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.

Snow on the mountain villages

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

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’s snowing in Bagni di Lucca

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

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.

Seasons

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Debra Kolkka

One of the things I like most about living in Bagni di Lucca is the change of seasons. I love the starkness of winter with the occasional promise of snow.