The Down Low – Bundanoon
Interview
In our interview series, the Down Low, it’s been a bit tricky sourcing info on some of the smaller villages. What does one say about Burrawang for example with its four shops? We were thinking Bundanoon would be similarly challenging. We have a Twitter relationship with ex-Highlander Ben Morgan. And since he still raves about Bundanoon, despite having lived in Sydney for some time, we thought he might have some hidden gems to share. How right we were! Here is our interview with Ben Morgan.
SOHI: Can you tell me some background info about you?
BEN: I pretty much spent the first 20 years of my life in and around Bundanoon, but due to its lack of tertiary education (a problem that really should be remedied) I chose to head to Wollongong University where I studied Journalism and Creative Writing. After graduating I got my current job as Online Editor at Indesign Publishing in Surry Hills, and I’ve been here for 2 years developing amazing contacts within the design field and meeting some of the most talented individuals our world has to offer – a true privilege.
If you asked me to name my greatest passions, they would be food, friends and design.
What’s your history with Bundanoon and how often do you now visit?
I arrived in Bundanoon as a bub when my parents left the rat race (Roseville on the North Shore). If you ask me, the best decision they ever made, if you ask my older sister (10 years my senior), it was an horrific experience!
I have a deep attachment to Bundanoon – it’s a town with a lovely character and I know all those little corners that tourists never seem to find. I don’t get back nearly as often as I should, even though my parents (Ann and Dave) still live there in a beautiful rammed-earth house 10 minutes walk from “the shops”. I probably get back 6-8 times a year.
Are you willing to tell us Bundanoon’s best-kept secret?
Well… I might have to keep the best-kept secret pretty secret, but its second-best-kept secret would be the Hamburgers and potato scallops at the Primula Café. They’re not at all gourmet, they can sometimes be a little greasy, but I’ve never found anything quite like them (look, it’s probably a fair dollop of nostalgia here, so don’t let this sway your opinion of my ability to make sound culinary judgments).
What’s your favourite restaurant/cafe/food store in Bundanoon and why?
In saying the above, the best food, without a doubt, in the whole of Bundanoon is made by my Mum, Ann Morgan (Guilty Cakes and Catering 4883 6857). But there’s also a fantastic guesthouse called Idle-a-Wile, which does amazing dinners – like being invited into someone’s home.
What’s your favourite free activity in Bundanoon?
No contest on this one – bushwalking. There’s everything from ‘meandering’ to ‘hardcore bush-bashing’ tracks. My favourite would have to be Erith Coalmine – amazing on a hot summer’s day to cool off under the waterfall.
What is your favourite purchase from Bundanoon?
My Bundy on Tap Camelbak water bottle. (image above) I use it every day and it reminds me that Bundanoon is so passionate about so many things (for those of you who don’t know, Bundanoon was the first town in the world to ban still bottled water).
What is your poison and where do you buy it locally?
Well… my poison is definitely food. But in particular, I love the Pear and Almond upside-down cake from the Bicycle Shop Café, and the new Pizza Shop is a welcome addition to Bundy’s limited culinary offering (no offence Primula… Pub… Club… Chinese Restaurant!)
Also, while I’m at it, there are a number of very talented and amazing people in Bundanoon, including artist Harry Pidgeon and author David Foster lives there too!
Thanks Ben! Though it’s only the next village along from SOHI HQ, we’re ashamed to say we didn’t know about 90% of the things Ben had to say about the place. The next time we go to the village markets, we will be taking some quite serious detours.
Moss Vale Community Garden Tour
Garden / SOHI Calendar
This weekend (as well as the Cockatoo Run coming through Robertson and Moss Vale) the Moss Vale Community Garden is running a tour. If you haven’t read about the garden then put your specs on and grab a copy of SOHI Winter. We’ve explained it all. As if being for a good cause and a really enjoyable and interesting day wasn’t enough, Jill Cockram is truly encyclopaedic in her knowledge of edible plants! Read below for more details. We’ve included an out-take from our garden shoot from the Winter issue. It’s heart breaking to have to leave out images like this one of the fruits of the garden against the adobe wall that the volunteer and workshop gardeners built, but we’re pleased to share it with you here instead.
Date: SUNDAY 29TH AUGUST 2010
Time: 7.45am
Venue: Bus leaves @ 7.45am from Moss Vale Community Garden, Railway Street
Event: Tour of various community gardens
Cost: $20 (+ bring a plate of lunch to share)
Facilitator: Jill Cockram
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 4868 1780
Or login to our website and register for the event.
