Apart from the occasional trip down the mountain to the supermarket in Gallicano I have been in lockdown alone at Casa Debbio for 3 weeks. Filippo comes up from the village below to work in the garden sometimes, but we keep our distance.
Watching the world on BBC world news makes me realise how lucky I am to be where I am right now. Casa Debbio is the perfect place to be away from the world. Possibly the only other place I might like to be in isolation would be a private beach where I could swim in the surf every day.
I also feel very lucky that I am here in spring. The view below me changes every day. The trees are turning green while I watch.
We have a dondola, a swing chair, that sits on one of our terraces. It is brought inside for the winter and just before lockdown, when there was a man here to work on the roof, he helped Filippo to take it outside for me. It has been put on the terrace directly in front of the house for now and I like to sit there in the morning to have my coffee while admiring the view. I am not accustomed to sitting doing nothing, but right now it seems OK.
Here is my latest pastry, delicious blueberry and ricotta.
I made a small pizza for one the other night. I make bread every few days and I kept some of the dough to make a pizza base.
The old proverb tells us that a watched pot never boils. The same might apply to peonies appearing. After almost 3 weeks of standing in front of one of my peonies 3 or 4 times a day and speaking nicely to it, the last peony has appeared. Yesterday afternoon a tiny crimson point emerged from the soil.
Yesterday I dug up the baby peonies I found all over the garden and planted them in pots where I can keep an eye on them. They would not have grown in the odd places they appeared. They are tiny and still have the seeds attached. I wonder how many will survive out of the 20 I found. Time will tell. 2 out of the 3 I planted last year have reappeared.
Forsythia is flowering all over the garden.
Ginestra is flowering.
The weeping cherry is getting its leaves.
The rhododendrons are looking great.
A gazania has avoided being eaten. Perhaps my shouting at the goats is working.
A wild fruit tree, possibly plum, has blossoms.
Wisteria is about to bloom.
It looks as though wisteria will cover our pergola this year.
One of the tree peonies has buds about to open.
Yesterday my first peony bloomed.
Today is was open more…complete with bee.
Most of the daffodils are finished, but a few are still hanging on.
The ricotta plants will soon have blooms.
We have lots of fruit trees and they are beginning to blossom and soon there will be lilacs…and who knows what else might appear. It looks as though lockdown will continue a few more weeks so I will have time to observe the developments.
This pandemic is an absolute nightmare
By: stevenjohn1964 on March 30, 2020
at 5:58 pm
It is awful! I feel very privileged to be able to sit it out at our mountain house.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 30, 2020
at 6:26 pm
Lovely!! Flowers/plants help so much to dispel the reality of our situation. I feel guilty being one of few living in Barcelona who can escape to my terrace (on a warm day) to look and care for the garden I’ve created on my 50 meters of space….and sure to be my sanctuary in the coming weeks until this has passed or at least subsided for a time. Always love your fotos.
By: Damon Bopp on March 30, 2020
at 6:04 pm
Thank you! I feel guilty too. I know the situation is dire for many people.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 30, 2020
at 6:27 pm
I love your photos, they are lovely. Are you in Italy?
By: andalucia13 on March 30, 2020
at 6:06 pm
Yes, our house is near a mountain village called Vergemoli. It is the Garfagnana, an area near Lucca in northern Tuscany.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 30, 2020
at 6:28 pm
It looks gorgeous. I am a bit jealous
By: andalucia13 on March 30, 2020
at 6:35 pm
You are, indeed, privileged to be at your mountain house, Debra 😊
By: Sue on March 30, 2020
at 8:13 pm
It looks like I will be here for a few more weeks so it is just as well I like it.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 30, 2020
at 9:13 pm
Quite!
By: Sue on March 31, 2020
at 7:22 am
Hi Debra. I haven’t heard of ricotta plants. I assume they have white flowers? It must be a little challenging being in isolation alone. I am in Sydney and my husband and I have been keeping to ourselves for a couple of weeks now. I’m grateful for our garden as well as it gives me some things to do and somewhere to soak up some sun.
We all watch in dismay at what is happening in Italy. I know we all hope things turn around soon. Stay safe. Maree xxx
By: MAREE on March 30, 2020
at 9:00 pm
The flowers look a bit like small hydrangeas. They start of green and end up white and the do look a bit like ricotta. I can’t remember the correct name for them. They should be blooming soon.
I hope this difficult time ends soon for all of us. Stay well.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 30, 2020
at 9:15 pm
Such a lovely place. I’m glad you have a good place to be, but sad about the reason. Best wishes to you.
