In Pinocchio country (part 1)

Today we continued our exploration of our area with a visit to the little town of Collodi, just over an hour away in another valley.  Carlo Lorenzini, who in 1880 wrote Pinocchio, lived in the town and adopted it as his pen-name.  Today, there is a modest Pinocchio park, and some souvenir shops selling versions of the famous marionette.

Barbara had found a new walk in one of Pietro's many books, which allowed us to walk to the neighbouring town of Pescia over a beautiful well-made paved road through olive groves.  Despite the freezing cold ground temperatures, it was warm in the sun, and people were everywhere deploying large orange nets below the trees, and getting on with the olive harvest.

Pinocchio literally dominates Collodi ...

... but so does the magnificent Villa Garzoni, and has done since 1652 ...

... and its equally splendid garden, not open today

Exotic palms lined some parts of the path ...

... which was paved (mostly) and on the level (mostly) - grand for an amble!

The orange nets make quite a contrast with the green sward

But they must take a lot of setting up 

Looking back, a picturesque village appears on the hillside