Happy New Year

We spent New Year's weekend in Bagni di Lucca and enjoyed a relaxing stay. The roof has been repaired - three tiles were cracked when the TV satellite was installed and that was enough, with all the heavy rains in December, to cause the leak. As expected, there was no real damage, and we'll just need a lick of paint to the bedroom wall to remove the water stain.

After the deluge in December, fortunately it rained only one day. The temperature, however, was colder than normal, hovering around freezing and only rising to about 5 or 6 Celsius during the day. Despite the temperature, the area remains beautiful and charming even in winter, and quieter, with few tourists.

We took a drive to the nearby ski resort of Abetone, and while snow in Bagni di Lucca is rare, plenty had fallen and accumulated just a few miles up the mountain - several feet in fact! The resort was packed with skiers, so it must be a popular spot.

Much of the small amount of remaining work in the house has been completed, and only some landscaping and clean-up left to complete in the driveway and garage area. We're already planning our next visit and I'm especially looking forward to the warm spring and summer weather, which can't come soon enough!