Headed off to the High Line located in the Meat Packing district today. This is an elevated walking track converted from a dis-used rail. It has gardens, seats, great views and is a real experience. I saw some great architecture and enjoyed seeing the mix of old and new together. Bits of art are interspersed and there was seating and a painted wall where they apparently show movies in Summer - what a great idea! Walked for ages and then put my feet up, put my IPod on and read for a little while sitting on a comfy seat. Very creative and ingeneous and something I really enjoyed. Oh, and tried my first Pretzel. Underwhelmed. In fact, didn't like it at all and threw it away. Very salty and a strange texture but hey, I tried ... read more

Plan for today was for a bit of shopping and perhaps Empire State Building (but weather was very overcast - and cold - so didn't make the Empire State today). Card has taken a bit of a beating though today...lol. Bought the kids something each (can't tell on here as would spoil the surprise - but hope they like what I got them). Sorry girls - didn't find warm gloves or hats today though. Anyway, was thinking about coming back to my hotel room even though hadn't bought myself anything. Huh??! Oh Oh....came across a "Fossil" shop. WhooHoo...bought myself...wait for it...a new watch and a bag. LOVE the bag - very soft leather (love that smell) and its a mustard/yellow colour. Day = a success...lol - especially for someone who doesn't enjoy shopping but its New ... read more

Interesting day! Headed to Midtown for the Harlem and Gospel tour. Organised chaos ...or maybe just chaos. Different tours/buses for different languages, those with or without brunch and no real leadership as far as I could tell. Anyway, eventually found where I needed to be and we headed off to Harlem. Not what I expected to be honest - Harlem has some really beautiful old brownstone buildings and parks. I guess my ignorance was showing. Liked the fact that there was high end buildings and across the road were low income housing. Lots of little common parks too. What can I say about the church service? When we first entered, it was lay preaching/signing which was interesting. Later the choir came in and the Preacher. It was just like on TV I guess, you know, ummm, ... read more

Quiet day today...to recharge my Energiser battery (that's for you Lynda...lol). Brunch in an Irish cafe, relaxing and reading in Theodore Roosevelt park in the afternoon, Nanna nap in my room and then dinner around the corner. Oh, had my first cocktail with dinner...a Cosmo...yum. Early to bed tonight as have to go to church tomorrow morning.....LMAO as can imagine a collective gulp from back home. So, just a short blog tonight.... read more

Had checked the weather and looked good so reserved my helicopter flight over Manhattan. Managed (again!) to use the subway to get to Downtown South Ferry and to find the right Pier that the helicopters operate from. Nerves started to build. Wondered if it would live up to my expectations as this event was high on my 'must do' list and of course is on my Bucket List. Got there way too early (typical I hear the kids groan - so even though managing the subway have no idea of times/distances involved...lol). Lots of security and instructions - but that was good. Had to disclose my weight - shucks - and English guy behind me was in a bit of a pickle cos he didn't know his weight. I giggled and told him that they're not ... read more

Well, up at 3.30am! Packed up and off for a new adventure. Managed both SFO and NYC airports easily (only had to ask questions once at each - so am getting a bit better at this international travel thing...although gotta say its a bit of a chore though). Oh, and thought I would get some cash out at SFO as bout time to top up - and haven't got any since I arrived - and holy crap - went through the whole pin number bit etc only to be told 'bank can't support this transaction'. Oh Oh...no time to do anything about it...just had to sit on a plane for 5 hours and wonder what it meant. Told self not to panic - can use the card for most things...lol...but still need cash on occasion). Anyway, ... read more