A former Eastern Daily Press journalist who quit his job for a new life in Spain has told how he and his family are making it work for them – and have set up a new export business.

Martin Kirby has this month also seen his novel Count the Petals of the Moon Daisy published, and says he has “no regrets” about leaving Britain.

The 48-year-old former deputy editor left the EDP in January 2001, after working for the paper for 22 years. He headed for Spain with his wife Maggie Whitman, and children Ella, (now 11), and Joe, (now six).

The family swapped their Norfolk home for a rustic Spanish farm, complete with vineyard and olive groves in Catalonia, and as well as farming and writing they run a holiday cottage.

Their new venture is exporting olive oil from village cooperative mills in the Catalan mountains in north east Spain, which pick and press arbequina olives within 24 hours.

Each bottle has the pressing and bottling date, together with the details of the exact mill and village it came from, and they aim to get the oil from the mill to people’s homes within six weeks.

Martin said the idea to export the oil had stemmed from the holiday business, as visitors had commented on the quality of Mediterranean food.

He said: “Fresh oil is packed with flavour and vitamins and it something we feel strongly about.

“We eat really well here. It is hard work but family and food were one of the reasons we came here – we always eat as a family and don’t rush our food.”

Since quitting the grind of a daily paper Martin has also written a novel and is currently working on a second.

Set in East Anglia and in particular the Norfolk Broads, Count the Petals of the Moon Daisy tells the tale of two women, separated by 100 years, and how their lives weave closer and closer.

The book also has American roots, and Martin is currently looking for an American publisher.

His earlier true-life book, No Going Back, Journey to Mother’s Garden, which tells the tale of his family’s move, has since been published in South America, Holland and Catalonia as well as Britain, and a sequal is planned.

He also writes a monthly column for the Eastern Daily Press and the Yorkshire Post about his life abroad.

Martin said: “I was very fortunate to work with wonderful people at the EDP. I had a good boss, a rewarding job and I left while I could still do it and enjoy it.

“But I don’t miss it – the challenges here are enormous and I get to be with my family all of the time.

“The greatest regrets in life are the things you didn’t do. I have no regrets.”