Two exhibitions at Circolo dei Forestieri

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Circolo dei Forestieri in La Villa is currently hosting 2 art exhibitions.

The first is a display of Mailart. Beautifully decorated envelopes have been sent to Bagni di Lucca from far and wide and are now on show.

The second is an exhibition is called Sacred and Profane…a selection of plaster statues produced by Arte Barsanti, a local factory which has been in operation since 1900. Bagni di Lucca is well known for its production of plaster presepi, nativity scenes. Here is a chance to see some beautiful pieces. Click here to see more about Arte Barsanti.

Both exhibitions are on until 25th July. Go up the stairs beside the restaurant.

Thank you Morena and Kerry for the great photos.

Tug-of-war…Fornoli vs Chifenti

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

On Saturday afternoon there was to be a tug-of-war between the opposing teams of Fornoli and Chifenti. Fornoli is part of Bagni di Lucca and Chifenti belongs to Borgo a Mozzano. The towns sit on either side of the Ponte delle Catene…the chain bridge.

I arrived promptly at 4.00pm to find the rope positioned on the bridge.

There was a band.

There was a demonstration tug-of-war by a very good looking team.

It was good natured competition.

Did I mention that they were good looking? I found a special one for you.

The professionals tackled the locals.

The children tested their muscles.

The band marched across the bridge and back again.

There was one very interested spectator.

I would love to show you the actual competition, but I waited…and I waited. The event was supposed to begin at 4.00pm. I waited in the hot sun until 6.30pm and then I gave up and went home. I found out the next day that it went ahead at 7.30pm…late, even by Italian standards…what a pity.

Click here to see another fun event in Bagni di Lucca on the weekend…the crossbow competition in the grounds of Villa Ada.

Breakfast beside the Lima river

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

I saw this gorgeous creature standing quietly and elegantly by the water at Ponte a Serraglio waiting for breakfast to pass by.

She was showing a complete lack of interest, but I’m sure if she had seen movement in the water she would have swooped quickly onto the unsuspecting fish.

After a while she moved away, perhaps she wasn’t hungry after all.

There is a heron nesting in a tree high above my house at Ponte a Serraglio. I wonder if it is this one. If so, she doesn’t have far to fly for breakfast.

What’s happening in Bagni di Lucca?

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

There are a few things happening in Bagni di Lucca soon.

Firstly, on 12th and 13th June at the Sala Parocchiale at Via Vittorio Emanuele, 32 in Ponte a Serraglio there will be a puppet show for children. The show is being performed by the Carideo Clan and Friends and promises to be a lot of fun. Come along at 7.00pm.

Onn Saturday 15 June at the Piazza delle Ponte Catene is a tug-of-war, for men, women and children. Be there at 4.00pm.

This Sunday, 16th June is the day of the Palio della Val di Lima…Palio della Balestra…the crossbow competition. I went last year and just happen to have some photos. Click here for more on the event. I strongly urge you to attend this one. It starts at around 9.00am and runs all day in Bagni alla Villa, with the competition taking place in the grounds of the Villa Ada.

In Fornoli on June 23rd the Festival to welcome summer will take place. This one is new for me. I hope we have a fine day. Be in Piazza Aldo Moro in Fornoli at 3.00pm. At 8.15 there will be dinner under the stars at a cost of 15 euro…to book call 347 07756788.

A cooking lesson with Gabriella

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

One of the things that people love to do when they come to Italy is to have cooking lessons with an Italian cook…with good reason. I was very lucky to be included in a lesson with the delightful Gabriella Lazzarini, organised by Heather Jarman of Sapori-e-Saperi.

The lesson took place in beautiful Casabasciana, so I went a litttle early to enjoy some late afternoon views of the mountains.

Gabriella had prepared a wonderful menu for us. We all put on our aprons and got ready. The first course was antipasti consisting of crostini con stracchino e salsiccia and crostini con fegatino di pollo…crostini withh soft cheese and sausage and chicken liver.

Primo piatto, first course, was delicious chestnut ravioli with a filling of ricotta and nettles, with a butter and sage sauce. We all got to play with the flour and make our own pasta.

