A visitor and a visit

We awoke relatively early this morning and couldn't resist catching up on last night's episode of The Great British Bake Off. It was therefore mid morning when I was getting properly up and dressed. The bathroom window is covered by what I can best describe as a louvred vent and has bobbled glass so it's impossible to see out of. However, it's the only window that faces the driveway and parking area and I thought I heard a car. I called out to Dan to ask if he'd heard anything but he hadn't. I then thought I heard someone say 'hello' but Dan said it was the radio. It wasn't until we both heard a car horn that Dan went out to investigate, swiftly returning to say that the Police had arrived.

If you are a regular reader, you may not be too alarmed to hear of our visitor since Helen and Stuart have been expecting such a call as part of their application for residency. We had therefore been left with a letter to hand over should this occasion arise. As soon as the officer realised we spoke no Italian we communicated briefly via smiles (us) and nods (him). He seemed happy with the letter we handed over and was soon on his way. Hopefully this means Helen and Stuart are one step closer to full residency!

After our visitor had left we decided to make a visit of our own - to Bagni di Lucca. This spa town to the north west of here hit its heyday in the 19th century. Not only did people flock here to take the thermal waters but it was also the site of the first licenced casino in Europe. It would seem that the town was so popular with the British that they built an Anglican church and some of the local walks are named after the more notable residents.

The Anglican Church

Sadly, the much-recommended local restaurant was closed so we settled for a coffee and pastry in the cafe opposite alongside the local seniors who were engrossed in various games of cards.

The closed restaurant

Next stop was a feat of medieval engineering, the Ponte di Maddalena, also known as the Devil's Bridge. Apparently, the engineer was behind schedule and was getting pretty stressed-out by the project when he was visited by the devil who offered to make a pact. The devil promised to finish the bridge overnight in return for the soul of the first person to cross. The devil lifted the main span with his pitchfork and the bridge was complete. However, the next day the engineer confessed all to the local priest and the villagers sent a pig (or a dog, depending on which version of the story you read) over the bridge first.

It's a very striking bridge with a steep crossing and a handy parking spot so we stopped to take a look from both sides (although I made sure Dan reached the other side a few steps ahead if me, just in case!)

Since we'd missed lunch we decided to head home and pick up something to eat on route. With Dan at the wheel and me armed with our trusty road atlas Dan requested the 'most exciting route' so I picked out a tiny white road over the hill and down the valley which seems to run parallel to the one in which Helen and Stuart live. I'll admit to a bit of a false start but we were soon climbing up and through a wonderful wooded valley. The trees are beginning to hint at changing to their autumn colours and I imagine in a few weeks' time they will look simply stunning!

We were back at the house in time for a quick drink on the terrace before the sun dipped behind the hill opposite - perfect!