Interior photographs I took two or three weeks ago inside el Zoco at Calahonda, a couple of areas where people don't usually go but I found myself there none the less..

Below just a view of the woodes area near where I used to work and overlooking where we are now staying..

This below I took a I approached the boardwalk at the Chiringuito el Capricho, in the old days so much smaller.. I know things change, improve? Grow, evolve.. I do know this... But I kinda miss how everything was.. Selfish of me? I guess so..

Just a tree, at Mijas Pueblo this past week, flamenco dancers, singers and guitarists.. the full compliment.. I enjoyed egg plant and honey.. very nice, possibly the worse item to have coming into wasp season, but they steered clear and I wasn't bothered by them!

Just a stroll around the stores, didn't do the gardens or La Peña.. 

Next week, next month, next year.. today in Puerta Banus, the market, El Corte, no puerta... otro día, otro momento. Until there are none.

This is not my life anymore, and although I yearn to be here, then am surprized by my sadness and longing and feeling of such sadness.. that I don't want to be, here, any more... 

M.

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. "

Buddha

 

Time marches on eh! Monday evening and Royal Beach Pirata.. 

Amazing sunset, thank you very much nature.. and the food!! Thank you very much chef!! What a seafood plate I had.. I didn't quote finish it, but I did good enough!

Dark walk home along the boardwalk, torches on mobile phones! Thank you very much whoever thought of that bright idea! No pun intended!

Tuesday we went to Benalmadina again, after a brief stopover in La Cala de Mijas.. 

Another wander through the stores, along the port, late breakfast or early lunch? At a bar facing the boats, which we returned to later, for a cool drink for M. and an ice-cream for me!

Wednesday? Probably stayed local.. Thursday similar during the day, and the evening meeting up with friends at Miel y Nata up in Sitio del Calahonda.. I have been there before, but donkeys ears ago!

We had an absolutely fabulous evening with Y. and G. Laughter all the way! And the Uber back, top far to walk.. was a huge people carrier, van! At least a six seater, facing eachother.. it was like a party bus! Or limo! I said as much as we got in, saying 'where is the cava and the music!,' the driver was understanding and played Madonna, La Isla Bonita 

We were singing along and seat dancing, if that's a thing! 

Such fun!

He dropped us off at McDonald's, our choice.. So we popped in for a caramel latte! And quite frankly, why not!

M.

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."

Willie Nelson

More Cabopino.. Feel so at home here, we sat and listened to a French singer, guitarist and keyboards.. 

We met up with my friend S. from Alhaurin on Friday, we walked talked, pastries, then ice-cream later... Left her at her bus at 5pm! From 10:45am! We then, stupidly carried on walking around Fuengirola,.got too tired, the bus stop too busy so Ubered it back here..

Below a wonderful sand sculpture along the Paseo maratimo in Fuengirola..

After tapas and Mercadona we got home just after nine.. very very long tiring day..

A couple of days before we met up with Y. and G., friends of M.s... spend a good few hours with them, closer to here up near Lidl.. that was a good day too..

M. and I have spent every day talking, sometimes singing.. a lot of time remembering.. reminiscing and one helluva a lot laughing! 

Afternoons in and by the pool, more than I ever normally would do.. mornings out and about.. I see customers from the shop, friends from years back.. 

I make us walk to Cabopino most evenings.. stretch our legs.. watch beautiful sunsets and feel the warm breeze on our faces or backs..

My neighbor from Alhaurin came down last Sunday, we sat at a local bar, chatting doe a couple of hours.. just like the old days..

M.

In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back..

Found this quote in my notes.. But actually am wondering now, if in fact the answers are.. not so much at the back.. but at, or nearer the end...

 

Days flying by... Walks to Cabopino, listening to live music.. Elvis was there ! Who knew!! Lol 

Bus to Benalmadina, walking along through favorite stores, the port doesn't change, most of bars and stores all exactly the same..

The tree above is one I have been seeing doe decades, I took this whole crossing over the carreterra the old N340 always the N340 to me... 

Taken from the boardwalk...

Above and below Benalmadina..

Oh, and I think I have fracture a toe.. lols.. my fault, we were walked back from the pool... Slumming it eh! Anyways!! I wasn't looking where I should have been.. and my left foot slipped off the paving, into a gully and then hit the side of lawn.. Luckily I didn't actually fall myself.. trust me!! 

Anyways, I got some tape and buddied it up with neighboring toes.. it turned black and purple within twenty minutes, and felt burning hot to touch.. 

Note to self, look where I am going in future!

M.

Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.