By: sheilasunshine on March 30, 2020
at 9:19 pm
It is a sad and difficult time. I hope you are OK in your part of the world.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:40 am
Oh here come your fabulous 70 peony plants. Love how your garden is getting even prettier each spring as it becomes more established.
Well done Fillipo and you.
By: Dianne Cant on March 30, 2020
at 9:57 pm
The peonies bloom over a 6 – 8 week period. I love to watch them and this year I have all the time in the world to do so.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:41 am
Love seeing all your photos of the beautiful garden and everything coming into growth and bloom. It must be fascinating. We spent 2 hours yesterday in our garden which is small but enjoyed the time & sun hoping it kills the virus. Take care and hope all will change soon.
By: Camillus Davall on March 30, 2020
at 11:02 pm
We are lucky to have gardens to enjoy.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:42 am
Everything looks so lovely, Debbie. Thanks for sh it with us. 🙂
By: timitownsend51 on March 30, 2020
at 11:29 pm
Every day there is something new in the garden. I love it.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:42 am
Yes, you are certainly in a beautiful spot to be in isolation Deb. It is so lovely to see the garden changing its mood every day.
By: Kerry & Jim on March 30, 2020
at 11:54 pm
Your garden is great too. While I am enjoying spring you have autumn…2 beautiful seasons.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:43 am
[…] 3 weeks of lockdown — Bagni di Lucca and Beyond […]
By: 3 weeks of lockdown — Bagni di Lucca and Beyond – Hyce focus technology on March 31, 2020
at 12:30 am
I agree with you. Sitting doing nothing except watching nature is a very relaxing occupation. I’m also enjoying this lockdown, but feel sorry for people who are stuck in more confined spaces.
By: anotherday2paradise on March 31, 2020
at 1:51 am
It is a difficult time for so many people. Let’s hope it ends soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:44 am
Some of us are indeed very fortunate – the boat and the beautiful Queensland beaches are so beautiful and the weather has been gorgeous
By: Elizabeth Valerie Litzow on March 31, 2020
at 3:41 am
Let’s hope this rotten virus goes away soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:45 am
You could not find a better place to spend in isolation. Enjoy!
By: Mulino Dominillo on March 31, 2020
at 4:01 am
I know. I hope you are OK. Spain has been badly hit. It is difficult to watch what is happening every day.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:46 am
Debra, don’t even have the thought of feeling guilty, you are sharing all this with us and I really loved the tour through your beautiful garden. Thank you for sharing, it makes my day.
By: www.corneliaweber-photography.com on March 31, 2020
at 4:29 am
Thank you! I hope you stay well and that isolation is not too difficult for you.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 31, 2020
at 4:46 am
Thank you Debra for your kind reply, so far isolation here in California isn’t too difficult. Unless there are people who are acting careless.
By: www.corneliaweber-photography.com on April 1, 2020
at 4:42 am
Thank you for sharing genuine insights into how life is currently there for you. I was in California when the shopping marketsdescended into madness. I wished that I was in a remote jungle then haha
By: Josiah Rogers on April 1, 2020
at 2:01 am
Being in a remote place right now is a good thing. Stay safe!
By: Debra Kolkka on April 1, 2020
at 5:24 am
Hello Debra a fish person in lockdown on a mountain is almost perfect, but my sister Janine and I understand that surf beach yearning. We remember your beautiful garden, though we saw it in autunno and we wish you- and all and all the souls in lockdown in poor italia- we wish you well . Jenny R
By: Jenny Robinson on April 1, 2020
at 8:42 am
Thank you. This is a tough time for many people. I feel very privileged to be able to sit this out in a beautiful place. I am aware that many are not so lucky.
Stay well and stay at home.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 1, 2020
at 8:49 am
Beautiful pictures and lucky you!
We, in India are also under a lock-down. Hoping the entire world recovers from this pandemic soon!!
I have shared some posts related to the current situation..please check it out if possible 🙂
https://thelifestyleleader.wordpress.com/2020/03/29/what-lies-ahead/
https://thelifestyleleader.wordpress.com/
By: DollyJ on April 6, 2020
at 7:54 am
Our lockdown restrictions have lessened, which is great. My garden was a great place to be in lockdown. I do realise I was very lucky. I hope things get better for everyone soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 28, 2020
at 5:27 am
Debra, your garden has absolutely beautiful blossoms, and though its summer time here ….touring your garden inspires me to tend to my garden and wait patiently for spring time to see the results 🙂
By: rishuakacreamy on May 28, 2020
at 5:23 am
Summer will soon begin. It has been wonderful to watch my garden daily through spring. This is the first time I have been here constantly, we usually travel around Italy in spring. It has helped me to get to know my garden very well and I am now making plans to make some changes in autumn.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 28, 2020
at 5:31 am