Back at the chestnut woods of Sillico

Monday was another grand day, and so we headed for Sillico.  After a cappuccino in the walled town of Castiglione, we headed up the narrow road to Sillico, squeezing past some serious roadworks being done to repair recent landslides.

The crocuses were magnificent, many more than last year, and with the hellebores and primroses made a very spring-like scene.

After our walk, we went past the hot spring, and warm lake - the Pra di Lama - which actually has a large modern spa building nearby - sadly, an unfinished project.  Last year in early February, we were observing mating toads clustered around the warm water inlet despite snow lying around. This year, only swarms of hyperactive tadpoles were to be seen!

Castiglione

Simple picnic - bread, prosciutto, pecorino - at Sillico

Crocuses in abundance ...

... and hellebores pushing up through the chestnut leaves ...

... and a few earth-stars, the first we've seen

At the chestnut kiln

The placid waters of the Pra di Lama, still very much a winter's scene

At the seaside - and much more

Couldn't resist the temptation to have another look at the Carnevale at Viarreggio again this year - and to show it off to Jenny.  Another good day ensured that the seaside and carnival atmosphere were well provided for.  

As last year, the themes were very political, but seemed a bit more desperate this time somehow. Incongruously, one float referenced Scotland/Highlanders in an apparent swipe at Berlusconi's indestructibility!  Also there were a couple of floats suggesting that the effects of the IT revolution are far from benign ... 

On the beach before the start of proceedings

A malevolent internet spider catches its prey in the "Web"

The Scots make their unmistakeable appearance

A ghastly computer bug assails this unwary web surfer

The Italian people go mad despite electro-convulsive therapy from Beppe Grillo, and psychoanalysis from Dr Freud ...

... while this float shows Neptune reclaiming the Italian peninsula as it sinks without trace ...

A tank - "armoured with happiness and peace" - lifts the spirits ...

 ... and John Lennon finishes the parade with his own brand of peace and love ...

The floats fade into the distance as we head off for the train 

Half way home, these herons at on the top of a tree near Lucca station project a calm to contrast with the frenetic events in Viareggio

Back at Monte Gragno

On Saturday we took Jenny on the walk from Cardoso which we have just discovered.  As we were setting off in Cardoso, we discovered that the picnic had been left behind!   However, we had bought a loaf of potato bread on the way, and then discovered that the cafe in Cardoso has a small shop attached, so were able to buy a piece of lovely pecorino cheese, so the day was saved!

We had had a slow start, so we didn't make it all the way to Vallico di Sopra this time.  Great walk though.

Monte Pisanino - highest point of the Apuan Alps  - 1947 metres

We saw a few plants of a different Hellebore - Helleborus foetida - along the trail

Below the waterfall at the Buca di Castelvenere 

With horsey friends at our farthest point on the path

Sun still shining on the crags of Monte Gragno as we made our way back to Cardoso

Florence and Jenny

We met up with Jenny on Thursday, and after some sightseeing, headed to the Oltrarno quarter (the south bank of the Arno) for a splendid meal where the waiters were patient with our Italian!

Next day we again went across the river, and went up to the Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy the view of the city from above.

Back at Barga, Jenny and Barbara went down to the town and in the course of a tour of the shops and streets, managed to persuade someone to show them the little theatre, which was closed at the time - if you get my drift ...

Choosing a new dress in Florence?

Bill & Jenny with Duomo and Giotto's campanile

Barbara & Jenny with Arno and Florence 

Michelangelo's David eclipses the sun at Piazzale Michelangelo

Back in Barga, B&J have a private view of the Teatro dei Differenti

A walk and some eating ...

Since we have discovered the trattoria in Vallico di Sopra, the part of the valley we used to call "the Dark Side" seems to have more appeal!

The drive took us to the village of Fabbriche di Vallico, then up to Vallico di Sopra, where we left the car, and took the old mule track up to the upper settlement.  We had lunch outside in the sun at the trattoria where we ate among the hunters a few weeks ago, then headed off to do a part of the path which leads to Cardoso, and which Barbara and I have now done a few times.  It leads beneath the crags of Monte Gragno, and is quite spectacular.

Next day (Monday) we went with M&E to Lucca where we all had lunch before B&B headed for the station and home.

Bright water in a small limestone lake on the road up the valley - it couldn't be Scotland! 

Among the crocuses at Fabricche  di Vallico ...

 ... and a bit closer

A bridge on the trail between Vallico di Sotto and Sopra

Enjoying antipasto at Vallico di Sopra ...

... and a bit closer

Having dinner at La Serra that evening

Lunch in the Anfiteatro in Lucca

Barga, Sillico and Dinner

With the weather holding fair, Saturday was a good morning to slope down to Barga for coffee and a look at the market. Back home for lunch - potato bread and pecorino - grand local fare.

After lunch, we headed to Sillico to do our favourite walk through the chestnut woods.  Then home for a quick wash and brush-up before walking down to the Altana for an excellent dinner.  Great day.

M&B head through the aqueduct in Barga

A paintbox of house colours (and phonebox, making guest appearance ...)

M&B&B at the main gate of Barga old town

Elspeth & Malcolm up at the Duomo, with La Serra in the distance

Cool cats assemble in Sillico

More cool cats ...

At the Altana

Visitors ...

B&B met M&E off the train in Lucca, and after a pannino and a cappucino, we headed for Barga. After a cup of tea and a slice of brucellato, we were able to squeeze in a late walk up to Tiglio Alto before returning to get the pizza oven lit for the evening meal/entertainment.  A glass of Prosecco while Barbara prepared the pizza bases and Elspeth collated(?) the toppings.  

Oven up to 400°C - four pizzas done to perfection (the oven man is writing the blog!), and a good time had by all ...

Elspeth gets up close and personal with a clump of crocuses on the path to Tiglio Alto

View of the Apennines at sunset from Tiglio Alto

B&E prepare the pizzas while M catches up on his correspondence

Elspeth gets busy with the pizza paddle

Getting stuck in ...

Florence and E & M

Went to Florence on Wednesday  to see Malcolm and Elspeth, who are coming to visit us in Barga.   Great day of weather.  Had lunch on the south bank of the Arno and then met up later to go to Madame Butterfly at the Teatro Communale.  In between times B&B went to the Palazza delle Signoria - Florence's town hall since the 14th century.

Getting organised for the photo after lunch

The room of the five hundred in the Palazzio Vecchio

The duomo seen from the Palazzio Vecchio

Madama Butterfly poster

At the opera .. 

Barbara and Elspeth and Duomo after the opera