In a New York State of Mind...

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We had a reservation at The Steak House at Grand Central Station and at ten to seven we were just getting in the lift at our 9th floor apartment to hail a taxi when Jackie decide she needs a wardrobe change ... well change her white cardigan to a matching black one Martin gave her loads of grief as he always does and when she was changed and in the lift he told her the white was better....poor Jackie to everyone else she is a Princess but Martin keeps her well grounded.

We arrived just in time and the Maitre d'Hotel welcomed us with a specially reserved table overlooking the station. The setting was very grand and the fillet mignon was superb, if more than a little expensive at $60 each. I was looking forward to it although I was a little disappointed if I'm honest it wasn't for me. .. I thought it would be more fun and themed ... They did make Martin a little birthday desert. We headed back and had an early night as we were all really tired think jet lag had got to us all.

Up for waffles..Jackie mad me breakfast!! we set off early all prepared for another stonking hot day. I had to go and buy a hat so I didn't get sunstroke and I felt a right idiot in it... Jackie chose one for Martin and I think it suits him although he is clearly not used to wearing a baseball cap... I do find him strangely attractive in it... in a sort of uniform way...lol (he doesn't know that)..shhhh

Mike had all his tour plans laid out (he reminds me of Akela with his maps and tickets and he takes us everywhere... ) ..good job we didn't leave it to Jackie as she wouldn't have a clue I swear if we lost her she wouldn't know where she is staying as she always has Mike to arrange everything...I am wondering if she has a plan.. get lost...ask NYPD Officer..get ride home in a Police Car?... mission accomplished...!!! mmmm

Today she was prepared for the heat and had her fanny pack on..sunglasses camera bag strapped to her belt..she was sorted she wasn't getting caught out today.. thing is she looked like Inspector Gadget!....

We took the our bus to the pier and took a water taxi to Battery Pier for our tour of Ground Zero. I haven't really got anything to say about it as it wan't what I had expected... The two square pools each in the footprints of the original towers list the names of those who died carved around on the edges. The water like regimented raindrop fountains descend down from each wall into a centre space where the raindrops pool and fall away into the deep recess gone like the souls of those loved and lost. It's moving and thought provoking. A single white rose was placed against the name of a lady who would have had her birthday that day, they do that for each one of those remembered. God Bless them all...

Stopped for lunch before our next excursion... The Statue of Liberty

We came out to a thunderstorm... (not so smug now Gadget... ).... we all got soaked but it was so humid and warm the rain is sort of refreshing... quick run out on the water taxi to view the statue.. I was paying attention and here's the proof..her index finger is 8 feet long, each eye is 24 inches across and her face was modelled on the artists Mother,, her arms on his Wife ...and her body ... his Mistress!! The gift as we all know was from the French but according to the tour guide..they delivered it 8 years late in pieces and the Americans were expected to build it themselves and they nearly sent it back. Her outer structure is made from copper only as thick as two pennies and her inner structure designed by Eiffel (as in the Tower)

We stopped at a dunkin donuts to have with a nice cup of coffee back at the hotel.

Tonight we are heading for dinner at Ellen's Stardust restaurant...if JM&M get out of bed... they are all having a siesta!...

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Photos

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Jackie's cookie desert... and she ate it all

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aw love this