Author: tduchess

Common Ground Canteen Kitchen

Common Ground Canteen Kitchen

Posted on by tduchess

Nothing Common about Common Ground

Nestled in a tiny shop, on the corner of a very busy street in Long Jetty on the NSW Central Coast, you will find Common Ground Canteen and Kitchen. It seems like a strange placement for this paddock to plate style cafe, but it works for them as they are always busy and you need to fight for a table on the sidewalk.

But it is more than just their location that seems to capture everyone from a morning coffee run, to a late night pasta. It is the brilliance of Chef Nic and his wife Kath and the honesty of this place, that keeps people coming back again and again.

Opened a few years ago by this dynamic pair, the place has gotten busier but their philosophy has remained the same. Fresh ingredients, cooked on an open fire in front of you, with a no-fuss attitude and it works. This is not a place for Pima Dona’s.  common Ground Blog 3

Open every day, this Chef and his team work hard to get good wholesome food to you, presented simply, but always filling your belly. You will not leave here hungry and need to do a Macca’s run on the way home. For the reasonable prices, the plates are huge and their share plates are great if you want to try everything they have to offer.

The daily menu, with old favourites, is rustic with a modern twist and the myriad of specials changes daily. It seems like Nic buys what is fresh and inspires him on the day and the concept of the dish starts from there. No recipes required.

They are licensed for BYO and you are always welcome to take a bottle of bubbly to go with their massive breakfast. You can build your own, but can I suggest Kath’s AM Dinner. A 130gram grass fed sirloin for breakfast might seem excessive, but it’s great after a big night out and at $19.50 you can’t go wrong. This is good steak, cooked right!

Of an evening, try their pasta nights. Big bowls with steaming hot ingredients that you will want to share and pass to your partner to try. Our faves are the Grinds Burger ($12) and the Lamb Forequarter on a roll ($10). After a long day at work, we pick up an easy, breezy bottle of wine and head down to Common for some no fuss fun. This is where you go when you don’t want to cook and you want someone to do the work for you. Take a deck of cards and just sit and watch the world go by. We do this so often, that when we don’t appear there for a while, the guys are all asking us where we have been when we finally have time to return!

Common Ground Blog 2Nic and Kath want to remind you of home, and they have achieved this. Common Ground Canteen and Kitchen is definitely our home away from home.

7/328 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty NSW 2261
Phone: (02) 4333 4214
http://www.thisiscommonground.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/commonground2261/

Little Love Letter

Little Love Letter

Posted on by tduchess

Nambucca Head’s Beach, NSW

This beautiful Little Love Letter is brought to you from stunning Nambucca Head’s Beach in Mid North NSW.  While we were there, I couldn’t resist taking my shoes off and walking knee-deep in the crystal clear water. The weather is always nice. The town is relaxed and everyone is chilled. There is a great pub across the road from the Beach too. Hopefully this Little Love Letter will inspire you to go and check it out for yourself!
http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/coffs-harbour-area/nambucca-heads

Hope, love & a whole lot of music!

Hope, love & a whole lot of music!

Posted on by tduchess

‘Booyah’ is more than a word – it is a way of life! 

But what does it mean to be Booyah? Our definition of this is: cool without pretence or judgement. Into each other without being show-ponies. Sophisticated without attitude. Relaxed, yet aware. Status without arrogance. Dripping in indulgence without splashing the cash. Living the high life but remembering where we came from.  

It was given to us like a gift at the place where Booyah is best defined – Hope Estate, in the NSW Hunter Valley. When it comes to Booyah only the best will do – and Hope Estate know just how to do it. 

There are a number of venues in the Hunter now offering big name acts in concert, and they all do it well. However ‘Hope’ seems to get the biggest and the best acts and if you are going to be dancing around in a muddy paddock after dark, then you MUST do it in style. ‘Style’ however does not mean a high pair of heels and a short dress – remember ladies, you will be in a paddock!  

Hope Estate offers a number of great packages in which to enjoy big headline acts on their epic-sized stage. But our favourite of all is the Cocktail Package. Ranging in price dependant on the artist, this package is 100% worth the cost with inclusions from plentiful food and wine, a great spot to watch the support act as the sun goes down and of course, a VIP seat within inches of the main act – no picnic blankets required.  

