Nestled in my corner of Paddo
December 2, 2018
Having lived in Paddo at my Auntie and Uncle’s since the day I got to Aus, I can’t help but feel this is my home in Sydney. Of course I will always be welcome to stay with my family who have already helped me out so much, but as I begin my second year down under, it’s time to find my own accommodation. I can’t wait to share a house with new friends and get into the swing of life back in the city. My preference is definitely Paddington or one of the surrounding suburbs, but even the thought of Bondi to be by the beach for summer is appealing too. I will continue my search with this in mind, but always return to the Paddo hood for delicious dinners and fantastic parties hosted by my Auntie and Uncle in their beautiful corner of Paddington.
Now I find myself back in sunny Sydney and ready for more adventures and challenges as I embark upon a new job in PR and continue the fun and games of city life. I’ve even got my city escape back in the idylic Southern Highlands where my Aussie man is based…honestly couldn’t have written the story better myself, here’s to the next chapter!
With lavish table decorations and a swanky whiskey bar just next door, the night oozed glitz and glamour of the 1920s. My mum was delighted with the array of dresses we had lined up for her and looked stunning in her chosen floor length, fish tail, beaded white gown complete with pearls and a head piece.
For my outfit I chose to channel my inner Peaky Blinder with a suit, braces, glasses and flat cap all dressed up with pretty jewels and pearls; think Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City 2 when she is best man at the gay wedding.
Every single guest made such an effort with their costume and we were grateful for how many friends and family came along. It was a night to remember seeing so many faces from the past and close friends who all came to put on the party of the season for my fabulous mum.
The dance floor was popular all night and we continued into the early hours at the bar next door. We couldn’t have asked for a more fitting location to put on our Great ‘Cazby’ (my mum’s name is Caroline) evening in celebration of such a special year for my mum. It wasn’t to be missed and certainly was worth flying from the other side of the world for!
Returning to the area following my time away there was some new places I wanted to visit alongside the old favourites. As a trending place on Instagram, Petersham Nurseries was somewhere I had to see for myself. It didn’t disappoint with it’s quaint exterior and beautiful courtyard of flowers, so we stopped by for a coffee in the deli. They had offerings of delicious baked goods, lovely salad choices and the menu for their restaurant looked fantastic too, perfect for pre-theatre.
Having had our caffeine kick, it was time to shop and explore the streets of my old stomping ground. Towards Seven Dials we went to Dr.Martens, Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters, Mango and the best vintage store in town, Rockit.
We decided to enjoy a late lunch at Balthazar, a modern French Bistro with exquisite interiors making you feel like you’ve stepped into a restaurant in Paris. Having visited before for brunch, I was excited to try their lunch menu and wasn’t disappointed. I went for the Moules Frites which was paired perfectly with the bottle of white wine we shared for the table. They even brought out a platter of macaroons with candles for my Mum’s Birthday, how sweet!
Following our idyllic afternoon strolling around Covent Garden, we headed to the Tower of London to see the poppies being lit in commemoration of WWI. It was hauntingly beautiful watching the ex-soldiers light 10,000 torches in remembrance of those who lost their lives all that time ago in The Great War.
To complete our day in town, I took my Mum and Auntie to Sky Garden which is at the top of the walkie talkie building in the city. With 360 degree views of the city lit up by night and a glass of wine in hand, it was the perfect setting to finish the day as a visitor back in my home city of London.
Always being one for a cheese board and regular customer of our local wine bar, I had to provide a platter of delicious offerings including lots of fruits, pickles, cured meats and chutneys to accompany the carefully selected array of cheese. Also known for my love of creating and consuming beautiful salads, I made a salad inspired by a recent visit to Cote Brasserie which included apple, currents, walnuts, goats cheese and a honey mustard dressing. A board of fresh french stick with oil, balsamic and basil leaves was the perfect accompaniment to complete the nibbles table.
When originally planning the gathering, I had envisioned using my bar skills and putting together some fancy cocktails. However I was far more concerned with getting the food prepped so opted for pink sparkling and endless bottles of prosecco to quench my guest’s thirst. My mum even kindly lent us her stunning antique prosecco coupes which were the perfect prop for photos too.
Another important component to creating the perfect setting was the music. I linked my spotify to the speakers and put on my go to chilled house music mix from Majestic Casual. Some cute fairy lights and candles made for a cosy setting around the coffee table – the girls said it looked like Christmas in there!
I wore my new knitted jumper which I’d spotted in a little boutique in Farnham along with my favourite ruffle suede mules from Zomp Shoez in Sydney. When the girls arrived at 4pm I couldn’t wait to pop the bubbly, relax and catch up on life with my friends. It couldn’t have been a more perfect setup in which to enjoy each other’s company and soak up the time with my girls.
Of course we had planned on moving the night onto the local club in town and having started in the late afternoon, by the evening we were more than ready to let our hair down on the dance floor. This is where the night got a little more boozy as we ordered in the tequila shots and jaeger bombs! Let’s just say there were definitely some memories made and stories to be told…
Walking through the front door I’m greeted with an overwhelming scent of home and my beautiful room is still just as I left it. I always took such pride in decorating my room with stylish interiors and memorabilia including precious photos from over the years. I’ve continued to make the effort to print those special photos despite everything being digital now so I can look back on cherished memories. It was also a joy to be reunited with my wardrobe of gorgeous clothes and shoes which I have a new appreciation for since I’ve been living out of my suitcase for 10 months!
