Water and Crocuses

Yesterday we went across the Serchio valley and up a side-valley to the village of Fabbriche di Vallico. Fabbriche is a real small town, with two shops, two bars, a hairdresser's and a post office - and an apparently  thriving population of all ages from babies upwards!  It also has an unspoiled "lavatoio" - an open-air wash-house where the women washed the clothes communaly in days not so long ago.  After a coffee and some food shopping, we headed up the narrow road to the tiny villages of Vallico Sotto and Vallico Sopra.

It was our intention to walk the mule-track up to the shepherd's settlement of San Luigi, and on up to the summit of Monte Gragno - a flat-topped craggy mountain visible from the house.

The highlight of the day, however, was the crocuses - clustered everywhere in drifts, glowing in the sun.  Marvellous!

Pania della Croce shoulders its way through the morning mist.  Monte Gragno is to the left.

The side-valley contains a small lake which is a  beautiful jade green

The gushing water in the lavatoio is frozen by the camera ...

Looking further up the river from Fabbriche Di Vallico to the medieval bridge

Barbara disappears up the mule track ...

Already, clusters of crocuses were appearing between the stones of the track

This one will be a cluster next year!