It was a pleasure to bring with us the first family visitor
to see the house on this trip. Camilla, my oldest daughter (20 minutes in
different to her sister) joined us and could get the feeling of the house and
potential as well enjoy the local benefits of food, wine and see the nice
location of Tuscany.
8 March in Montecarlo
8 March in Montecarlo
She also joined us in our first meeting with the architect
that already had started on a list of modification to the proposed
calculations. Both Galileo Menechini from GLIARCHITETTIASSOCIATI
and we could see how we can reduce the cost without take away the house integrity
or at least not take away too much of it.
Sweets at Piazza Napoleone
Evening walk in Lucca
The next list and cost overview will not arrive until late
March or early April, and if we manage to agree then the work can start
May/June. So the family get together in the summer of 2016 can manage to
finalize the house and if we are really lucky we all can sleep there as we work
our way to the finish line.
A week in Lucca goes fast, special when you have some
additional things to do, like meetings with an architect, open new bank
accounts, organize that our local taxes are handled properly and if we have
some tax refunds for the future in renovating the house is taken care of in a
proper way.
At our trip to Lucca this time we also could have a look at
our friend Paolo Barbieri renovation project that will end up in a Lucca’s
newest B & B. Just outside of Port Elisa and 50 meters to the wall with
easy access to the city and all the surroundings. Just hope he gets ready for
the season, things take time. We will have a new look when we are back in July,
or maybe I have to have a check even before that.
On a sunny Sunday we
went to Viareggio, carnival was over. Every Saturday in February they have the
parade and are really fun. On this day we could enjoy the sun and we were not
alone. It was a day to enjoy the arrival of spring. It gave us a challenge to
find a place to have lunch. Like the place we wanted to eat, Casablanca
Restaurant, they just admitted they did not have capacity and waiting time was
30 minutes to an hour. But there is no lack of alternative so we ended up at a
smaller seafood restaurant and enjoyed good food as always.
Bees are not welcome but they are here
Train to Lucca
The train is passing our house once an hour, but just stop
at our “local” station every 3 hour. It gives us the possibility to take the
train to Lucca, Viareggio or Florence. From ground floor we do not see it and
the noise is limited from the train.
And we have a river close to the house so if the swimming pool is not up the first your there are alternative for the kids to play in the water...or maybe make electricity from it ??
