Expat Interview | Gary Leman

This week’s expat interview comes from Gary Leman, who has settled in the pretty area of Lloret de Mar. Rapidly approaching his first anniversary of living in Spain, Gary has kindly taken some time out to tell us about his new life.

When did you move to Spain, and where from?
Mid December 2014, from Chester

Who came with you?
My wife Susana and of course my dog, Nogg!

Where in Spain do you live now?
We live in the wonderful town of Lloret de Mar, Catalonia. Right in the centre to be close to all the action!!

What things (apart from loved ones) do you miss from your country of
birth?
During this summer I actually missed the rain a couple of times!! I honestly cannot think of anything else!

Do you work? As what?
I work as a Marketing Manager for a company called Fiestalonia. We hold music/dance/choral festivals in the Area and Europe for participants from all over the world

How are you with speaking Spanish?
Still learning !! I speak enough to get by and to be able to read the newspapers .. I haven’t read an English paper since being here!

If you could change one thing about Spain… what would that be?
The paperwork!! It took three different offices over three different days just to pay and register the water in my name!! .. But if you come to expect these things then they are not so bad .. just a little backward to
the UK

What are the best things about living in Spain?
We are lucky enough to have downsized from the UK and are now mortgage free… that’s a big stress gone .. so I have to say the pace of life, living more outdoors, the food, the weather, the people.. need I go on?!!

What are your favourite Spanish dishes?
In this region we have the sea and the mountains so I am lucky to enjoy a great mix .. my favourite(s) anything from the sea .. urchins, berberechos, and small fried fish (called Sonsos here)

What is the predominant nationality of your friends in Spain?
Catalan – and very proud .. if I called them Spanish they would lynch me!!

If you won the Euromilliones – would you still live where you currently
are? Why? Why not?
Same place but on the cliffs enjoying the “Brava” coast

If a movie was made about your life – who would play you? Why?
Easy .. Robert de Niro … some say he looks like me!

If you had to describe yourself as a cocktail… what would you be, and
why?
A pina colada – smooth with a kick

Right – now is the chance to tell us all about your business/website/blog
if you have one (or more of course).
Please take a look at our website www.fiestalonia.net .. we have talent coming from all over the world but so far very little from the UK!! I know there is some great talent in the UK and we need them to show Spain and the rest of the world what they’ve got!!

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.