Meet Rachel!

Did you see my Facebook post recently, where I said I would feature my 100th Google Friend Connect follower?

Rachel, from Rachel Cotterill was lucky 100! Actually, as it turns out, I was the lucky one, because I discovered a great blog, and Rachel had some fascinating answers to my very mundane questions.

It's funny how things work out...Rachel and I happen to share a couple of passions...namely traveling and baking, which makes me naturally drawn to her blog. She has been to some a-MAZ-ing places -- check out her travel map to see how much of the world she has seen! And, she's written a book about baking called Design Your Own Cookies.  Rachel is a woman after my own heart...anyone who travels the world leaving a trail of cookie crumbs is alright in my book!

I asked Rachel if she would answer a few questions about herself, which she graciously agreed to do. 

Rachel Cotterill

Rachel, introduce yourself!

I'm 30 years old, and married for five years (no kids, one gerbil). We live in a little  cottage in the Cotswolds, a rural area in central England. When I'm not blogging and writing, I'm a PhD student struggling to finish my thesis.

What is your blog about?

Mostly, vegetarian food and travel experiences. I love to bake, I love to eat, and I love to travel -- so it follows from there. I've thought about separating the two themes into separate blogs, but since I eat a lot when I'm traveling, it's not at all obvious how best to do that...so for now it stays a mish-mash.

How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging in late 2008. I'd just got married, we'd returned from our honeymoon taking the trans-Mongolian train across from Russia to China, and suddenly I felt like I had a few things I'd like to share with a wider audience. My blog has stayed on very similar themes ever since, since travel and food continue to play a central role in my life!

Do you have a favorite post?

Wow, that's a tough one, with over five years to choose from! But one I think has really stood the test of time is Snow, Hiking and Fear - any essay from the side of a Faroese mountain.

What are your hobbies/passions, aside from blogging?

One of my favourite things is to learn new things - so I'm constantly adding new hobbies to my collection, the latest being archery. Passions which have stood the test of time, though, include baking and writing (resulting in two fantasy novels and one recipe book, so far).

Of all the places you have traveled, do you have a favorite?

So far, I think it's Iceland. When I first met my husband, he mentioned that he was thinking of cycling around the ring road there, and we immediately knew we were going to do it together. Before the year was out we were living together and packing our panniers for a six-week camping trip. There's such an amazing variety of scenery: from glaciers and icebergs, to bubbling mud and hot springs -- and even a cold, black desert which was a very strange place to pitch a tent.

What is one random fact about yourself?

I used to live on a narrowboat. Nothing teaches you to be philosophical about everyday utilities like living in a disconnected metal box! The 'highlight' in that respect was probably when it got so cold one night that the diesel thickened up too much to flow to our heating system. Somehow, we survived, with hot water bottles and several layers of blankets.

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Thank you, Rachel!

I had a great time checking out Rachel's blog. She's got tons of recipes, but one that caught my eye was Lavender Shortbread, which I've already pinned. Her travel photos? They are gaw-geous! I hope you'll go and visit Rachel Cotterill...you'll enjoy her blog!

Speaking of enjoying...this turned out to be great fun.  I think I just may randomly pick another new follower to feature sometime soon. 

Will it be you? 

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