Now having been back in England for a week, it doesn’t feel like a day has passed since I left. Coming back has reminded me of my humble roots and the fabulous family and friends I have who are always there and support me no matter what – that’s what makes home a home.
Having finished up work here in the Southern Highlands a week prior to my flight, I’ve decided to actually relax and do those things that I enjoy before a long journey and emotional visit back to England. I took a trip to some local cafes and wineries I’ve been meaning to visit and finally found the time to sunbathe in our little garden. Cooking and cleaning has always been my way of switching off – as backwards as that sounds! – so I’ve been making some delicious dinners and my favourite breakfast bowls to enjoy too.
Now it’s time to zip up my suitcase and begin the journey back to Sydney and then home. I can’t quite comprehend the amount of time that has passed but I know not much will have changed in my absence. My visit to England will fly by so I’m eager to see as many of my friends as possible and soak up being reunited with my family. On reflection, this adventure down under has changed the course of my life and I just can’t wait to get back on Australian soil and hit the ground running as I start the next chapter!
Working at one of the wineries myself, I have been keen to visit other popular venues including Centennial Vineyard just out of Bowral and Bendooley Estate in Berrima. I was particularly intrigued by the idea of a bookshop at Bendooley which welcomes guests to enjoy their menu of enticing Australian cuisine whilst perusing the literature.
Arriving at the estate on a drizzly spring Friday afternoon, I was welcomed by the site of a roaring fire to escape the cold. In the main cafe seating area nestled between the shelves of books, it’s hard not to get drawn in and immersed into an interesting read. Stocking everything from original English fiction and old school cooking books to current cult classics and eye catching coffee table hard backs, you could spend hours discovering new reads whilst sipping on your wine and enjoying a slice of pizza fresh from the stone oven.
Starting with white, I was refreshed with a crisp fruity Sauvignon Blanc and found the woody zest of the Semillon a real winner. Of course I had to try the sparkling too and being my personal preference, the NV Cuvee didn’t disappoint with a delicate fruity finish perfect for a summer afternoon.
Moving onto the reds and with a good variety of light, woody and heavier types, there certainly was a taste for every palette. The Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of dark fruits and a medium body was exquisite and the Sangiovese giving more spice and bite would accompany a cheese board perfectly. Being more partial to a full bodied red, I didn’t expect such depth of flavour in the Pinot Noir which time in French Oak leaves a delicious woody finish.
With staff as friendly and welcoming as its surroundings, Bendooley Estate offers an all round experience of casual fine dining, sociable chatter of wine tasting and book browsing at leisure…a beautiful recipe for the quintessential afternoon in Berrima.
For brekky or a snack anytime of the day, you can’t go wrong with a classic yoghurt bowl. Take a dollop of Greek set yoghurt, frozen berries warmed in a little water, pear slices baked in honey, a crunchy granola laden with nuts and a generous dash of cinnamon – simple, fast and cheap. Baking the pears turns their flesh into golden sweetness and with the crunch of granola on top of the fruit, this combination is like a healthy take on crumble desert!
A night in cooking for myself means taking what odds and ends I have leftover and getting creative with the flavours I can put together. This colourful bowl of goodness was a mix of salad, paprika roasted veggies including cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, onion and whole garlic cloves, fajita quorn strips, sticky white rice, sprouts, pepitas, a squeeze of lemon and that all important drizzle of hot sauce. The addition of pineapple wedges and touch of paprika on the veggies complimented the Mexican theme and really vamped up this dinner.
Once again oats prove to be the most economical of wholesome ingredients and provide endless possibilities with all the different cooking methods. I most often use rolled oats and choose to cook on the stovetop, however I baked this bowl of oatmeal in the oven to achieve a super creamy consistency. No need for fancy powders or seed mixes, simply take a cup of rolled oats, a cup of soy milk, a cup of water, mix together in a bowl and leave in the oven for 25 minutes or so. I stirred in grated apple half way through and left to stand for 10 minutes before topping with warmed berries and cinnamon. I’ve experimented a lot with methods for cooking oats and lavish toppings to decorate, but this basic recipe was perfect and just as worthy of a photo. I enjoyed my bowl sat in the garden soaking up the first few rays of Australian spring; sometimes its the simple pleasures that warm the soul.
Being a Sunday the spot we had planned on going was busy with people, but luckily we knew of another place a little more off the beaten track. We found a deserted section of the river, set up our hammock and got some chilled tunes going on the speakers. I couldn’t think of a more idyllic scenario than sitting by that stream all afternoon enjoying my flask of coffee and reading my book in the hammock.
Whilst there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, a gentle spring breeze took the edge off the strong Australian sunshine. Soon enough though we’ll be swapping our coats and flasks of tea for swimwear and refreshing cocktails as we make weekly trips to the abundance of stunning rivers and lakes the Southern Highlands has to offer – Spring has sprung!
Dani Aneka 