We spent the last couple of days in Monforte doing lunch and visiting the village of Bossolasco, known as the village of roses. The roses were in full bloom, every colour imaginable, it was very pretty.

We had our last pizza and last coffee at Grapollo.

Elena invited us out to lunch to a restaurant with a great view over the vineyards of the Langhe. The food was rather good too. We had an asparagus and egg entree, followed by a pasta main, and pannacotta and apricot torte for dessert.

It was a farewell lunch with Elena and Pippo. It was fabulous to be back in Monforte, not sure if we will return.

We left Monforte and had a 5 hour drive to Lucca in Tuscany for our 4 night stay. Our little house is outside the walled historic centre so a tad too far for Greg’s knees to walk into however it is a very short drive for Harley and parking is very cheap, so all good. We have a small outdoor area in the back, good for arvo drinks and Greg’s morning exercises!

We have spent a few days wandering around the Old Walled historic centre. The walls are 4.2km in length and construction began in 1504 and finished in the early 1800’s, and still intact today. One of the main gates to the town is Porta San Pietro built between 1565 and 1566. Through these gates on Sept 5th 1944 the first Allied soldiers entered Lucca and the town greeted them with much celebration.

The Basilica Di San Frediano is a spectacular ornate Romanesque church with a golden mosaic facade. Chiesa Di San Michele Foro is an 11th century Church with a golden”wedding like cake” carved facade.

Given the amount of walking, Greg’s knees require lubricating / medicating every hour or so.

Luca’s Theatre is one of the oldest public theatres in Italy built in the mid 17th century. Piazza Napoleone was dedicated to Napoleone by his sister who led Lucca between 1805 and 1815. She demolished houses around the piazza to build the Palazzo Ducale which is now the Provincial Offices.

In its heyday during. Edie Al times there were over 130 Towers in the walled city. A tower height reflected the prestige and importance of the family who built them. Today only 2 remain. The Torre Delle Ore has a medieval clock on its facade and is the highest tower with 207 steps built in the 13th century. The Guinigui Tower with a garden on its roof top has was built in the 2nd half of the 14th century. As you can imagine we decided not to climb either.

We did a little drive to check out the village of Pistoia. Its main attraction is the Piazza del Duomo with its magnificent buildings. The Cathedral San Zino completely renovated at the start of the 12th century and again in the early 1800’s. The Baptistery of San Giovanni was built in the middle of the 14th century. It’s facade of green and white marble is considered to be one of the finest examples of Tuscan Gothic art.

Palazzo Azzolini, now a bank, is a new comer to the Piazza built at the end of the 19th century but still quite impressive. Palazzo del Communale , now the Town Hall dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries and has the Medici Coat of Arms on the facade.

Back in Lucca , we found a lovely piazza where we had lunched in previous years. The Piazza dell’Anifiteatro is an oval plaza on the site of a Roman Amphitheater, surrounded by lovely medieval houses and plenty of restaurants as well.

Near to our house we can see part of the Aquaduct Nottloini, which we must say is spectacularly floodlit at night. It was built in the 19th century to provide Lucca with water from the mountains. There are 400 arches stretching over 3 kms. The small Condotto Pubblico is a waterway running through the historical old town.

We have wandered the streets and narrow alley ways of Lucca, much to the chagrin of Greg’s knees, and not only stopped for alcohol but have had many great coffees as well.

Just an update for Dean from Greg, trying to exercise every day, the knees are holding up a little better than anticipated…at this stage….with lubrication we have walked 5 or 6 kms per day with a days rest in between.🤞🤞

In addition to Greg’s problem knees, he has had an outbreak of shingles, it never rains but it pours! Dealing with Italian doctors has been interesting. Luckily Rhonda has not had to drive…yet!

We have loved our time in Lucca and tomorrow we catch the ferry to spend a week on Corsica. Sorry all you Melbournites, we know how cold it has been, but here we are having 18 overnight and 30 during the day. You should all pack your bags and come over.

so ciao ciao, it’s that time again, Campari and soda and aperol spritz coming right up.

Ciao ciao

Greg and Rhonda