Travelling doesn’t always go to plan. One of my flights to Italy was cancelled which meant I had 15 hours at Hong Kong airport. I paid to go to a lounge to wait in relative comfort, but it was a long wait!
My stop over in Helsinki was cut short as a result but I managed to have a great day despite the freezing wind and bursts of rain.
I left the hotel the next morning at 5.00am to take the bus to the airport. There was a bit of a delay at check in because of a luggage conveyor belt problem, but eventually all was resolved.
It seems it may not have been completely resolved as half of the luggage did not arrive in Milan. I waited in line for nearly 3 hours to leave a delivery address for my suitcase.
Because of a recent derailment some trains from Milan were cancelled and others were full. I waited 2 hours for a train. It came on time but managed to be 35 minutes late arriving in Bologna. Fortunately the train to Florence was also late so I didn’t have to change my ticket.
The delay meant I missed a connection in Florence for Lucca and had to wait for the next train. A lovely friend picked me up in Lucca for the last leg to Bagni di Lucca where I arrived at 9.00pm…a very long day.
Fortunately my suitcase has been delivered a few days later. The one good thing about the mishap was that I didn’t have to drag mysuitcase all the way here.
It is great to be back in this part of the world. Bagni di Lucca is wearing its winter coat and I love it!
The winter view from Casa Debbio is lovely.
Our garden has survived the winter and the daffodils are looking fabulous.
This may not look like much but I am excited to see my peonies beginning to appear.
The weeping cherry is about to blossom.
There are buds on the rhododendrons.
We have lots to do in the garden. First of all the areas dug up by the wild boar need to be smoothed over and the lavender needs pruning.
…bring on some sunny days.
Oh Deb what an arduous journey and then no luggage!!! Glad you are safe and sound with the prospect of some hard graft in the garden!! Enjoy x
By: Jan Williams on February 25, 2020
at 8:26 pm
I will be hard at work in the garden in the next few days. It all looks a bit daunting, but it will get done. I can’t wait to see it all come to life.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2020
at 4:18 am
Aaaah lovely Italy! So glad you made it through all those delays!
By: sheilasunshine on February 25, 2020
at 8:46 pm
I am happy that my suitcase arrived. I am going to try to travel with carry on in the future.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2020
at 4:19 am
What a nightmare journey….but at least you are back now! The winter view from Casa Debbio certainly is lovely!
By: Sue on February 25, 2020
at 8:52 pm
At least I was on my way home. I felt sorry for the passengers going on holiday without their luggage. It is nice to be back.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2020
at 4:21 am
Looks lovely Deb, glad you arrived safe eventually. What an exciting time to be back in your garden!
Barb x
By: barbaraheath on February 25, 2020
at 10:36 pm
It is great to see signs of life in the garden. It will all happen quickly in a few weeks.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2020
at 4:21 am
I never get tired of seeing the changing of the seasons at your lovely Italian abode.
By: Derin Gemignani on February 25, 2020
at 11:13 pm
Me either! It is fun to wake up every morning to see what has changed. It all happens quickly once spring comes.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2020
at 4:22 am
What a drag to get to Bagni di Lucca. Now you can enjoy the awakening of spring in your lovely garden.
By: www.corneliaweber-photography.com on February 26, 2020
at 3:08 am
It is a great time of the year to be here, especially since I come from sub tropical Queensland where there is little change in the seasons.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2020
at 4:24 am
Wow, that was quite a journey. Your photos are lovely- just got a teensy bit of excited 🤓
By: Jan on February 26, 2020
at 5:01 am
The garden will be springing to life by the time you get here.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2020
at 5:11 am
When you travel a lot, from time to time it happens. And just like that, an accumulation of mishaps. Very annoying when you are fighting jet lag and exhaustion. But we all survive…
Good to hear that you are safe and sound in Bagni.
By: Mulino Dominillo on February 26, 2020
at 5:15 am
Yes, it happens. Fortunately I was on my way to Bagni di Lucca and home so I just sat back and went along with it.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 26, 2020
at 5:33 am
What a trip! So pleased that your luggage has arrived to you! Enjoy your stay. We look forward to seeing the progress in the garden up at Casa Debbio and your journeys further afield.
By: Kerry & Jim on February 26, 2020
at 6:49 am
Tha’ts very true and delays often result in a knock on effect so you definitely need a lot of patience! Glad that your luggage arrived.
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on February 27, 2020
at 5:43 am
So pleased you made it. Enjoy beautiful Bagni Di Lucca and beyond Debi; it’s looking beautiful
By: Christine Collins on February 29, 2020
at 3:24 pm
I’ve only had one suitcase mishap, and my friend blamed it on De Gaulle. The airport that is.
By: chef mimi on March 2, 2020
at 3:39 pm
[…] I arrived in Italy a year ago today, 22nd February, after an eventful trip from Australia. I had forgotten about the difficulties until I looked at the post I wrote shortly after arriving… The joy of travel […]
By: A year in Italy | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on February 22, 2021
at 8:27 am