And despite our markedly different backgrounds, it really became a tight-knit group. "It has been hit by bird flu, but it has also dropped out of fashion, partly because it is no longer much cheaper than Spain. On arrival, your phone may not always choose the cheapest local provider.
Resist being hurried into signing the private purchase contract until you are satisfied it is explicit about the property particulars. A good deal of clients were not fully aware of the constraints of the LRAU and believed it applied to the Costas in general.
Not everyone has made the mistake of overlooking it. Regular travellers should consider switching to one of the companies that provide pre-paid SIMs for use abroad. The commission has long argued that roaming charges are too high and has ordered the big companies to cut prices or face legal action.
She said that apart from local taxes, a wealth tax - calculated as a percentage of the value of assets held in Spain - must also be paid by homeowners there.
But be warned - it's no easy ride.
I was sat with a Madrid-born administrator named Almira, and luckily for me, her English was already very good.
Some of these locally-bought SIM cards will expire if no calls are made in six months.
One word of warning; if buying land, use a lawyer to check what the regulations are, because most new building is now prohibited. Another potential landmine for the unwary comes in the shape of hard-sell agents who claim there are easy, tax-free profits to be made by selling off-plan property before completion comes around.
In addition, in Alhama you're not going to get the hard sell. So for many, the days of Andalucia as an attractive property buying market are long gone - or are they?
Vodafone is claiming it will be the cheapest, although customers have to opt in to its discounted scheme.
"This can amount to a very large liability. With an hour to play with, you and your student can play at tennis, board games, cards, or simply take a stroll in the mountains. I was sat with a Madrid-born administrator named Almira, and luckily for me, her English was already very good. Apart from anything else, the law is there to protect buyers and sellers. However, Guardian Money research shows that most travellers will be better off buying a local SIM card when they arrive at their foreign destination, rather than using their UK mobile phone. Is this lack of interest among British homebuyers justified?
In addition, in Alhama you're not going to get the hard sell. My first day saw me talking at length about Spanish wine, with a native gourmand, which taught me far more about the drinking culture than a bar could have done.
If you want to buy property in quintessential Andalucia and want a bargain, draw a line between Malaga and Granada, and head for the halfway point, a little town called Alhama de Granada. From here it's a two-hour journey north to a Spanish hamlet where English is the official language.
Back to the Costa del Sol. The reasoning behind the law was that urban development would benefit the community in general and prevent land-bank speculators from holding onto rural land thus hindering progress. On the last morning we packed our bags while nursing hangovers from a particularly raucous party the night before.
Texting is the most cost-effective as there is no charge to receive texts while abroad.
The commission has long argued that roaming charges are too high and has ordered the big companies to cut prices or face legal action. Deals are always there to be done.
And take my word for it, there are plenty of opportunities for humour with a range of ages and backgrounds in the mix.
>From then on a suspiciously steady stream of walkers made the monotonous trek around the eastern mountain path.