Barretina Closes

 The oldest bodega in Lloret de Mar has sadly closed. Many of  Fiona's (above left) customers and friends joined her to have a last drink in the bar last night. She has been in the bar for 14 years, and she is now handing back the keys to the owners who are now looking for someone else to run the bodega. 

Fiona will be there this morning just to open up for a few hours to let her old Catalan customers just have one last game of cards!

We all wish Fiona   good luck for the future in whatever she chooses to do next. 

Lloret's Diorames

 On show until the 12th January in Lloret is a nice little collection of Diorames, these are miniature scale models of nativity scenes. They can be seen in the small chapel next to 'Gerry's Bar' so if you are taking a walk around Lloret they are well worth a viewing as so much detail and work has gone into each one. 

Xmas Market in Magnolia Square!

 A small  Xmas market has been held in Magnolia Square this week (near to Gerry's bar) in Lloret, items on sale were toys for the children, hand knitted goodsand homemade cupcakes. It seems that they are trying to breathe some life into this part of town as the square has been given a new facelift this year with new raised plant beds, a great childrens play area and nice wooden benches. Some locals were afraid that the famous Magnolia tree would be cut down to make way for the new playground but I'm glad to say it has survived! 

Merry Christmas from Lloret

I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

to all readers of Lloret de Mar Stuff. The blog will be 7 years old on 31st December 2005, since then there have been a total 698 different postings about Lloret de Mar covering just about every event and happening you could think of with lots more to come next year!

Thanks to everyone for their support and comments during that time...Jackie x

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A great restaurant in Lloret de Mar!

We have found another fantastic place to eat in Lloret de Mar, this restaurant is the Al Freskito and one of those places you must try! Locals in town will remember this restaurant as the 'Chang Chen' so don't be deceived by the Chinese style entrance, as the new owner have given it a beautiful refit inside and is now one of the best looking places in town - which is building up a very good name for itself. At this time of year when the town is very quiet the restaurant was quite busy so I think word is getting round about how good this place is!
We went along with friends for the restaurants 'menu del dia' only yesterday and I'm pleased to say there wasn't a chip in sight! At only €9 per head we not only had the usual 3 courses with wine and bread but also were offered an entrant of either a small salad or a consomme. Each of the courses were extremely well presented and there were some unusual items on the menu - I can recommend the slices of beef cooked with cava and melon balls accompanied by asparagus!!

Looking back to 2012

As another year is nearly over I'd just like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and all the very best for 2013. Here we have a quick reminder of  2012 in  Lloret de Mar (plus a few shots of Barcelona)!

Lloret in Winter!

 Sunday December 16th and we've had another beautiful day in Lloret de Mar, both yesterday and today the temperature has reached 19ºc - easily warm enough for families to go to the beach for a picnic or get a pre Christmas tan! The good weather also encouraged the Spanish pensioners here for their winter holidays to take a walk along the seafront and also buy a few things from the stalls which were around the church raising money for the local  Xino Xano walking club.

Locally produced wine, normal size bottles or if thats not enough try an EXTRA large one!

Taking the sun on the seafront and outside the cafes

Lloret de Mar - Today's Views

 Early morning sunrise in Lloret sometimes gives us stunning views such as these we saw this morning looking out towards the hills either side of the beach in Fenals.

Later in the day at lunch time the 2 shots below were taken from the seafront in Fenals...its much too cold and windy to venture any further today!

Lloret de Mar Restaurants

 I am often asked if I can recommend a good restaurant in Lloret de Mar, I can honestly say that there are many good restaurants in and around Lloret. 

Can Sabata

Most of the restaurants in Lloret are family run and have been in business for many years, some going back 50 years or more! So they do have a reputation to live up to and always offer good food, good value for money and very good service. Just one example I can tell you about is the Can Sabata which we visited with friends last week for their 'menu del dia' the current cost is only €9.90. There is a huge choice of meals for each of the 3 courses, whether you prefer fish, pasta or meat then its all there on the daily menu! Through the winter the restaurant is very warm and welcoming with several different dining areas, during the summer months then you can also eat out in their large outdoor terrace.

See more restaurant recommendations HERE

Lloret de Mar at Christmas

Lloret at Christmas here we have a few shots from around town - the Town Hall always looks nice at this time of year!

Hot chestnuts on sale by the church.

Mobys/Tropics looking good as always!

There are some lights here somewhere!

Ex Pats to lose TV channels!

There's been a lot of talk during the last few days about losing some of the British TV channels such as channel 5, 5* and 5 USA, thanks to a friend with an Irish bar in Blanes he has given us some info which isnt good news for the Ex Pats here in Spain. It seems that the channels are moving to another satellite with a smaller 'footprint' which will only cover the UK -  meaning that we would need a dish of 2.5 mts or so to receive these channels. 

Is there anyone out there with any more info about this? 

Just for the time being to keep watching the channels we have lost you can access channel 5 and lots more other channels by going to Filmon.com Watch on your TV or download the app to watch on ipad and other tablets.

Lloret Sky Tonight

Great views of the sky in Lloret tonight at 17.20 4th Dec

Trobada Motera - Lloret de Mar

Just a few more scenes from Sundays 'Trobada Motera' - the annual bikers event held in Pere Torrent and Av Just Marles area in Lloret.

I take it this bike goes like a bullet!!

Just one of the many customised Mustangs on show.

Bikes for as far as the eye can see!