We have just had our second day of lock down in Italy. We are asked to stay a home and leave only for essential things like buying food and necessities.
We also have to carry a form with our details and why we are away from our houses. I didn’t have a form, but yesterday I wanted to go down to our apartment in Bagni di Lucca. I bought the flowers for the bridge on Monday before lock down and could not plant them because it was raining.
I fully expected to be stopped by police before I got to Bagni di Lucca, but there was no roadblock so I went to the apartment, gathered a few extra things and planted the pansies on the bridge.
I had a quick coffee at the empty Bar Italia. Annalisa had done a great job to make sure people didn’t have to be close to each other. All the tables were pushed back from the bar and many had been removed to give plenty of space. That was the last day it was allowed to open. All bars and restaurants are now closed.
I bought some supplies from the great little fruit and vegetable shop next door where only one person at a time was allowed in.
Then I headed to the nursery on the way back to Vergemoli. Just before the turnoff to the nursery I came to a road block and was stopped by police. I was asked for the form which I didn’t have and explained that I don’t have a printer at home and did not know where to get one.
I gave him my identification and he asked me why I was away from home. I said I had been shopping and had bought petrol. He let me off with a warning and told me to find a form.
After a bit of asking around I found a couple of forms in the village, so I am all set if I have to venture down the mountain again for supplies.
Casa Debbio is a 10 minute walk outside Vergemoli so it is easy to keep apart from people. Filippo comes up most days to help in the garden but we stay a fair distance from each other.
It is really no trial at all to be isolated at Casa Debbio. The garden is a delight and is changing every day.
There are daffodils everywhere.
Violets are popping up.
We have 4 weeping cherries. The first one was planted about 6 years ago and is about to look gorgeous.
One of the new ones already has blossoms.
Wild daisies are coming up all over the paths. They are tiny and I want them to spread everywhere.
The magnolia stellata has flowers.
I don’t remember the name of this bush, but it is covered in tiny white flowers.
Some peonies have buds. The tree peonies are the first to get flowers and the others are just poking their pink heads out of the ground. I actually have some tiny plants that seem to have grown from seed…amazing!
The rosemary is covered in flowers.
The holly has bright yellow flowers.
I hope the wisteria will soon start to bloom and cover the pergola.
The roses have buds.
One of my camellias has avoided being eaten by wild goats.
Hellebores are thriving under the cherry tree.
Acanthus is zooming along. This year for the first time plants are popping up all over the garden. Seeds must have been spread about. Tiny plants are growing where they are not wanted so I have been digging them up and putting them where I want them.
There have been some pretty sunrises.
We were very excited to spot the first bee 🐝 in the garden today…life goes on regardless of this horrible virus.
Stay healthy everyone.