I was lucky enough to get to know Annabel at the first Cornish Blogger meet up in the summer. We instantly clicked and she soon became one of the people I wish lived closer to so we could hang out more and become better friends. Full of life, funny and pretty wise, she is an inspiration after upping sticks and moving to Cornwall for some R&R after suffering a stroke in her final year of her architecture degree. Not that anything gives it away unless you specifically asked or went on her blog, Brainfood which she describes as “a healthy lifestyle blog based in lovely Cornwall. exploring, crafting, beaches and crochet.”
Though she blogs more sporadically than some, I love reading what she has to say as it’s exactly like cosying down with a cup of tea and nattering with her in person. Hearing stories from adventures in my beloved Falmouth, her blog acts as a diary of her life enjoying everything that Cornwall has to offer. So grab your favourite cuppa and a slice of homemade cake and settle in to read all the loveliness she has to offer…
1. How would you sum up your blog?
Very much a work in progress! I started as a way of rambling about my new and exciting life, having escaped the mad world of London and studying Architecture to run wild and free in beautiful Cornwall with P. Having had a stroke in July of last year I was well overdue a life-haul and Brainfood seemed an deal spot to collect the ideas and experiments that have become my wonderful new life.
2. Describe your ultimate meal (starter, main and pud)?
I have never really been very good at picking favourites, I’m far too fickle and obsessive! The thing I’m enjoying right this minute will be my favourite FOREVER … until the next thing comes along. At the moment I am deep into autumn fare, all of the delicious, hearty food that is like one big belly cuddle and demands a nap after eating! A nice sweet potato and chorizo stew with crusty fresh bread (phwoar! Thats dinner decided!) is a strong and hearty starter but would be perfect. Main has to be sushi … yes I’m aware this is the weirdest meal ever! All of the delicious sushi, lots of buttery salmons and soy sauce and far too much wasabi …mmm! Pudding is quite specific but is beyond dreamy; the Gizzi Erskine recipe ‘Banoffee cake and Sticky Toffee Sauce’ – the simplest thing to make but utterly, utterly heavenly.
3. If you were a vegetable what would you be and why?
Something practical and versatile! Potato? (Could I have picked a more fundamentally dull vegetable? Please don’t show this to a psychiatrist!) But hey, Mashed potato is the best food ever and roasties and comforting slow-cooked baked potatoes. Dreamy!
4. Name the book/s that has had most impact on your life?
The Little White Horse – Elizabeth Gouge. A proper lesson as a child in the flawed heroine! I have read this so many times since being little and it still is very special. Maria was a strong goal as a child, a strong and independent girl amongst a sea of wet blankets! A wonderful story with the perfect balance of ‘fairytale’ and realism.
Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami. A somewhat heartbreaking addition to the list but it juts had to be here. Murakami is such a poetic and sensitive writer and this book in particular addresses some really deep topics like death and unrequited love in his unique and perfect way.
Oh…just too many! Come over for a cuppa and we’ll have a book binge!
5. Describe one of the best adventures you’ve ever been on?
One of the joys of moving to a new place (and ultimately-incredible place like Cornwall) is that you don’t feel too guilty about doing the touristy things and really appreciating the amazing experiences that are just on your back doorstep. Cornwall is full of them! Most weekends are spend exploring about and getting into scrapes, but it’s wonderful to just be able to roll home at the end of the day … usually full of cream tea!
6. In a film about your life, what would three of the tracks on the soundtrack be and why?
There would definitely have to be some Northern Soul in there to represent my family … something catchy that you can dance embarrassingly to like ‘Love Train’ by or ‘Do I love you’. We were all brought up on Northern Soul and there’s nothing better than singing along far too loudly on a road trip! ‘Queen of the Night Aria’ from The Magic Flute would sneak in as that used to be my solo piece when I toured Europe with my orchestra (yeah, totally just dropped that gem in … no shame!) and ‘One Day Like This’ by Elbow – my all time favourite track.
I actually have my 10 desert Island discs all planned out, just in case of a rapid rise to fame … *ahem*
7. What’s your go-to interesting fact about yourself?
Now, define interesting…! I can recite the whole of ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde from memory. Does that count? One very misspent childhood right there and not in the usual way! Oh and I’m related to Issac Newton … I’m currently sat on the sofa debating with P as to whether this counts as interesting either but it will just have to do!
(ok, so the debate has turned into a irate google and as Newton never ‘had any commerce with woman’ this fact is all going a bit pear shaped and I have no famous identity whatsoever!)
8. If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
Since being OBSESSED with heroes I have had some long and foolishly in depth discussion on this front and I’m tied somewhere between flying (although being terrified of heights is this downside) and super speed like the Flash. I think the super speed is winning but can you imagine the commitment to fitness to being the Flash. Really not sure if it’s worth it! OH NO WAIT … shape shifting. All the way! That would be the most fun and helpful AND I’m yet to think of any downsides.
9. Name three countries you haven’t been to yet on your travel bucket list?
Eastern Asia has always held a lure, places like Vietnam or Cambodia for a combination of the incredible scenery and desperately just wanting to eat my way around all of the markets! New Zealand is also up there for the breath taking views and The Waitomo Caves on the north Island. I get very claustrophobic, so going underground in a boat seems like a terrible idea in theory but they hold a complete fascination for me and I would love to explore. The architect in me is demanding Copenhagen to be on here too for the incredible buildings and the wonderful minimal design. I don’t quite know how I’ve never made it before but I think this might have to be rectified very soon. Bring on 2016!
10. What are some of your favourite blogs that we should definitely all be following?
My go to blogs are ones that can always be guaranteed to cheer me up and really inspire me all of the time. One of my first finds was Kaylah at
The Dainty Squid. Her life and style was so different to mine when I started following her but her beautiful writing always immerses me in Cleveland life and her ‘Friday Favourites’ are 100% perfect every week. I also think she is one of the inspirations I had to escape to the middle of nowhere and back to nature! Also, her hair…I mean, how can you not be in love!
Rebecca at
From Roses is a constant source of calm and sense, with a beautifully refreshing blog and super inspiring posts.
Anna, too, at
The Cornish Life can always be relied on to somehow juts know exactly what your thinking and offer a hundred pearls of cornish wisdom! Not forgetting the beautiful Wooden Window Sills, of course!
