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Journalist’s book reveals life in Greek financial crisis

A former regional journalist who gave up her job in the UK for the sunnier climes of Greece has released a book about surviving the deep economic troubles which have plagued the country.

Marjory McGinn, aged 58, moved to the Mediterranean country in 2010 with her partner Jim Bruce, 56, to escape the British recession and rough weather.

Marjory had freelanced for the Herald & Times Group and The Scotsman for around 10 years, while Jim worked full time as a senior sub for the Herald in Glasgow and the Evening Times.

There, they rented a house in the hillside village of Megali Mantineia, where they befriended goat farmers and olive harvesters in a bid to lead an authentic Greek life.

“Friends and family warned us it wasn’t the right time for an adventure in troubled Greece, but with Britain in recession and journalism in crisis, what was there to fear from Greece on the edge?” she said.

“In some ways the plan seemed like madness but it turned out to be the best decision of our lives

“We saw firsthand how the crisis began to affect ordinary people.

“We explored the region and wrote travel and lifestyle pieces for both British and Australian publications, as well as a blog for our website.”

Things Can Only Get Feta will be released in paperback at the end of July

Initially, they had planned to stay for just a year, but they enjoyed their experience so much they have stayed for three so far.

And their experiences have been chronicled in Marjory’s book, Things Can Only Get Feta: Two journalists and their crazy dog living through the Greek crisis.

“The book is about the first year in Greece in the hillside village and the many wonderful, stoical Greeks we met there showing that Greece still has heroes, if not euros,” Marjory added.

“Jim and I also had many escapades there along with our mad dog Wallace, outlined in the book.

“I wanted to write the book partly as a way  to record a unique way of life that probably won’t stay the same forever.”

The book, published by London firm Bene Factum Publishing, is available now on Amazon Kindle for £4.19. A paperback edition will be released on July 30, at a cost of £7.99.

Former regional journalist Marjory McGinn with her dog, Wallace, who also features in the book

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  • July 17, 2013 at 10:27 am
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    ‘Things Can Only Get Feta’ ! Cheesy pun but sounds like an interesting book. Hope it does well.

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