Back at the coast to meet up with good friends!

It's certainly warmer down here at the coast, but we feel like we're not really in Spain any more! At this time of year there are more British people here than Spanish people! And most of the signage at the local businesses is in English.

So yesterday we drove down from the hills to the coast. We weren't originally planning on coming down here yet, but there's a cold front coming through and even here at the coast it's going to be a chilly high of 10C (50F) and overcast.

Here's a few photos of the drive down...

Heading towards Malaga.

We will be happy to see something besides olive trees!

No more olive trees!

A few tunnels to go through.

Scenery along the way.

We can see the sea!

But, there's another reason we're happy to be here! We're meeting up with Glen and Steve, the couple who introduced us to the RV lifestyle ten years ago! We traveled Mexico with Glen and Steve. First the Baja in the winter of 2007-2008, and then again our first time in mainland Mexico the winter of 2008-2009.

This is the couple who essentially showed us how to live and travel inexpensively.

We had arranged to meet at a free camping aire in La Cala de Mijas. It's a busy spot because it's walking distance to the beach, and there are a lot of services and amenities close by. Even amongst all the different motorhomes we had no problem finding them. Hugs all around...it sure was nice to finally meet up again, and to be RV'ing at the same time again.

The last time we saw them was in England in the summer of 2012. Steve had been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, and the prognosis wasn't good. In fact, he was in hospital at the time, so it wasn't under the best of circumstances. He's had a bone marrow transplant, and is doing fine now despite a lifetime of medication in his future.

But, they've bounced back from that and have been traveling again. They did a lot of cruising in 2016 and I think they were in somewhere around 30 countries last year!

We went for a walk with them around town and checked out some of the shops.

Lots of motorhomes at the free camping aire in La Cala de Mijas.

GPS 36.505595, -4.682284

Two day maximum, must register at the police station.

The beach!

We stopped in for ice cream. In true frugal fashion, we went to a grocery store and bought a 6 pack box of ice cream bars for €2.09 ($3.00 CAD, $2.25 USD). 

Of course there were 2 left over, so as we left the store, I offered one of them to a guy begging for money at the store entrance. He smiled and said "gracias" and took one of the bars. 

As we walked away, Glen turned around and spotted him tossing the brand new packaged ice cream bar into the trash.

I couldn't believe it. I'm not one to give these beggars any money, but after that they will never get anything from me at all. Ever. 

Sitting out for happy hour with Glen and Steve.

Glen and Steve's daughter Claire and her fiance Richard are down visiting as well for a few days, but they leave this evening. So they were headed out for a last meal with them and invited us along. we went to a Chinese food place that had a "menu del dia" for €5.95 ($8.50 CAD, $5.50 USD). With a beer for me and a glass of wine for Ruth, the total bill including tax and tip was €16.00 ($23.00 CAD. $17.00 USD). Not a fantastic meal, but not bad either.

Today's project is to find a new battery for Louis.

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