Zuppa followed…a very special soup called garmugia. It is cooked only in May when the last of the winter artichokes combine with the spring fava beans, peas, asparagus and new onions.

Secondo piatto was faraona ripiena, stuffed guinea fowl, served with insalata mista.

Dolce was castagnaccio con ricotta, a crispy chestnut cake served with a delicious fresh ricotta which Heather brought directly from the cheese maker.

Gabriella is a lot of fun. She doesn’t speak English, which was all part of the fun and Heather was there to translate anything we couldn’t follow. The very best part of cooking lessons is that you can eat the results.

Gabriella will also prepare a meal for you to have at home. For lessons, or a delicious meal using the freshest local ingredients, contact Heather at info@sapori-e-saperi.com.

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.

I am completely sick of the rain!

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

Yes, I know this looks beautiful, the river has turned once again into a raging torrent and the trees are green, but enough of this rain!!! It has been pouring here for the last couple of days and it has become cold again. We need some sun to make the geraniums thrive.

This little fellow doesn’t appear to be too bothered by the wet. He was out this morning for a walk.

At least someone is happy about the rain.

Time for a change

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

The time has come to take the jaunty little pansies from the bridge at Ponte a Serraglio and replace them with geraniums for the summer. The pansies didn’t do very well this spring because of the constant rain, but they still managed to put on a good show.

Geraniums are wonderfully hardy and brighten up the bridge for the summer. Now that Wendy and Darren are taking care of them they are doing especially well. The flowers are tough, but they do like a bit of water and fertiliser occasionally.

We are very excited that Bagni di Lucca will host its very first Art Festival this summer.

It would be great if everyone put in an extra effort with their flowers this year…plant an extra pot of geraniums, or petunias, or roses…anything really. Nothing makes a place look prettier than flowers tumbling from every space. What a beautiful way to welcome visitors to the town.

The festival organisers would love some potted plants to decorate the newly renovated shops where the artists will have their studios along the street at Ponte a Serraglio. If you have a spare pot or some plants please email Jaqueline at artfestivalbagnidilucca@gmail.com. All donations will be gratefully received.

The shops are almost complete and looking teriffic. I will take some photos soon to show you what a marvelous job the volunteers have done.

Doves in Villa Fiori Park

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

La Festa della Colombina…the festival of the little dove…is to be held on 19th May in the beautiful Villa Fiori Park in Ponte a Serraglio.

There was a tradition in the late 1800s to bake bread in the shape of a dove and serve it in the Ponte a Serraglio cafes. There will be an opportunity to taste Colombina in the park along with other treats.

Stalls selling local products will be there and you will be able to join in games from the time of our grandparents…adults and children together.

For a small fee it will be possible to paint your own Colombina…a small statuette designed by Maureen Halson. Here are 2 we prepared earlier.

I walked past the Villa Fiori Park a little while ago and the gardener was there preparing the park for us. I hope you will all come from about 10.00am on Sunday 19th May for what I am sure will be a fun day. There is lots of parking beside the Park.

As well as this, on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May the Croce Rossa Italiana, (Red Cross) Bagni di Lucca branch, will be presenting a health care information event.

It is to be held in the piazza in front of the Circolo dei Forestieri from 3.00pm – 6.30pm on Saturday and on Sunday from 10.00am – 1.00pm and 3.00pm – 6.30pm. It is free of charge. I think everyone should attend this…I’m sure we would all like to lead healthy lives.

From now until 18th May check what is happening at Teatro Accademico. The School Theatre Festival, which has been running for 20 years is on over the next few weeks, with performances by local school children. To see more about this step over to From London to Longoio.

I had a small complaint recently that I only talk about events after they have happened. It is not always easy to know what is going on in the area. I try to keep my eyes and ears open, but often things are not all that well publicised.

If you are organising and event, or know of something happening, and you would like to me to talk about it, please email me at debrakolkka@gmail.com and I will do my best to write about it on the blog.

Breakfast at the station

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Debra Kolkka

My friend Heather and I were waiting for a train at the Fornoli station the other morning when we spotted a small herd of goats, with their owner and their dog, having breakfast beside the tracks.