And weather is not an exception. Our wonderful dry sunny spell which lasted almost four weeks, left us a few days ago and was replaced by a warm foggy dampness. However, plenty stuff to be done indoors (eg learn italian - again!) and yesterday evening, the fog cleared, and allowed the "Presepio Vivente" to go ahead in almost perfect conditions.
These "living nativity" scenes take place all over Italy in various forms, but in Barga, various crafts and trades from times gone by are illustrated by tableaux set up in the streets of the town and in cellars of the houses. Knife-grinders, wood carvers, stone carvers, blacksmiths, knitters, carders, spinners, olive pressers and many more vie for the attention of the spectators, while stalls offer mulled wine and foods of the region for our refreshment. The town was very busy, more so than last year, when it was colder, and some of the tiny lanes were virtually one-way for pedestrians, who at times had to make way as the odd donkey or goat passed upon its way ...
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| The scene greeting the eye these last few mornings |
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| A blacksmith at work at a portable forge in the presepio |
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| An ancient surgeon displays his fearsome tools |
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| Action with the two man saw |
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| Ladies toasting and dispensing barley coffee (orzo tostato) - it's caffeine free! |
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| The fog clears a bit again this afternoon (Tuesday) |
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