Expat interview – Ewan Lawrie

Ewan Lawrie is the latest expat to sit in our hotseat. This author lives in Malaga province. Enjoy finding out more!

When did you move to Spain, and where from?
I moved to Spain from a Royal Air Force base near Lincoln after 23 years in the RAF

Who came with you?
My wife.

Where in Spain do you live now?
I live on an urbanization mid-way between two towns (Alhaurin El Grande and Coin) in the Guadalhorce Valley, in Malaga Province.

What things (apart from loved ones) do you miss from your country of birth?
Guinness that’s been well looked after. Good conversation in English. Good live music.

Do you work? As what?
I am writing full time.

How are you with speaking Spanish?
Puedo defenderme muy bien. ‘Nuff said.

If you could change one thing about Spain… what would that be?
I would change the employment laws. Especially those surrounding Los Funccionarios, and Self-Employment. I read an article recently about Italy which said employment law had succeeded in criminalising 75% of people of working age in Italy. I suspect Spain is not far behind.

What are the best things about living in Spain?
The cost of living is low. The weather is beautiful here in Andalucia and I could lose many afternoons conversing in Spanish with whoever I happened to meet on any given day.

What are your favourite Spanish dishes?
Berenjenas en Miel (aubergines in honey).
Bacalao en sal (salt cod)
Any salad prepared with imagination!

What is the predominant nationality of your friends in Spain?
About 50-50, guiri-spanish.

If you won the Euromilliones – would you still live where you currently are? Why? Why not?
I might, but my wife wouldn’t. August is almost unbearable here in the south of Spain.

If a movie was made about your life – who would play you? Why?
Tom Cruise, it would be nice for him to have a role for which he was tall enough.

If you had to describe yourself as a cocktail… what would you be, and why?
Long Island Iced Tea… I sound harmless but…

Right – now is the chance to tell us all about your business/website/blog if you have one (or more of course).
I am a writer living inland from the Costa del Sol. I have won prizes for poetry and short stories. My first novel is the subject of a crowd-funding campaign with Unbound Books, who managed to get a crowd-funded novel on the Man Booker 2014 Long List.

My campaign can be seen here
http://unbound.co.uk/books/gibbous-house

My blog is here

See you around!

Elle Draper

Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.