The lanyard issued as you breeze past the line at the main gate allows you to enjoy the night in a way most cannot, and you will find yourself feeling special everywhere you go. Then of course, you are escorted to your seat. At that point, although you realise you’re close, you really have no idea what you are in for.  

Sitting meters away from superstars such as Sir Elton John and Alicia Keys, the music engulfs you and you wonder

The Stage comes alive after dark!
The Stage comes alive after dark!

whether this is all real or just an amazing dream. Just like a good dream, I guarantee you definitely will not want it to end! As the sun goes down and the lights come up, do yourself a favour and look back. The sight is impossible to put into words, as there is a sea of people all dancing and singing to the same tune. We can’t help ourselves and even though it’s tight, we are dancing too, loving every moment of the experience. 

Taking a moment to head up the hill to the food and wine stalls also gives you a great chance to breath, take in the view and enjoy a nice glass of wine, away from the center of the action for a while. It is impressive as you see thousands of people enjoying the show just as much as you are. As Sir Elton sings Tiny Dancer, all the stars seem to align and twinkle in time with the music. This is not just Booyah – it’s magic. 

There is no doubt that doing a VIP package at Hope Estate is expensive. But if you want value for money, a little bit of luxury and a whole lot of Booyah, a ‘Hope’ VIP package is the only way to go. 

Hope Estate
2213 Broke Road,
Pokolbin NSW 2320
www.hopeestate.com.au
Ph: 02 4993 3555

 

10 Commandments of a Co-Pilot…

10 Commandments of a Co-Pilot…

Posted on by tduchess

The success of any road trip relies heavily on the co-pilot being aware, prepared and open to dealing with anything at any time. Relationships have been built or destroyed on the backbone of co-pilot skills during a road trip.

Below I have outlined 10 Commandments the co-pilot must adhere to and be willing to execute to ensure a smooth, safe and happy ending to any road trip. Be warned however, road trips can be stressful, nerve-racking and downright traumatic at times, so waiver from this list at your own peril.

  1. The co-pilot must be stocked with lollies (preferably orange snakes) and/or potato chips to ensure the driver can sustain concentration between pit stops.
  2. Always, and I stress, always have a set of headphones at the ready and untangled in case a unpredicted phone call beckons the driver. You are expected as co-pilot to plug them into the phone and hand them carefully to the driver.
  3. Have a smart phone handy with either the location of the destination on MAPS or information around potential accidents & hazards ahead. The smart phone can also be used for inspiration for conversation – I encourage you to look at American News where American Politics or ‘crimes of passion’ are blamed on a myriad of ridiculous excuses. This can provide hours of discussion.
  4. Any use of the horn by the driver MUST be supported and encouraged, followed by the comment “What was that person doing? Good job Hun”.
  5. Clever and expert overtaking must be applauded by the comment ‘nice job babe’, also dodgy or impatient overtaking can only be commented on by saying “Nice job babe”.
  6. If the driver asks “Was that a speed camera we just passed?” the only correct response is “nah, that was one of those average speed cameras honey, it’s all good” with the understanding that if a fine arrives in the mail you will take the hit.
  7. Success of the road trip can rest on the shoulders of good tunes, the co-pilot must be prepared to be DJ during their stint. Some commentary between songs in a DJ voice is desirable however not essential. I suggest a pre-made CD, downloaded songs on an iPad or iPhone to maintain the rhythm of the drive.
  8. It is imperative the co-pilot constantly assesses the wellbeing of the driver. For us, a 2 hour stint behind the wheel is how we share the long drives. After the 2 hour cut-off time check in with the driver either asking for a bathroom break or in general how they are going. If you notice the car driving down a part of the freeway yet to be opened that is an indication a switch in driver is required.
  9. As the co-pilot you are never to reach and hold the bar above your left ear (otherwise known as the Holy **** Bar). At times this may be a knee-jerk reaction which is hard to control. I invite you to refrain and instead type away on your IPad or look like you are searching for something on your phone. Reassurance & confidence will serve you well.
  10. At any point, when a brilliant song comes on the stereo stretch your legs, put them up on the dashboard, close your eyes, and sit back soaking up the moment, the love and the freedom of the road.
10 Commandments of a Co-Pilot
KAM Taking Over

We have done a lot of road trips – in fact the majority of our travels are done on the road, stuck in the car together for hours on end. By following these co-pilot commandments we guarantee you will arrive safely, still in love, and more importantly – working as a team on the road.

