The torrential rain over the past few days in this area has left its mark on some house in Barga Vecchia - a “high tide mark” on the walls left by the receding flood water that had silently infiltrated during the night. A blockage in a section of the centuries old drainage system under the stone roads in Vic. del Comune left three houses with their ground floor flooded as rainwater came up through the floors and walls.
The most badly affected was the home of the Adami family who had their living room flooded for the second time this year. Continue reading ‘Flooded homes in Barga Vecchia’
New CD release from Michael Stimpson
One of Britain’s fastest rising composers, Michael Stimpson who has been a resident in Barga Vecchia for some time now (article here) has just released a new CD containing some of his recent work. The CD entitled “Journeymen” is recorded by the Allegri String Quartet and is based on two distinct and separate moments and places in time. Continue reading ‘New CD release from Michael Stimpson’
Roast Chestnuts and Necci time of year again
The AS Barga sports group were out in force at the Fosso - the area just outside the main gates of the city, preparing roast chestnuts and necci for the many visitors to Barga this weekend. Necci - the simplest of ingredients …. sweet chestnut flour, water and salt mixed into a thick paste and cooked between two hot plates over a flame. Continue reading ‘Roast Chestnuts and Necci time of year again’
Bellany - ‘thank goodness I am still alive because I have so many more paintings to paint’
After surviving several near-death scares and channelling them into his art, John Bellany continues to find colour in his life and work By Barry Didcock- Sunday Herald
SIX WEEKS AGO, JOHN BELLANY travelled to Tain for an exhibition of his paintings. He never made it to the private view. Continue reading ‘Bellany - ‘thank goodness I am still alive because I have so many more paintings to paint’’
No smoking - the penny finally drops
Italy has been a very different place since the 10th of January 2005. On that day the law was passed banning smoking inside bars and restaurants. (article here) Most commentators at the time expressed disbelief that the law would hold and that smokers would change their habits of a lifetime. Continue reading ‘No smoking - the penny finally drops’
ancient cart wheels
abandoned
on their sides
on the valley floor
their spokes splintered
engaged
covered in moss
and vines
and stones
the ground is obscured
by morning mist
in the distance
an upturned skull
is dormant
against the sky
as though a step through the fog
to the far bank
is to leave the past behind
help keep barganews online
