Hotel Gran Garbi Fire

 There's been a fire at the Gran Garbi hotel today (Sat 8th March) smoke was seen coming from the hotel and first reports say that it started in the dining room on the first floor. Six people were treated for smoke inhalation, five of which were taken to Blanes hospital. At this time of year the hotel would have been almost full with mostly Spanish and French pensioners. All the guests and hotel staff were evacuated and gathered outside on the street.

Another bar to close

Latest news here in Lloret de Mar is that the Sportsman Pub another British bar will not open for business this year. Right in the middle of all the nightlife is the very popular Sportsman showing all the live sports on TV, so why is it that this bar has to close? Probably because of all the rules, regulations and fines imposed on these small businesses! How long will it take for the authority's to realise that once they have caused all these bars to close and the the Brits are no longer coming to Lloret de Mar the town will just die a very sad death!

Lloret's Rough Sea

 After yesterdays photos showing the rough sea on Fenals beach I wouldn't have thought that today would have been much different, but I was wrong, again we have had rain but this time Lloret beach and sea front have taken a pounding far far worse than Fenals! We were down there to get these pictures today, but were only allowed so far along the beach front as the police were stopping access towards the castle end of the beach. The noise from the sea crashing up against the wall sounded like thunder and at times was quite frightening! The bar at Cala Banys only opened yesterday for the start of the season but theres no way anyone could sit on their terrace today.

Lloret Weather in March

The recent spell of good weather has abruptly come to an end! In Fenals today the beach has been taped off by the police to stop anyone getting too close to the sea...which is very unpredictable on days like these!

 

 

 

 

Lloret de Mar Restaurant - La Campana

Locals and regular visitors to Lloret de Mar all know where to go for the best chicken in town....this is La Campana or Pedro's as its quite often referred to. You wont find a menu here as the only thing to choose from is either quarter, half or if you think you can manage it - a full chicken! To start off your meal you can order one of their tasty colouful salads and bread which will come drizzled with olive oil and rubbed with tomatoes - a Catalan speciality! 

The recipe for La Campana's spit roasted chicken gives it a unique taste which many other restaurants have tried in vain to copy !! 

Old Spanish style decor of La Campana.

Kate's birthday in Rabbies Bar!

It was a busy night in Rabbies last night as we were all there to wish Kate a happy birthday! Thanks to Linda for laying on the food and Gwen who made a massive chocolate and strawberry cake!

Lloret de Mar Weather

Today in Lloret the weather is very cold, wet and windy and its predicted to be the same for the next few days...so dont be caught out like this lady I saw out shopping earlier today!

Tourist Tax in Catalonia 2013

If your booking a holiday to Lloret de Mar this year then don't forget about the new tax which is to be paid by all visitors at your holiday accommodation I have posted about this back in November last year when the payment was imposed. Read more details here of how much you can expect to pay... > TOURIST TAX <

Cats Festival in Lloret

 It does seem that this Cats Festival day had a very Russian feel, those who weren't dressed to resemble cats were dressed in traditional costumes from the different regions of Russia...and at one point on stage there was an exchanging of gifts with town hall officials all spoken in Russian and translated into Catalan!

 Anna - Maria singing duo above, they are the winners of the Ukraine version of X Factor and are doing live shows while in Lloret

Festival Gat de La Lunna 2013

 Its another beautiful day in Lloret de Mar, ideal weather for the Cats Festival I posted about on Friday, and just as I thought there were some colourful sights as you can see from the shots below. It was another opportunity to see the Lloret de Mar giants 'Es Nais' & 'Miss Ling' dancing around... along with two giant cats! Groups of beautifully dressed children were up on the stage entertaining the spectators with their carefully rehearsed singing and dancing acts which they all must have been working so hard to learn during the past weeks.
*** More photos from the Cats Festival tomorrow ***

Festival of Cats in Lloret

Nothing to do with the real cats which you may see living on the streets in and around Lloret de Mar!
This weekend is something I've not heard of before and that is the Festival of Cats which seems to be centred around the Cat Museum C/ Sant Albert and Casa de Russia Passeig Verdaguer 11 Lloret de Mar.....Sunday 24th Feb - 2nd March there is to be an exhibition of art at Casa de Russia also on Sunday at 11am there will be a parade around the streets of Lloret.
After seeing the posters and online pieces about the event I'm thinking that this will be a fancy dress parade with people dressed as cats! If so then there should be some colourful and interesting sights to say the least!

Live music @ Carmen's Cafe

Carmen's Cafe have live music tonight Fri 22nd Feb from singing duo Anna - Maria the winners of the Ukraine's X Factor show!

BOTIGA AL CARRER Lloret

PLEASE NOTE....Owing to the bad weather and freezing temperatures expected for the coming weekend the street sale has been postponed until Saturday 9th March .....
SNOW IS ON THE WAY!!

At present many of the stores have amazing offers with as much as 70% off ... best get stocked up on winter woolies and boots!

Happy Birthday to Kenny

Happy Birthday to Kenny and I would like to say thank you on behalf of all his friends who he invited out for a meal in Fenals today ... we all had a fantastic meal in the Arcs Restaurant where the service and food is first class....a great time with great company!

A Quiet winter Evening in Lloret

 Just a few shots taken at various locations about town showing how quiet it is at this time of year...very different to the busy summer scenes usually shown on the blog! But Easter isn't too far away now when we will see Lloret de Mar come to life again when all the bars and clubs will begin to reopen for the 2013 summer season.

Canaletas, a nice place to sit on a hot summer evening...but maybe not on a cooler winter night!

Two lonely dancers down by the beach!

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