Written by KAM for How The Duchess Does It
https://www.facebook.com/HowtheDuchessdoesit/

 

Easy, breezy, Beach House

Easy, breezy, Beach House

Posted on by tduchess

KAM is cool. He was always one of the popular kids in school who got chosen for all the top sports teams and was constantly surrounded by lots of friends. I am the total opposite, never getting picked for anything except the school musical and was a ballerina in my spare time. Very uncool. 

But if there was ever a place where everyone is cool, it is the Beach House at Port Macquarie. It doesn’t seem to matter if you are a tourist passing through, a regular local or a mum with 2 Kids in her gym gear walking the kids and dogs along the waterfront – everyone is welcome.  

We stumbled across this place by accident on our very first trip to Port and since have experienced breakfast, lunch and dinner sitting out on the long communal tables watching the world go by and listening to whatever music they happen to have on that day. There is something happening here most days, but their live and local sessions by acoustic artists on a Sunday afternoon is my favourite. You’re sitting there with a glass of bubbles and a beat up old car pulls up. A guy gets out of the car with his guitar, plonks himself on a chair, plugs himself in and just starts playing. Easy, breezy and ever so cool. 

Open from 7.00am and located in one of the best spots in Port, you can stare out over the water and watch the dolphins gilding past as they start their day along with you. This is a busy little waterway with multi-million dollars yachts anchoring at the jetty or seaplanes coming into land on water that resembles glass. But it never feels rushed. Everyone here just takes there time, and life seems to be more about enjoyment than caring about running late for a meeting. In fact, I have seen a number of business meetings held here – guys arriving and striping off their suit jackets and ties to sit for a casual beer over what looks like a relatively serious meeting. 

The breakfasts here are massive and I recommend the Beach House Big Breaky which at $25 is more than adequate for 2 people to share. Pair it with a bottle of Taltarni Blanc de Blach ($55) and you have a breakfast made for champions. This is the way to start a day! 

The girls here also know how to mix a mean Martini and on a Friday evening they are $7 each at their Martini Club event, accompanied with live DJs out on the veranda.  

Every time we are in Port (which is not often enough), we visit this cool place and the last time we were there, the girls behind the bar remembered us and our order – and we hadn’t visited for over 3 months! That’s cool! 

The Beach House at Sunset
The Beach House at Sunset

Time moves slower in Port Macquarie and everywhere you look its like a moving postcard. This is the place you want to go to chill out and feel like a local even if only travelling on through. Be warned though…. Once you are here, you will find it very hard to leave. But the Beach House is a staple and will always be there when you feel the need to slow it down, relax and just be a bit cool.

The Beach House
2 Horton Street,
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Ph: (02) 6584 6011
http://www.thebeachhouse.net.au/

[email protected]

 

 

Smart & Snazzy Traveller

Smart & Snazzy Traveller

Posted on by tduchess

Travelling can be tough. I know when KAM and I travel, we are rarely in one place for very long (unfortunately) and are sometimes only home for a couple of days before having to repack and go again.

This means that you not only have to be a smart packer, but an organised one too. I have 3 different types of luggage and depending on where I am going and how long for, will depend on which one I will pack. It is essential to have a variety of good luggage, not only for practical reasons, but so you look good at the airport too!

So, I have a large hard case Flylite Quartz (Approx. $240). This suitcase is large enough for a long trip, but not too large that I can’t roll it along. It is white with a slight glitter finish and is perfect for getting on and off planes and knowing your goodies are all safe and sound.

