THE LUCK OF THE IRISH

One of our favourite Wellington publicans is due to become a dad. Dermot Murphy is as Irish as you can get and we were well entertained by his Irish lilt today at lunch. Now he is quite excited by the prospect of becoming a father. However he is even more excited by the prospect that his baby is due to be born on St Patricks Day.

Dermot is the owner of D4, the Establishment and Chicago. And it seems that Chicago is one of the waterfront venues which we be a " place to be" come the Rugby World Cup.

Dermot is young, works hard and knows the hospitality trade well. He is the type of young entrepreneur we need more of in NZ.

Interestingly we were talking to another Restaurateur today who is a little sceptical of the increase in trade that the Rugby World Cup is expected to bring.

While the Wellington waterfront bars did a roaring trade on the back of the Rugby Sevens the top end bars did not fair so well. Seems pies and chips are the order of the day for the young rugby crowd. So there is some concern that the RWC spin off may largely be limited to some big bars.

We hope that is not the case and there is a vast difference between the Rugby sevens - youngish crowd and the Rugby Union fans. We remember the Lions tour and there was a huge range of people from those who toured the country in Helicopters to the Welsh village postie we met who saved five years to visit NZ and was pretty much limiting his eating and drinking spend to $50 a day.

So we are hopeful that there will be enough fans who like fine dining to keep the Wellington restaurants rocking during the tournament.

Bring it on.

SATURDAY ROUND UP

SEVENS
We had a great day at the sevens. It was good to catch up with people we hadn't seen for a while. the crowd heaved with good humour and the lengths that some people go to to dress up is mind boggling.
DOCKSIDE
We had a very average lunch at the Dockside choosing pork belly which should be all sticky and moist and gooey and melty but it was dry and bordering on cold and the potatoes were overcooked as well. However the company was great.
BACK TO THE SEVENS
But Dockside was the place to be to watch the crowds migrate their way to the stadium along the waterfront. Arabs and tutus seemed to dominate. The Loaded Hog was pulsing with hundreds of people enjoying the great weather and the costumes. It is staggering to see the number of normally staid men dress up as women. Sadly, the fun police were out in force at the Stadium removing all helmets and plastic swords, and a few other bits and pieces. We also think that just about every bar and restaurant was surcharge free. That raises a very interesting point - if it was good enough for all bars and restaurants not to charge it why the hell did the Stadium continue to charge it? ? What did happen was the people were tanking up on the way to the stadium so they didn't spend much while they were there.

WAITANGI
John Key showed that one of his finest attributes is his ability to think on his feet and judge the moment. After being jostled by protestors - he then adopts a couple of kids and tells the crowd that the future is all about them. It was a wonderful gesture, from the heart that will be the enduring memory for many at Waitangi.
We have talked to many Maori and everyone is just simply ashamed at what happened. It was also very unexpected. Everyone was very relaxed about this Waitangi day so the protestors came out of left field.

ITS A HOLIDAY

We are still appalled at what happened at Waitangi to the PM. We have never condoned the personalised violence that seems to marr a day that should bring us altogether as one nation.

Anyway - Key says he will be back next year - good.



Anyway we are off to the Sevens. She'll be a good day - one in the Box. A bit of conspicious consumption and all that. Toodle Pip.