FIRST BLOG

Hi all!

As you can tell, I have arrived safely and still in one piece! I currently do not have a lot to tell you all, as only been here two days, but I’ll do my best to fill you in on everything
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..well the flight was good, not too bad. Apart from the worst possible scenario for the first leg (12hrs to LA), was sat next to two great fatties!! They were big, but thankfully didn’t smell, however made it a little difficult to go the loo so hence I made sure I didn’t drink too much. But they were pleasant enough and got off at LA so had two new peeps for the following 13hrs. Overall, wasn’t a bad flight, but was getting a little restless for the last 5hours of the flight
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.anyways, Jules and her mum picked me up from the airport and then drove us back to Jules’ new apartment in Hamilton just over an hour from Auckland airport, so not too bad. Her and her boyfriend, Andy (who is very sweet, shy, tall and skinny) only moved in December 30th, so I literally am the first house guest!! The apartment is very nice, ground floor open plan reception kitchen area, upstairs loo and garage. Downstairs is the main bathroom, with shower, and two bedrooms oh and a little terraced back garden.
The flat is about a 15minute walk from where the restaurant is, near the main high street bit, so it can easily be walked which is quite nice as it means I can come and go wherever and whenever – oh and mummy, just in case you worry about me walking on my own etc. NZ is very safe; if there is a crime of any sort they are publicized across the national news, not just local news as it is so rare. Oh and forgot to say that they have a little 10week old kitten called ‘Pinot Norris’ after Pinot Noir julia’s fav wine and the legend chuck Norris! Very sweet little grey tabby but highly active and wild streak in him, constantly jumping around and pouncing on your feet everytime you come round a corner. But no way as cute as Dukey!!

..The restaurant, used to be Balcony Restaurant and they have now renamed it ‘One ZB Premium Restaurant Champagne and Wine Bar’, quite a mouthful I know, but think it will mainly be known as ‘One ZB Premium Restaurant’ which is a bit easier on the tongue. However I will take some pics today and put them on the web for you guys to look at, although its not quite finished so maybe I’ll do it tomorrow when everything is laid up for service and opening. Luckily its not he official opening, that is on Feb 2nd, so if things go t*** up its not a major panic. We were going to open today, but there is still so much to do, that they just postponed it for a day.
Anyway, it is really nice. Seats prob around 60-80 covers. Has lovely high ceilings, a small bar area and 3 booth type seating areas and then a large open plan dining area, outside terrace (half covered, half open) so all in all it should suit all people. Am actually slightly jealous as despite the hard work involved, am actually enjoying the whole aspect of opening a restaurant etc, but don’t worry not getting any ideas yet, although thinking about it!! Haha
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.Think that’s about it, oh yeah weather a little eratic but still nice. Today is going to be muggy/sticky with showers on and off but temps of around 24C so combine that with drizzle, rain and lack of wind and you get the picture. However, becoz of the large amount of rain they’ve had recently everything is still very green and lush and pretty.
Not sure what I was expecting before I arrived, but the main street is very similar in style and layout to America. Large, low storey buildings/shops, wide roads and mixtures of cultures etc. Does feel quite American and looks it, but still different and I’m sure I’ll change my mind when I visit other places

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Julia’s sister and a friend arrive on Sunday, so I think I will wait until sometime next week before I plan my first travel hopping period, as it may work out that they too want to travel a bit and we can all go together, plus in no rush being kept busy at the restaurant DIYing etc so its all good
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..Well, I better go now as everyone’s starting at 10am this morning (15mins) and it’ll prob be a late one making sure everything is ready for tomo, but I will be in touch soon. Remember I’m 11hours ahead of you, so if you wanna chat on msn either drop me an email or txt and we can arrange a time – currently no web cams at the moment (soz mum). Please keep me all updated on whats happening in your lives, and missing you all.

Lots of love

Kates xxxxxxx