My Guess set is beautiful and bright lolly pink with bling. It is a 2 piece set (Approx. $500) including a medium roller case and matching carry-on which is the best for packing a LUGGAGE INSERTfew extras in case your luggage gets lost in Thailand somewhere! I always feel beautiful when carrying this set and given how much I have used it, it still looks brand new! Quality lasts!

My last piece of essential luggage is a large classic Country Road Duffle Bag (Approx. $80). This luggage will never date and is perfect for a more relaxed few days away. KAM can easily carry this for me too, without looking a little strange – he can’t get away with that so much when carrying my bright pink Guess set! These smart duffle bags fit a lot more in them that you will think and can be thrown in the washing machine if they get dirty (or full of sand, if you are lucky enough to be heading to the beach!).

Whilst every trip is different, there are a number of essential items that I never travel without. To ensure you look good, no matter where you go, these die-hard items are:

  1. A pair of long boots
  2. A pair of short boots (preferably with heels)
  3. Dressy Jeans
  4. Jewellery to dress up or down an outfit
  5. A simple black dress
  6. A cross-body bag
  7. Nurofen, Band-Aids, baby-wipes and Aloe-Vera
  8. Swimmers and thongs
  9. Black leggings
  10. A couple of clean plastic bags (these can be used for any number of things, but are great for separating your dirty washing as you travel so you don’t have to do it when you get home)

My last suggestion for smart, regular travels is to have a spare make-up bag that mirrors the one you use every day at home. It’s too hard to pack and unpack your everyday items and not forget something. Trust me, I know! The amount of toothbrushes I have had to buy on the road is ridiculous! I promise having a make-up bag already packed and ready to go will be a godsend when needing to travel in a hurry.

Girls always over-pack – that’s a fact. So just make sure you have sexy luggage to roll through the airport or into a fancy hotel lobby. And whilst sexy luggage is definitely important, my all-time favourite essential travel item that I absolutely refuse to leave home without, is a sexy man with big muscles! It helps that he can lift my luggage for me, when I have brought too many clothes while travelling and had to sit on my suitcase to get it to close! Besides… Pink is definitely his colour!

Journey to a Happy Place

Journey to a Happy Place

Posted on by tduchess

Everyone should have a Happy Place. A place where you can go and completely get away from it all, enjoy a quiet glass of something sparkly and indulge in a nice meal. Our such place is the Mercure Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort on the NSW Central Coast, which is literally an Aboriginal word for Happy Place! 

Completely hidden and somewhat off the beaten track is a place that most Coasties don’t even know exists. This out-of-the-way site includes a beautiful hotel, an award winning golf course and a restaurant and cafe option that will suit even the pickiest of foodies.  

Perched high over the 9th Hole, Karinya’s Restaurant and Wine Bar is cosy during Winter with a large glass fireplace to keep you warm while you watch the rain fall on the large picture windows. Dimly lit, it is very romantic and with excellent service, Karinya’s is the perfect place to impress a first date. I should know! KAM is a smart man! Whilst their menu changes seasonally, I can highly recommend their steak dishes – they are always cooked to perfection! With dishes priced around $35-$40 each, this is love at first bite! The wine list too, changes quite regularly and they obviously have a great relationship with some top wine companies, so you won’t get bored with the offerings on the list. 

On the flip-side the more relaxed wine bar with a cafe style menu is great for a lazy Summer lunch and is no “poor cousin” to its fine dining counterpart. Lazing on the sunny verandah (watching poor golfers having the occasional tantrum over a terrible shot!), a large umbrella shades us as we sip champagne and wait for our meals. Taltarni finalWe can usually order enough food for the two of us to share for around $30 which is very reasonable considering the size of the dishes when they arrive, and bottles of bubbly are usually around $35 each – today we have chosen Taltarni T Series, Chardonnay Pinot Noir to pair with our lunch – a stonking drop! All in all, a small expense for the level of quality served here. 

Mercure Kooindah Waters is always a quiet place to relax in chic, contemporary style and is 100% our go-to place when life starts to overwhelm us. All the staff know us by name and always greet us with a smile and a warm welcome. When we decide to head to Kooindah, we don’t tell anyone where we are going, we turn off our mobile phones and do not allow devices at the table. We have had many a moment here just breathing and sitting in the silence, trying to regroup. This is our Happy Place and I guarantee you will find your “happy” here too. 

