Lloret de Mar Today

We didnt have to travel far to get these 2 shots of Lloret de Mar today...both photos were taken today from our balcony in Fenals! 

The first photo above is taken just as the sun was rising at 7.50am and the other early this evening as the sun set.

Fenals in a different light!

 Two more of our special effects photos of the beach at Fenals, these were taken using special filters attached to the camera lens....its such a change to get away from the usual shots of empty winter beaches!

Beaches of Lloret de Mar - Fenals

Something a little different today with our two eerie looking special effects views of the rocky coves of Fenals beach.

Lloret de Mar weather in January

Well, after yesterdays brilliant sunny day when we had temperatures that reached 16ºc, today we are now surrounded by a cold damp mist and rain is forecast for the rest of the day. It seems that everyone was out enjoying the good weather yesterday and as it will soon be carnival time it was a great opportunity for some of those taking part in the parade to practice their dance routines.

 All the people in the photos below had their own reasons for been out in Fenals enjoying the sun.

 This man was making handmade purse's and bracelets to sell.

 A stroll on the beach and those who felt more engergetic were using the exercise area.

 Dog walkers and cyclists in the woods.

Burn's Night in Rabbies Bar

It was a packed house for Burns night celebrations in Rabbies Bar last night...the bar in Fenals which is named after the Scottish poet himself. Thanks to Hammy, Linda and Colin for the typical 'Burns supper' of haggis, mince, tatties and neeps, it was a great evening enjoyed by all as you can tell!

Dinner ladies dishing up the food!

A belated celebration cake for Mikes 65th birthday

Rabbie's Golf Tournament.

Rabbies Bar golf tournament yesterday was for the first time played for the 'Colin Linkie' trophy. Colin's wife Angie was quite emotional as she awarded the trophy to winner Johnny Madrid from the Alcatraz bar in Calella.

In the photos here are some of the players who took part and also some of Angies closest friends who were there to support her on this extra special day.

Mick, Derek, Judith in the above picture and the 2 Antonio's below!

Andrew, Gill, Simon & Angie

Willy, Stan, Linda, Mike and Albie

Daz, Hammy & Kenny

Kate & Grace

 John, Fiona, Debbie above and below are some of Llorets longest residing UK ex-pats Tony, Sandra and Harry.

Lloret de Mar Restaurants

 One of my favourite restaurants in Lloret is the El Senglar which is just 2-3km outskirts of town in a countryside setting, in the restaurants grounds are a lovely collection of animals some of which you can see here, also seperate to the restaurant is a large BBQ which is ideal for the summer months. Their daily three course menu is still only €6, and it really is great value for money with generous sized portions of excellent food!

Lloret de Mar January weather

It doesn't seem possible that after the weekends bad weather and rough sea, yesterday was almost like a summers day. Outside the Planiol Restaurant in Fenals people were sat enjoying the very good temperatures while having a coffee and reading their papers...someone decided it was also great weather for a days fishing!

Ryanair, Girona - UK flights

Ryanair have announced new routes to Girona which will be of interest to those visiting Lloret de Mar or anywhere on the Costa Brava. Most are due to start in March and April, just in time for the Easter holidays.

Lloret de Mar - Local Bus

In Lloret de Mar we have a very handy local bus service - the yellow local single decker bus ( L2) which does an almost figure 8 shaped route around Lloret and Fenals passing on the way some of Llorets most interesting buildings and places. Starting at the far end of Llorets beach by the castle you will go along the seafront passing the Tourist information building which also houses the Maritime Museum, after which at the next stop is the Town Hall - a grand old building dating back to 1872. 

Leaving the seafront the bus then makes its way along Avenida Just Marles, the most popular nightlife scene of the Costa Brava, Londoner, Hotspot, Zoo, Moby's and  Tropics to name just a few! Reaching the end of this road the bus station is on the right, but the bus here takes a left to make its way to Fenals along the busy road in the direction of Blanes. Along this road is the H Top Royal Star Hotel, behind this hotel is the Modernist Cemetery. Further along are the Santa Elena and Toucan campsites, also in this area to the right is the Papalus Pitch & Putt golf. The bus here though makes a left turn into the residential area of Fenals where you will pass close to the entrance of Santa Clotilde Gardens which I recommend you visit at some point during your stay in Lloret de Mar. As the bus weaves its way though Fenals you will reach Avenida America - Fenals main shopping street with the very handy British food shop where you can buy most of your favourite groceries from back home. 

Opposite this is the H Top Royal Beach Hotel, from here the bus makes its way along Fenals seafront, the beach here is in a very nice setting surrounded by woodland, the bus then makes its way past villas and apartments in Fenals before heading back over the hill towards Lloret de Mar. As it climbs the steep hill leaving Fenals it passes Llorets fire station on the left and the Samba hotel on the right. Down the hill brings you to back to Lloret passing the Don Juan Hotel and lively Queen Vic night spot. Across the road you will once again pass the bus station and heard along the main road in the direction of Tossa de Mar. Just a little way past the bus station is Lloret FC ground on the left further along this road are the unusual shaped buildings of the new theatre and casino. Leaving this road to the right the bus heads down the hill towards the beach of Lloret....back to where you started! 
At present the buses run every 20 minutes and the fare is €1.30.

Fenals Beach - Storm damage.

After yesterdays pictures of the beach at Fenals (or should I say lack of it!) today I can show you a more recent picture taken this morning where you can clearly see how even more sand has disappeared  following last nights storm. The sea is now almost reaching the promenade wall by the woods.

Lloret Today - Fenals Beach

Just now we are having the coldest days of the year so far here on the coast in Lloret. The sea is very rough and has been crashing up to the beach and displacing the sand for a few days now. At the southern end is a sheer drop where the sea has taken a lot of the sand away, on doing so its uncovered rocks which after 10 years of living here I have never seen before!

January in Lloret de Mar

Today we have a brilliant sunny blue sky but there is a very cold strong wind blowing, it's even too cold for the dogs to venture out without their coats on this month!

Our special effects views of Fenals beach today!

What is Lloret like in Winter?

I often get asked what Lloret de Mar is like in the winter, many people get the wrong impression that we can laze on the beach and wear T shirts and sandals all year long that is just not the case, I wish we could. This short clip of Lloret beach from Christian gives a very good idea of what to expect if you do visit just now!

Lloret de Mar beach today.

 

Seagulls on todays deserted beach in Lloret de Mar.

Winter in Lloret de Mar

Winter in Lloret so far has been exceptional weather but I cant help feeling that bad weather is just around the corner, until then we are still able to get out and take some interesting shots around the town. Owing to the changing light and cloud formation during the early evening just about every photo taken has completely different look to the next.

Early evening sun on the castle 

At the opposite end of the beach the sun is just dropping down and gives these dramatic sky scenes.