We planned a holiday in Tuscany in the spring of 2020. Covid closed down North Italy before anywhere in Europe. So this was a postponed trip.

Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca. His house forms part of the Lucca tourist trail.

I filmed this man, who could play the cello and sing, singing “Nessun Dorma”, an aria from Puccini’s opera Turandot.

It was a lively place with a hubbub outside our window on the Via Roma until midnight.

On Sunday morning, along with many local people, we walked around the ramparts of the old Roman town of Lucca. Some walked, some jogged, others cycled, some singly, a lot on hired four-person pedaloes. There were some great views.

But then, at one point, about 150 Vespa-style motorcycles came by, led by Vespa Club Lucca. They were joined by Vespas from other towns, with a lot of waving and beeping of horns.

We also visited Lucca Cathedral, where some famous artworks can be viewed. There were also visitors on bikes.

There are a lot of churches in Lucca. Abingdon used to have a lot of pubs. Lucca still has a lot of church buildings. This one, near the Catherdral, had an exhibition with trees and roots turned into art.

There is an oval-shaped area based on a Roman Amphitheatre in Lucca. People were eating and drinking all the way around. Lucca does seem to be a fascinating historical and cultural place. We only had a day and a half in Lucca. In hindsight, more time in Lucca and less in Florence.