Time Machine restore Files Missing

QUESTION:
Why won't my Time Machine backup restore properly?
FACTS:
I have done a fresh reinstall of the OS onto a new hard drive.
I have then used the Time Machine to restore the files. It takes about 2 hours to goes through 60GB of data.
The new hard drive is has 50GB Available out of 120GB. Indicating that the restore files are somewhere on the Hard Disk.
After reboot, I cannot see any of the restored files in my login. Just the basic Applications.etc
After restore I have folders
System 6.5gb
Library  2.4GB
Applications 1.1GB
Documents 584MB!!
Applications (Empty!!)
Downloads (Empty!!)
Movies (Empty!!)
Music  (Empty!!)
Pictures (Empty!!)
Public (Empty!!)
Sites (Empty!!)
Some of my important Applications are missing such as Photoshop,  Entourage and Microsoft Office.
The Documents folder in the Time Machine is over 30GB!!
My Music Folder in the Time Machine is about 16GB!!
COULD IT BE THIS?
1
Something to do with the User Accounts (Login).
I had to create this login before I applied Time Machine.
I believe I used exactly the same password and name for it, but could the OS be deciding that it is a new User and nbot allowing access to the Time Machine?
2
Whatever the reason: Can anyone think of a work around?
I havn't done any new work on the machine yet, so I am happy to start over and install the OS again and then Time Machine - if I needed to be done  in a different order.

Progress...
I held down the (Option) Alt Key and it gave me the OS install as well as the Hard Disk.
It is booting off the OS-USB
I know this is going to allow me to reinstall the OS again.
OK During installation it gives me Restore option
Top Menu>Utilities>Restore System from Backup...  (Time Machine Symbol)
OK PROBLEM - It is looking for the Time Machine Backup, but I need to remove the USB drive so I can plug that TM disk in!!! The macbook Air only has one USB socket.
Ive carefully unplugged the USB and plugged the TM disk in.
To refresh I done "(Go Back)"
Now "(Continue)"
The Rainbow spinner is rotating... Obviously it is looking tfor the next bit of code on the USB which is now unplugged!!!
Ive put the USB back it - but the spinner continues
I'm stuck again

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    Message was edited by: metzen79

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