Heaven oh.
This past week I have been fortunate enough to be staying in a one hundred and eighty year old farmhouse situated in the most magical garden just outside the town of Milton on the New South Wales South Coast. Located just a short drive from Mollymook Beach, The White House, Milton is the home of iconic fashion and homewares designer Colette Dinnigan and her husband Bradley Cocks.The home itself is beautifully decorated in a way that it feels both homey and comfy, however the real highlight is the most beautiful five acre garden that surrounds it. Whilst residing at The White House the words picture book window take on a whole new meaning. As you sit and relax and gaze out, no matter where you are in the house the view through the window looking into the enchanting English style garden is simply breathtaking. Whether you are relaxing on the verandah overlooking the rolling green lawns, the quaint little cottage that once served as the butter shed, shaded by a big old oak tree with a swing falling from it, or snuggling in the comfy white lounge looking out to the vine covered pergola with a backdrop of flowering agapanthus and citrus trees, every moment feels like you are looking into a real life painting. When you stroll around the grounds through the orchard of citrus trees picking lemons and limes to cook with, whilst at the same time admiring the one hundred year old magnolia grandiflora and pear tree you cannot help but feel relaxed. To the side of the house off the bedrooms French doors lead to a wisteria covered pergola, a perfect place to relax with a book of just be. If that’s not enough you can wander off to talk with three handsome and inquisitive llamas or stroll down to the organic veggie patch to pick fresh leaves of spinach, butter lettuce or herbs for dinner, then return home through the avenue of flowering hydrangeas, perfumed gardenia, roses and fragrant rosemary and sage bushes. I think everyone should have a beautiful sunny garden like this to relax in, it is so peaceful. In the evening I loved gathering together on the verandah with my family whilst cooking pizza in the wood fired oven and waiting for the resident wombat to come wandering out from under the house. Both the pizza oven and the wombat were an absolute highlight for all of us. I think you can probably tell how mesmerized and happy I was at The White House. You can learn more about this beautiful home here.
The White House, Milton
The wombat sneaking out at dusk
The wisteria covered pergola, The White House, Milton
Things to do in and around Milton.
Dine out for breakfast or lunch at Milk Haus, Woodstock or grab a coffee and some fresh bread and a pastry at Flour Water Salt bakery in Milton. Head to Small Town, Milton for an exquisite degustation dinner prepared with seasonal local produce and served with local boutique wines, or to Dangerous Ales at The Milton Hotel for up market pub food, a cold craft beer, a casual friendly vibe and distant views to the coastline. Harvest Bar is the perfect choice for a cocktail, tapas and listening to some beats. A wine and cheese tasting relaxing in the garden of Cupitts Boutique Winery is a great way to while away an afternoon. On the way home be sure to call in to the Woodstock Chocolate Co to see the artisans at work making delicious Turkish delight, dark chocolate coated figs, chocolate nut clusters and honeycomb. You won’t be disappointed.
If you’re feeling energetic take a short drive and climb to the top of Pigeon House Mountain to enjoy great views over the valleys below. Afterwards you could go swimming at picturesque Mollymook Beach or go snorkelling at Bogey Hole. Narrawallee Beach is also a lovely beach to stroll along or to take a salty dip in the gentle waves. About a half an hour's drive north of Milton is the breathtakingly beautiful Bendalong Beach flanked to the west by the sand dunes and bushland in a long gentle arc to Manyana Headland at the southern end of the beach. It is a great beach to hide away from the world and fall asleep in the dunes and is also popular for surfing. You can venture north to Huskisson to kayak along the river and explore the turquoise waters of Jervis Bay before enjoying a well earned lunch at the Husky Pub. The white sandy shores of the world renowned Hyams Beach is just a short drive away.
Hike to Pigeon House Mountain
A relaxing Christmas lunch
The week was rounded out enjoying a simple Christmas lunch in the garden with family and friends and playing board games well into the night. We ate Karen Martini’s Roasted citrus salmon with charred fennel and shallot salad, prawn, mango and avocado salad, watermelon and grilled halloumi salad and leg ham carved from the bone. We finished off with macerated berries, vanilla custard, Mexican Christmas cake and then grazed on a selection of local cheeses into the evening whilst playing board games. At the end of the day both our bellies and our hearts were full.
Until next week may your days be both serendipitous and enjoyable.
Eugenia
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