It is a friend’s wedding anniversary on Monday (one year), so last night we went out to help them celebrate along with his parents.

They came round to the apartment for a couple of drinks first and then we headed down to the marina to what is in fact becoming a favourite restaurant of ours ……. Café Noray.

The latest news regards Loch Ness is that Billy & Doreen are NOT selling the bar, but they are appointing Mario as the bar manager and will be spending more time in the UK themselves. Mario has done a great job building up the business with them, and they want to spend more time in the UK, coming back to Almerimar every month or so.

Los Marias is the name of the new bar where La Bahia used to be in Dársena 1. It should be open in 2 or 3 weeks according to Nick the guy that owns the bar with his wife. Another English bar, they are getting an American Pool Table so that they can enter a team into the local league (Nick is a former West Yorkshire finalist), and are looking for a darts league as well. As I understand it they will be serving a mix of English and Spanish food between 10am and 4pm, and then only Tapas in the afternoons and evenings. As soon as the opening dates are known I will let you know as Nick has asked that we go along and cover the event which will include a Spanish band, free buffet and 2 for the price of one drinks all evening.

Coco Beach have become the latest business to take advantage of out FREE advertising on the site. We only advertise businesses that we deal with, use or frequent on a regular basis, and that we know we can work with. As such any advertiser on the site you know comes recommended by us.

Heard a couple of rumours on the grape vine recently regarding a number of Bars here in Almerimar;

1. The original Rogers (the La Bahia Mark I) in Dársena 1 is meant to be opening again soon
2. Loch Ness is allegedly up for sale
3. Kenny’s is being refurbished to be a English bar opening at English times and offering English bar food. They are renovating the inside to add a kitchen

Just what we need then (not) ……………..

Two of our favourite and most frequented bars and restaurants in Almerimar, La Plaza and Al-rruz have joined together to work with Almerimar Life to add a further Taste Of Spain for residents and visitors to Almerimar.

As of Sunday (27th July) La Plaza will be offering paella provided by Al-rruz as a Extra Tapas from 2pm. What a great way to try paella if you have never tasted it before.

Today it is a year since La Plaza opened, and I’d like to say congratulations to Lee and Heather for creating such a great little restaurant bar.

Situated in the busy square in Almerimar, La Plaza is one of my favourite places for a drink and interesting tapas, coffee and scrummy home-made cakes, a girlie salad lunch, breakfast or a relaxed supper. It always has a friendly atmosphere, and being small and cosy more often than not we find we bump into someone, whether it’s English friends, people on holiday who are Almerimar life readers, or last week a big tables of Spaniards we know.

Ended up meeting Chris for an early evening drink at the D-bar the other day. This has always been a little more of a locals’ bar as it is out of the marina almost at the base of the cliff face. I have to admit that until recently Chris and I haven’t used it that much even thought it is only 5 mins walk from our appartment, as we like to go down to the marina itself. However it is looking great after a refurb earlier in the year, and we have both said we may use it more. It used to be very English but recently a more mixed clientele has developed with lots of Spaniards using it too. The barmaid Brigitte was really friendly, the red wine excellent, and the tapas good and big. All good reasons to give it a try if you haven’t already. AND I have been told they do a fantastic full English!

Bit of a mixed morning this morning in the marina ……. Good = popped into see Roberto to sort out (another) pair of football boots. This is rapidly becoming an expensive event, but I am really enjoying the whole process - something remarkably exciting about selecting kit, boots etc. Yep it is a man thing, trust me!!!! Good = met up with Sands after her run along the beach and bumped into a friend and had some breakfast at Harbour Lights. Is one of the great things about Almerimar Life - you are nearly always bound to meet someone when you are out and about, and the impromptu chat is always the best in my opinion. Bad = the price at Harbour lights is really expensive!!! Sands had a tostada for 2€ which is about 1€ normally, and it wasn’t even as good as the Spanish ones never mind better. I had a bacon baguette for 5€ which was really expensive compared to 3.75 at La Plaza or 3.50€ at La Bahia. Sure you got a bit of salad with it but it really wasn’t worth it. Funnily enough a full english breakfast was only 5.50€ and a coffee and tostada 2€ between the hours of 9 am and 11 am so maybe they are better value. Not sure I will ever find out as I am very rarely over that side of the Marina and certainly wouldn’t make the effort to go there specially to pay more for my breakfast!!!!

About Almerimar

Almerimar is located in the region of Andalucia, Spain. The nearest airport is 30km away in Almeria. Other airports that are within 3 hours include Malaga, Murcia, Granada, and Alicanti. Other holiday resorts in the region include Mojacar , Aguadulce and Roquetas de Mar Almerimar is a great place to live as an expat amongst the expats, or to work amongst the Spanish. There are all kinds of properties including villas, apartments and town houses for rent or sale. It is a very traditional part of Spain, with traditional Spanish foods so if you plan to travel to Spain either to look for jobs, for your company to trade with companies in Spain, or to learn Spanish and enjoy the Spanish weather then come and take a look. If you are interested in purchasing a property in Almerimar please visit our sponsors Mirror of the Sun or Mediterraspain. If you have purchased a property and need it furnished please check out our Sponsors DBJ who will give you a Exclusive 5% discount with the code AL2008. If you want to learn Spanish, get help with anything to do with the legal issues in Spain, or want WiFi access in the marina please check out our sponsor CentrePoint who will give you a 10% discount off all services with the code AL2008. If you want an amazing activity based day out in the mountains and to learn how to ride a motorcycle off road then check out our sponsor The Long Way Round and get 5% off with the code AL2008. Almerimar is also one of the largest marinas in Spain with over 2,000 births and excellent boatyard facilities.