A novel of George Orwell in 1920s BURMA
Talking Location with author Daisy James – Cornwall
4th March 2017
#TalkingLocationWith…… author Daisy James, who shares some terrific foodie delights to be found in Cornwall!
Daisy and TF’s Tina
Location is always very important to me when I’m writing. It’s almost as though it’s another character that requires just as much attention, just as much crafting, as any other. My first novel – The Runaway Bridesmaid – was set in New York. I enjoyed an amazing trip there a couple of years ago, for a milestone birthday, except instead of spending five exhilarating days taking in the sights, because of Hurricane Sandy we ended up being there for eleven. Everywhere was closed, even the Broadway shows, so I grabbed a pen and some paper and started writing and my first published novel was born.
When I began researching my fourth book, I wanted my characters to have a fabulous backdrop for their story, so it had to be Cornwall. The scenery is so beautiful and diverse, not to mention the fact that the sun always seems to be shining. There’s Something About Cornwall follows a culinary road trip around the whole county taken by Emilie, a food photographer, and Matt who is a last-minute replacement driver for an orange-and-cream vintage campervan they’ve nicknamed The Satsuma Splittie.
Their epic journey starts in Padstow where they meet at a surfers’ beach party whilst sampling Cornish Mine Punch. They then hop into the camper van and head for Truro and an apple orchard where Emilie photographs the cakes and biscuits the famous TV chef Lucinda Carlton-Rose has prepared for inclusion in her next cookery book. Cornwall is famous for its abundance of apples, so Cornish Cyder Cake and Apple and Caramel Loaf are featured.
Apple and Caramel Loaf
As the story is set in September/October there is an abundance of blackberries along the hedges of St Ives, and Lucina prepares a twist on the iconic Cornish pasty by baking one with a Blackberry and Apple filling. I didn’t want the story to only focus on the wealth of delicious artisan food to be found in Cornwall, but also its local beverages. So, Emilie and Matt sample Scrumpy as well as locally brewed beers. I was amazed to find that vineyards flourish on south-facing slopes and fabulous white and rosé wine is produced in Cornwall. The county is also the only place in England that grows tea – it offers a whole new meaning to the label English Breakfast tea!
During my research of artisan beverages, I came across the Southwestern Distillery, run by Tarquin Leadbetter, which produces not only Cornish gin but also Cornish Pastis. The pastis is a modern take on the classic French apéritif and the first of its kind created in the UK. It is made with gorse flowers foraged from the Atlantic clifftops and fresh orange zest finished off with a touch of liquorice root. He also grows his own Devon violets for use in his Tarquin’s Gin.
Pastis from The Southwestern Distillery
I hope readers will enjoy escaping to our southernmost county when they read There’s Something About Cornwall!
Thank you to Daisy for such wonderful tips and insights. We are definitely tempted to visit Cornwall once again!
GIVEAWAY:
For a chance to win a book on the history of the much-loved, iconic camper van, a mug and a coaster, just follow Daisy James and retweet the pinned tweet. The prize will be drawn on 31st March 2017 (UK only).
Follow Daisy on Facebook and Instagram too, and you can buy all her books here!
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A huge thank you to Tina for featuring me as a guest on her lovely blog. Travel writing is my favourite genre and I love reading about the varied locations that inspire stories and the urge to travel. Warmest wishes, Daisy.