Lloret de Mar Events

This week-end has been medieval time again in Lloret de Mar. The main shopping streets are filled with all kinds of stalls. The floor is scattered with straw to give the town a medieval look, and thousands of people are trying to fight their way around!
The old bike in the photo above drew lots of attention.

This event always takes place over 2 days at this time of year, and is very popular with the tourist's and locals. Many people arrive by the excursion coaches from other places along the coast.

The Best Hotel in Spain.

The award for the best hotel in Spain has believe it or not gone to the Hotel Anabel here in Lloret de Mar! (Visit their website)
Thomas Cook in conjunction with Neckermann have given the award to the Anabel based on surveys filled in by their clients, the majority of which come from Britain, Germany, Holland and Belgium.

The Anabel is a hotel which caters for families and couples ... they do not take bookings from
the groups of students and sports teams which we seem to see too much of in Lloret these days.
The owners claim that because of this the hotel is not always as full as they would like, but they prefer to give full commitment to family tourism and believe this is the correct route to follow in order to benefit both the hotel and its customers.
The Anabel first opened in 1970 and will celebrate its 40th anniversary next May 2010.

Lets hope that other hotels in town who take in all the rowdy groups take note of this, after all what is best for everyone, to be the known as the best hotel in Spain or the worst? As I'm sure that's the way some of the others are going!

Free Tour of Girona !

Girona can now be viewed with Google street view. For new users of this application this means you can go to Google maps and take a virtual tour by using your mouse to guide you in whatever direction has been covered by the cameras.
Once in Google Maps, type in 'Girona Spain' and zoom into the streets, then with your mouse drag the little orange man (see him in the top left of the map) onto your selected street and the map then turns into photo clear images of the street. You then click on the arrows to take your tour!
At the moment its not possible to see the old quarter as the streets are too narrow for the cars which carry the cameras. These will be done at a later date, usually done by cameras mounted on bikes.

Street view started in the U.S in May 2007, then last year the Spanish cities of Madrid, Seville and Barcelona were added.

Lloret de Mar Weather

Now that the clocks have gone back one hour and we are seeing the nights drawing in the weather does seem to be much cooler, especially when the sun goes down. Snow has been falling in Andorra (good news for the skiers!) and we have had some heavy spells of rain in Lloret but not too prolonged.
These photos were taken last Thursday evening, after a fine clear sunny day the clouds started to roll in then we had a thunderstorm, but the next morning we were back to normal with the sun!

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Costa Brava Rally

It looks as though its going to be a fine week - end for the Costa Brava rally. There are a few clouds about this morning and it does feel quite cool in the shade, but I think this will be ideal driving conditions out on the Cost Brava roads.
Here's a few photos of the cars which were preparing for the start near the Olympic Hotel this morning.

Spanish Mobile Phone Switch-Off

All Spanish 'pay as you go' mobile phones which have not been registered by Sunday will be permanently disconnected. The deadline is set at midnight on Sunday, after which the phone number and any unused credit will be lost forever.

The full story along with the reason behind this can be read on the Typically Spanish site.

Costa Brava Rally

Its time for the Costa Brava Rally again !
This will be the 57th rally and its taking place in Lloret during this week-end 6th & 7th November. Three championships are up for grabs, these are the National, Catalan and European.
The base for the rally drivers and cars is near the Olympic Park Hotel and the podium is, as usual on the sea front near the Town Hall.

Lloret de Mar Weather

Clear sky or cloudy on the whole, except in the Pyrenees, especially the north side, where the sky will remain very cloudy until noon and between medium and very cloudy during the afternoon. Temperatures will be 20º and a slightly cooler 18º tomorrow.

Tomorrow during the morning, clouds will increase and the sky will be quite overcast. This forecast is taken from El Punt

Sangria Recipe.

Many variations of sangria have been made and even the most basic recipe is never the same, all bars and restraunts have their own version. Some versions of the drink even being served warm, which would be very similar to the hot mulled punch served at Christmas time in many homes.
Experts agree that Sangria is best when left to infuse for a few hours in the fridge, preferably overnight if possible. Many bars and restraunts tend to use their cheap house wine, but a better quality drink will result from using the best ingredients.
The fruit also plays a large part in the flavour, and if making your own its best to experiment with various fruits. For an unusual twist try using cranberrys, melon, peach, pear or grapefruit and mango. Here is a good fruity recipe for your party, but you can swap the red wine for a white wine (even try sparkling wine) and change the fruits according to your taste.

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups (26 fl. oz) dry red wine

• 1/3 cup (3 oz) sugar

• 1/3 cup brandy

• 1/3 cup Cointreau

• 1/3 lemon-flavored vodka

• 1 small lemon, sliced crosswise

• 1 small orange, sliced crosswise

• 1 small lime, sliced crosswise

• 1 medium pear, diced

• 2 medium peach, peeled, pitted and sliced

• 2 cups (8 oz) sliced strawberries

• 1 bottle carbonated lemon-lime soda

Preparation

In a sangria pitcher, combine all ingredients except the strawberries and soda.

Chill in the refrigerator overnight. Immediately before serving, stir the strawberries and lemon-lime soda. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

More art from Lloret de Mar

Going back to October 5th I published some photo's from the painting competition held here in Lloret. All very good as I'm sure you'll agree!









As you wander around Lloret though, its a shame to see that just about every blank wall is covered in graffiti. Some is just messy scribble which spoils the look of the town. I often wonder what some holiday makers must think when they are walking round and come across this mess!







I must say though that some of the street artist's work is very good and quite colourful. The examples shown here are in the El Reiral district, its almost like taking a walk around an art gallery!










Even then this is just a few shots of the best. Much of this long stretch is still covered in the same mess as the rest of the town. Maybe its time for a massive clean-up?