Yesterday, on a bright and mild winter’s day we explored Casoli’s hinterland. Casoli is a delightful village situated in the upper reaches of the Lima valley. True, every village in the Val di Lima has its own special characteristics and it would be quite wrong to single any one out as the prettiest in the valley. However, for me Casoli (not to be confused with the Casoli above Camaiore) has some very special features including the remains of a castle, a prehistoric observatory, stupendous views and beautiful surroundings.

When I first arrived here Casoli, together with Lucchio and Gombereto held a medieval festa. Indeed, they cooperated in the publicity of each other’s events issuing one leaflet with all three names on it. Sadly all three of these festas are now no longer held.

The first part of our walk took us  through a magical chestnut forest bare of its leaves with ent-like trees that almost seemed to walk with us in the stillness.

The path took us to an ancient chapel with a revered fresco by an unknown artist.

Unfortunately, since the chapel is deconsecrated and not used for any local religious rites (formerly there used to be an annual procession to it) it now seems to be used just for storing building material and a ladder had been placed right against the fresco on my previous visit to this area. Luckily this time I was able to photograph the sweet Madonna and child  without any impediments.

Casoli’s lake, grandly called ‘Lago’, is really a large pond or ‘laghetto’. It fills a depression rather like a Welsh cwm and is clearly glacial in origin. It’s the only significant lake in our valley.

To see other lakes one has to go over the Apennines at Foce di Giovo where the Lago Santo is situated. Casoli Lake must surely have been much larger once. Approaching the ‘laghetto’ across the greenest of meadows one reaches an area of characteristic wetland plants. I especially like the bulrushes. At this time of year the lakelet is at its most visible as these photos taken by my wife show.

I’m glad that I’m at last able to undertake these walks after major surgery last month. The beauty of nature, even in its denuded winter state, strikes me, with even greater resonating power than before.