It’s been a few days. Rose and I spent Thursday getting our bearings in Lucca. We walked the wall (at least most of it until we hopped off to find some lunch). We sat in the glorious sunshine and had a most delicious pasta. We also did the mundane things. We found the supermarket, identified the shops we’d be needing to be able to cook up an Easter feast. We bought Rose a little jacket given that she hadn’t packed anything warm. We took it easy in the afternoon then went out and had a nice meal at Trattoria L’Olivio, then home to bed. Still very nippy in the evenings.
On Friday we went walking again after morning coffee. It is business as usual on Good Friday in Italy which feels a bit weird. So we did a bit more window shopping. Did a bit more wall walking before we found another nice place to sit in the sun for lunch. Then it was time to get on the bus for Pisa Airport and go and pick up Ham and Ariane. As we were about to get on the bus we got messages to say their plane was delayed. We got on the bus anyway and their plane was an hour and a half late. Not too much drama, just another excuse to have to go to a bar for wine/beer/coffee.
So exciting to see them..what more pleasure for a mumma!! We took ages to finalise the car hire mainly because I didn’t bring the right credit card. Anyway eventually we were on the road and in Lucca before long at all. Parked the car outside the walls and walked in to the apartment. Aperitifs and settling in time and then out for dinner to a fantastic restaurant called Buca di San Antonio. It was great…fabulous food and lovely atmosphere. So much to eat!!
Now we are up to yesterday. The weather angel finally decided it was time for a big piss and it rained and rained all day. Apart from running off to put money in the car meter and having coffee and doing LOADS of shopping for Easter Sunday/ Monday we did little in the morning. We then went and found a place for lunch. We happened upon a lovely place for the mandatory fresh, delicious pasta.
We then thought despite the awful rain that we’d go for a little drive in the surrounds of Lucca. And it was absolutely lovely. A lush, green valley with mineral springs, lovely little villages and a river with picturesque bridges. We got to a town called Barga and walked through it’s steep winding streets up to the Duomo on top of the hill. That was lovely. Then back to Lucca. What could have been a wet and miserable afternoon was really enjoyable. We got home late and could only spruce up to get ready to out to dinner to “Lucca’s best” restaurant Ristorante Giglio. And it was truly heavenly food. I’ve never had a gnocchi like it….just superb as was every single dish. Lovely wine and a desert to only dream about. A fitting start to the easter break.
Today we have stocked up for a ‘cook-up’ at home for Easter Sunday. It will be fun. I for one am in heaven surrounded by family. Just missing you A&K!!!