December 2008 Archives

Walking along a fairly deserted promenade in Palamos today after some of the worst storms in recent memory over Christmas. Some coastal towns on the south of the Costa Brava like Blanes, Lloret de Mar and Tossa de Mar suffered severe damage to their beaches, promenades and even flooding to buildings along the beach from the 6metre high waves and 90km winds. Other places like Cadaques were cut off because of snow which in itself only happens rarely in these days of global warming. Here in Palamos they had a scare as one of the large ferry boats broke its moorings and floated out to sea before being rescued and towed to port again.
Still, we are on the Mediterranean and after a few dramatic days everything will return to sunny, calm and quiet winter days very soon!

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Posted via email from gironaJ

The French, as always, have their own way of eating at Christmas. None of these heavy meat based cooked meals with stuffing, gravy and vegetables followed by the "coup de grace" of large helpings of cakes and chocolates for them. No, they have a much better idea, they eat oysters and other seafoods. Keeping it light and healthy and other than a few glasses of white wine, feel fit enough to take a siesta with their partner followed by a coffee instead of passing out in front of the TV.
Only an hours drive from Girona on the motorway you can reach Leucate on the coast, just north of Perpignan. Here you can drive along a spit of land between the Mediterranean and the lagoon where some of the best oysters and mussels are reared in clean unpolluted waters and in harmony with the surrounding protected salt marshes famous for migrating flamingoes and other birds.
In a cut between the lagoon and the sea a cluster of fisherman's shacks line each side of the water and you can buy direct from the fishermen or consume on the premises. This is not a pretentious place and people pour in to sit at plastic tables outside next to the street for two simple reasons-the freshness of the product and the price. The oysters we had were so fresh that they actually squirmed when we squeezed lemon on them. If you happen to be lucky enough for a sunny, windless day then this has to be one of the best ways of spending 24th december, and when you see the bill you can take a few kilos home for friends. Vive la France!

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Posted via email from gironaJ

Shopping is always fun but in Girona it is both easy and convenient since everywhere is accessible on foot and the choice is pretty good for a town of 100,000 people. The main shopping streets are the Rambla and Ballesterias on the Old Town side of the river, and Carrer Nou and Santa Clara on the other side of the Pont de Pedra bridge. In the new town the main streets are Juan Maragall and Pau Claret where larger shops like Zara and Massimo Dutti are based. The trendy designer boutiques are on Santa Clara, the youth are attracted to the variety along Ballesteries and behind the Rambla you can find plenty of interesting places for every wallet and taste. Merry Christmas!

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Posted via email from gironaJ

The Rambla, or Rambla de la Libertat to be more precise, is the commercial and social centre of Girona from where all activities tend to start or finish. Walking from the Plaça de Catalunya past the Pont de Pedra bridge to the main Tourist Information Office along a wide pedestrianised avenue, this is the Rambla. Whether shopping for the latest in fashion or just wanting a coffee and watching people go about their business, it is the best place to get a feel for life in Girona. There are plenty of bars and restaurants along here with terraces full of tables spread outdoors all year round for both locals and visitors to enjoy. The "paseo" tends to be a bit more purposeful than in other parts of Spain but is equally important on weekend afternoons for families meeting at their favourite cafe to catch up on the weeks gossip or read the paper. Only a few paces from the Adjuntament (Town Hall) everyone passes along the Rambla at some stage.

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Posted via email from gironaJ