Kahlil Gibran, 1923

View from the garden room.. The bee hanging there buzzing about on the flowers... 

Been a wonderful week.. Friday I went to Alhaurin, got an Uber.. I was going to get two buses, but... well easier like this! 

Caught up with my friends, a light lunch and D. drove me home.. thank you 🙏🏻 not sure emojis come through! 

Saturday M. and I went to watch a friend gig at a comedy club in Benalmadina, it was held in CJs Karaoke bar on calle Bonanza.. 

What a fantastic evening! Absolutely fantastic! Three other comedians also... laughing so hard my face ached and my arms the following morning from clapping so much!! 

We hadn't eaten and ended up at the nearby to the apartment, McDonald's just before midnight.. ate too much, that's the trouble with eating too little and leaving it too late... 

Sunday evening we took a late stroll to Cabopino port.. watched the sun set.. 

I'll share the AI version of my photograph here, but the original is on my 500px site and can't share it anywhere else.. 

There was a strange sea mist, if you're from here, or know here, you know the mist I mean.. this above captured a young couple standing in the sea.. 

I have to say, I do like what AI has done with my photograph..

M.

If you don't sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice.

Unknown

Need a photograph here! No scenic views yet.. I am just home.. 

Fraser 

Sorry, talking to L. this morning and I sent her this video and now it is in my mind to share again here .. How many times have I done so though, written is usual, so forgive me repeatedly repeating myself with this poem by Tennyson.. "Ulysses."

Yesterday M. and I had a steady quiet day.. I was up and 7:30 like today, chilled out, lazy start, breakfast out by my old store.. Then Mercadona and 'home'.. Coffee ready lunch.. Then we took a nice long walk along the boardwalk towards Cabopino, stopping at Luna Calahonda beach restaurant.. Had cocktails.. I had a very nice Negroni.. I think it could become my preferred drink of choice, but at 13 euros here! Probably not!

Just added the top photograph! My own stock photography! This is the bar we went to, but unlike this shot, yesterday it was packed! I'll take better up-to-date, today!

Today, we got the bus to La Cala de Mijas, a coffee on the beach..

M. and I pretended to be movie stars, and disinterested in the camera! 

Lols

We then walked along the boardwalk, and decided to just keep on walking along the boardwalk and did so... All the way home here!

Hot and dehydrated! We had a cold drink somewhere along.. and sat and melted like everyone else there! So ladylike we are! 

Then just a bit further and home, lunch and and into the pool, spend about an hour just standing in there, before laying down on a sunbed and having a very quick nap!

We've eaten now, watched Moonstruck.. one of my forever favorites..

Now it's time for my sleep tea, and a read.. maybe.. 

M.

The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake.

Meister Eckhart - 1260-1328 - Theologian

Stressful or what!!

Unsure about pre booking an Uber, that worked out great, thankfully.. then the awful line for checked luggage!?! What in hell is that all about, I haven't checked a bag since.. oh! June lol But that was scan the passport, tick the boxes, wrap the label drop the bag handle and go, two minutes.. well maybe five, but very easy.

There were no conveyor belts working in the Ryanair section, so only three desks open and three people moving cases manually...

But not mine!?! Apparently mine was extra size bag? Not!! Had to line up further along and drop there, where the poor customer service man was in a right pickle! He ran the bags through the x-ray machine.. and two came back and he had to get them opened and test them for drugs!

Two too many, it caused a helluva hold up! Thankfully mine cleared immediately, I'm glad, I didn't want him pawing through my clothes! And unmentionables! Lol

Going through security, scanned my boarding code, then faced with two arrows, everyone ahead of me taking the left line, I took the right, only to have to stop while a guy was making people use both lanes further down.. I said he'd scuppered my plans by doing so, he said he didn't know why people were only using one lane! Ha! 

Then I was into departures, got a coffee, looked for a book, couldn't see one I wanted.. bought some random pjs, quick toilet break, back to books.. then I sat down and nearly freaked out.. my gate was boarding already!! And the furthest away! Practically knocked people out of my way!! Heck! I never do that!!

Then, in the line just before passport check woman behind said to her child about this TUI flight!! I had a mild case of panic at that point! Lol 

Now about to take off!

Bring me my coffee now please! And preferably a valium! Coffee and my cake almost an hour before everyone else's as I had pre ordered... What a brilliant idea I always take advantage of, not sure why others don't.. 

So, just coffee and a strange waffle thing! I only ate one.. was a lot more filling than I anticipated!

Flight has gone quickly and gently... Mid twenties rising to low thirties expected today... I am already in shorts on the plane..

M.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

Joseph Campbell