Well, dining at a table next to the former PM, and his wife. Last night we celebrated Amy’s birthday at Pasta e Cuore in Mt Eden. There were six of us, including the three-year old grandson, and they parked us right at the back of the covered garden area. Quite nice, even on a winter’s night, with heating of course.
We were part way through our entree when John and Bronwyn were shown in unceremoniously and parked at the table for two separating us from the rest of the restaurant. Laura noticed, pointed out who it was to the rest of us, and we got on with our dinner.
It is a remarkable and unique feature of NZ that no one bats an eye-lid at the presence of a famous person. No one stares, rushes up to say hello, or ever does anything more than give a nod or a smile. Mostly not even that. Where I live in Grey Lynn the place is littered with local radio and tv personalities. They shop at Richmond Rd and Williamson Ave Countdowns, and stand in the queue indifferently with the rest of us. It is not uncommon to stumble across actual Hollywood stars in the bars and restaurants around town. Apart from the time our friend Mark stalked Rachel Hunter on the Waiheke ferry, they are largely safe from fans and passersby alike.
Certainly, we did not get too excited last night. Nor did anyone else in the restaurant, and the waiter offered no special service. The Keys were not bothered either by adulation or comparisons to Jacinda. I notice that my son-in-law did ramp up his demonstrations of my grandson’s bilingual, and even trilingual abilities, but unsurprisingly we did not provoke anything more than a glance from the neighbouring table.
Nice night though.