Last month was probably the lowest attendance for the monthly market here in Barga since the start of the market more than 15 years ago.
There were only three main stalls outside the main gate, nothing inside the walls of Barga Vecchia and only a few people wandering round.
It was a dismal affair and it then looked as though the monthly markets had come to a grinding halt.
The main blame could be put fairly and squarely on the terrible weather with biting northerly winds and sub zero temperatures keeping people inside in the warm.
Today it was a different Barga, bright sunshine, a perfect spring day and the crowds poured into the city once again.
There were stalls right through the old town and an upsurge in what is now being called “vintage” – what used to known as second hand clothes.
Not everybody has a record player in their home these days but that did not stop some brisk sales on a stall selling LPs from the 80’s.
All eyes are now on the next market which will be during Easter