Sticky date pudding with toffee sauce

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup (240g) chopped dried dates
• 1 1/4 cup (310ml) water
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 125 gram butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 cup (200g) firmly packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/4 cup (185g) self-raising flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped pecans
• Toffee sauce
• 375 millilitre water
• 1 1/2 cup (330g) sugar
• 2 tablespoon golden syrup
• 30 gram butter
• 1/4 cup (60ml) water, extra