Mercure Kooindah Waters
 40 Kooindah Blvd, Wyong
NSW 2259
(02) 4355 5777
http://www.mercurekooindahwaters.com.au/

A Slow Dark Horse

A Slow Dark Horse

Posted on by tduchess

A little way out of the way and nestled into a hill with a fantastic view that the Hunter is famous for, is the cutest and most welcoming cellar door you will find in the Hunter Valley. Ballabourneen, is a family run business and although this is a pop-up originating from their recently opened vineyard cellar door, you can’t ask for more. 

Paul greets us at the front door, drilling some holes into a barrel in order to extend their deck furniture. He offers us to come inside, which is a welcome relief from the heat of the day and rather than putting a list in front of us, asks us what kind of wines we enjoy.  

Ballabourneen is a family run business and the Wine Maker Director, Daniel Binet, makes a large range of wines that will suit any taste. The new trend in the Hunter at the moment is to charge people for a wine tasting experience (fair enough if you ask me) – but not at Ballabourneen. Paul simply asks you to make yourself comfortable and enjoy, plonking a selection of bottles on the counter and starts pouring from the top of their driest of whites to the darkest of red wines that leave you wanting more.  

This is not a place to simply come if you are in a hurry or just want to down a few tastings in order to get your buzz on. This is a place you are going to want to take your time. Listen, learn and I guarantee you will enjoy the experience if you afford them the time – no different than they offer you. Nothing is rushed here, so neither should you. 

Ballabourneen and Domain de Binet offers up some serious wines. For such a little vineyard they have a range of 15 wines that will play with your taste buds and surprise you from what you thought knew about wine. For a fun afternoon in the sun, or a beautiful gift for someone you love, you simply cannot go past their Ballabourneen NV Moscato ($26). The packaging of this wine, is as sweet as it tastes and is simply the prettiest wine I have tasted in a long time. 

The Ballabourneen 2013 Traminer is an awesome drop! (At approx. $26) this wine can be enjoyed with or without food and is just simply fun for your mouth. This wine reminds me of Hunter Valley Traminer’s of times gone by. 20 years ago the Hunter used to make beautiful fun wines such as this, and it’s like Ballabourneen are reminding the Hunter not to be so serious all the time. 

We are a little obsessed with the Domaine De Binet 2013 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. Meant for summer days and light lunches, this wine has been carefully barrel-fermented to give you bucket-loads of tropical fruits. 

P1380728

However, if you are wanting to get serious, you simply cannot leave without a bottle of one of the best reds currently on offer on the Hunter Region. La Mere 2013 Shiraz ($50) is “the mother” of all Reds and if consider yourself a Red drinker, you will not be disappointed. Don’t be fooled though, this is not a light, easy-downing red for a casual dinner. This is serious stuff and is to be given as much respect as it deserves. Whist this might be one of the more expensive reds in the Hunter, it is worth every drop so open it and make it an occasion to be savoured and enjoyed slowly. This is not a ‘rushing through the city dinner wine’. This is a ‘romantic fireside kiss me!’ Wine. Get the picture?! 

The beautiful Hunter Regions is awash now of exciting little vineyards that often get overlooked by the big tour companies. Walking to all the bigger names, you will be struggling for space and fighting for some attention. Not here! For a small fee they offer you a cheese platter with your tasting, so my suggestion is to take some time, sit on the romantic verandah and enjoy a lesson from a lesser-known, but none the less amazing vineyard. You will leave satisfied, content and definitely in love.  

James Halliday Wine Companion recently dubbed Ballabourneen a “Dark Horse” Winery to watch, and I have to say, I agree. Keep your eyes on this one – and don’t forget to leave some space in the boot of your car to take some home with you when you visit. We left with more cases than anywhere else in the Hunter and it was worth having to re-organise luggage in order to fit it in.  After a hard day, relive the moment and create some more memories thanks to the romance of these lovely wines.

1039 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin &
515 McDonald’s Road, Pokolbin
NSW 2320
(02) 4998 6505
www.ballabourneen.com.au
[email protected]