The inclement weather has not kept me totally housebound. Last week I went with friends into the mountains beyond Bagni di Lucca.
We drove past Montefegatesi, the highest of the villages and through an enchanting chestnut forest.
We came upon a herd of goats on their way home.
My friends stopped to collect kindling from a friend’s farm for their fire.
As we went higher we could see snow.
A bit higher and we were driving through it.
There were mountain streams, some still running and some frozen solid.
We dropped into Casentina Rifugio to get warm by the fire. Their coffee and cake is excellent.
Spring will be here soon, we saw signs.
Despite the rain, I love winter in the mountains. I find it incredibly beautiful and completely different from my Australian home.
Part of your last comment would have to be the understatement of the decade! 🙂
By: Irene Hay on March 13, 2018
at 10:06 pm
Sometimes when I am driving up the mountain to Casa Debbio I wonder to myself how somebody who grew up by the beach on the Gold Coast ended up in the Tuscan mountains. I’m glad I did.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 13, 2018
at 10:50 pm
Magic! Loved the frozen streams!
By: Anonymous on March 13, 2018
at 10:39 pm
I love winter here, even though this constant rain can be annoying.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 13, 2018
at 10:51 pm
Like the comment above, the first word that comes to my mind is magical! Such a different Italy than what first comes to mind.
By: Stacy di Anna Pollard on March 13, 2018
at 10:44 pm
It is not what most people expect of Tuscany.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 13, 2018
at 10:52 pm
Have you been up there before Deb….looks much higher than Montefegatesi?
By: Kerry & Jim on March 14, 2018
at 5:11 am
I have been up in that area before, but I have been via a different road.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 14, 2018
at 1:35 pm
It is Nature’s Wonderland!
By: Mulino Dominillo on March 14, 2018
at 5:19 am
I love visiting this area.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 14, 2018
at 1:36 pm
😍😍😍😍
By: coolpeterben on March 14, 2018
at 6:57 am
It does look quite fresh. I love that stone building in the top few photos. And what about those goats? would they milk then to make cheese or sell them for their meat? Do you know? Louise
By: The Year I Touched My Toes on March 14, 2018
at 9:47 am
The goats belong to friends of my friends in the photo. The goats and some sheep are milked to make cheese. I particularly like their ricotta made from sheep’s milk. I love that these farming activities are still happening in the area. It is difficult to see young people becoming involved so I wonder how long it will continue.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 14, 2018
at 1:34 pm
Yes it will be interesting but I have youth unemployment is really bad in Italy. There was a program (cooking?) on SBS recently where young people in Italy had gone back to the villages and were starting boutique traditional businesses around food.
By: The Year I Touched My Toes on March 15, 2018
at 8:16 am
Beautiful indeed!
By: maru clavier on March 14, 2018
at 11:37 am
Each season has its own delights.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 14, 2018
at 1:36 pm
I love the old trees.
By: Sherry Felix on March 14, 2018
at 2:59 pm