This post currently has no responses - Comment Now
Your favourite tree
Garden
We could be accused of Crowdsourcing, but when we decided to publish a series of our favourite trees, we realised that our idea of beauty could be very different to everyone else’s. We tend to love the unlovable – trees which have been hacked to fit our urban environment, trees with 10 sad blossoms to their names. But you may have a different idea of beauty. So we are inviting you to honour your favourite tree in print. If you have a favourite tree and you would like to submit it for consideration for publishing in SOHI, email us a low res pic. Make sure you have high res available for print as well though! We will be favouring pics which are shot in the SOHI style which is front on, deadpan, honest. Check out Emma Livingston’s series for inspiration (one of her pics is above). The tree can be urban, coastal or rural – whatever you love. As an added incentive, we will credit you with your name AND your business URL. So there’s something in it for you other than just a warm fuzzy feeling, which as we know, sadly doesn’t pay the bills.
This post currently has no responses - Comment Now
The Down Low – Nowra
Interview
This week we want to know what the Down Low is in Nowra. We have had a taste of the incredible Kinghorne Street, and Nowra is such a pretty town, we wanted to know more! So we asked writer Allison Tait to spill the secrets of her neighbourhood.
SOHI: Allison, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
ALLISON: I’m a freelance writer working for magazines, websites and book publishers. I moved ‘back home’ to Nowra with my family in December 2008 – having shot through as soon as I finished school and spending 20 years living in Sydney and overseas. It’s great to be back! (Allison’s blog is fantastic – ‘Life in a Pink Fibro’ – add it to your RSS)
How long have you lived in Nowra?
This time around – 18 months. The first time, about seven years.
Are you willing to tell us Nowra’s best kept secret?
I’m still finding them all – there are so many. My current favourite is The Kiosk at Terara - the best place to take the kids for a run around by the river while the adults enjoy a coffee.
What’s your favourite restaurant in Nowra and why?
With two young children, I don’t get out that much, but I do love Hungry Duck at Berry, the bistro at The Bridge Hotel, takeaway Thai from Thep Thai and an Indian curry at Kohli’s.
What’s your favourite free activity in Nowra?
Nowra is a great place to walk. Ben’s Walk, right in town, is a longtime favourite. My boys, aged three and six, also love feeding the overfed ducks at Marriott Park.
What is your favourite purchase from Nowra?
The Everything Store in Graham Street is home of most of my favourite purchases. It’s a fantastic mix of second-hand and vintage furniture and bits and pieces, old and modern. I love the 1940s clerk’s desk I bought there recently – and my son loves the smaller version I bought for him. Desks are a bit of a theme around here! For gifts, you can’t go past Shady Fig – I bought my sister three tiny ceramic birdhouses for her birthday and she loves me for them (pictured. By ‘Have You Met Miss Jones’).
What is your poison and where do you buy it locally?
Coffee is my thing and, fortunately, there are a few great suppliers in Nowra. I go to The Cake Store when I want it stylish and with a delicious sweet, Socrates Table when I want it strong and with a taste of Greece on the side, and Zest for great taste and a buzzy atmosphere. We’re spoiled for choice.
Thanks Allison! We now have a bulging day out planned for Nowra. And thanks for the tips about fun things to do with kids. A Godsend!
This post currently has no responses - Comment Now
The Cow Shed Shop
SOHI Calendar
This week, SOHI contributor (also writer and wife of super famous poet Mark Tredinnick) got in touch to tell us about her secret shop. She has such a wonderful way of speaking and writing, we thought we would share her words about the shop here.
“Shhh… don’t tell my husband, but the library, in the cowshed where he writes, has turned into a little shop. The cows and cooling vats are long gone, but his books are still there, sharing the space with a range of unusual and practical home and garden gifts that won’t milk you dry—from beautiful desk and writing accessories to bamboo cloches, slate memo boards and iron finials. There’s something for everyone. The shop’s only open by appointment, so this is great opportunity to take a peek; littlies are more than welcome to play in the garden while you do so.”
The shop is cash or cheque only and this Friday Maree is having a Cow Shed Shop open day at ‘Nettlebed’, her property on Eridge Park Road in Burradoo. The opening hours are 10am – 2pm. There will be tea and treats served. Maree is otherwise known as the Martha Stewart of the Southern Highlands and her tea-time spreads make us ashamed of our teabags and shop-bought cakes! If it’s very rainy, the day will be postponed and we will post the new date on the blog.
For further information, call Maree Tredinnick: 4861 5557; 0428 231 110
This post currently has no responses - Comment Now
This post currently has no responses - Comment Now