Travel to Europe

Sitting here wondering how many people there are like me who have ageing parents in Europe and have been called upon to travel same day to hospital bedsides. It was difficult enough to find an airline seat for same day travel this time last year but the Flight Centre in Crows Nest, Sydney did the seemingly impossible and were very patient – I am trying not think about what would happen at the moment. 

Stonehurst Cedar Creek Semillon 1998

The Stonehurst Cedar Creek wines have become favourites and we tasted a 1998 Semillon last weekend that was pure Hunter – deliciously coloured and delicious to taste. Award-winning wines include the 2006 Chardonnay Semillon Champagne Style Sparkling White which won a trophy at the 2009 Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show. Shiraz, Chambourcin and Semillon are more drops to try at the pretty sandstone cellar door. Love red? Try the Grower's Reserve Shiraz and the Chambourcin!
The pomegranates in the picture were growing on the Cedar Creek property which have led me on a search for recipes - I have an Armenian one which includes pistachio nuts, rosewater, yoghurt and cream which I can't wait to try. Watch this space ...
www.cedarcreekcottages.com.au

Image © Ken Martin/True Blue Cockatoo/Stonehurst Cedar Creek

PS: Just looking at Not Quite Nigella (created by one of my favourite travelling companions) I see a recipe for pomegranate chicken. See for yourselves:www.notquitenigella.com.au

Volkswagen Eos & Hunter Valley Test Drive

Lucky us - we drove a Volkswagen Eos around the Hunter Valley last week for the Volkswagen Magazine. The weather was perfect so we had the roof down most of the time. We drove the Peat's Ridge Road off the F3, north of Sydney, stayed in Wollombi and drove to Pokolbin where we stayed at the brand new Chateau Elan, dined at Legends on Tony Maher's delicious food and had a massage at the divine spa.

We photographed The Vintry, a contemporary 'green' house on DeBeyers Road, photographed at Talit's, a Provencale house in Broke and loved the gnocchi at Margan's Restaurant (above), close to Whispering Brook. The full feature will be posted soon ..

Images © Ken Martin/True Blue Cockatoo