Author: simon

We’re back. Just over 12 hours door to door, and the upgrade to Premium Economy made an enormous difference – I even slept for half an hour. Walked into the house at 8.00.

Still can’t believe the number of BA flights from JFK to Heathrow – here’s a sample, and they were all full.

Anyway, what a wonderful Xmas – so many highlights (especially coffee – thanks Jo) and the only real negative was Eileen’s cough in the first week – and copious amounts of medication and open windows got it more under control.

And Central Park was looking magical on our final day. It was -9 first thing, and about -5 mid morning.

And a red-tailed hawk just chilling – literally!

Not quite up to the forecast of 8 inches, but Central Park looked fantastic

The snow plough even stopped so I could take his photo

And plenty more

Well we just had the best time. After Jo and Hannah hosted on Christmas Eve we were invited to Joe’s (very large, extended) family for Christmas afternoon.

Especially baby Mark

and Joe’s mum

Boxing Day

What to do on our last couple of days before we head home?

Firstly check the weather forecast

So far (late Friday) it has been accurate – inasmuch as the temperature has plummeted to about minus 6.

Anyway, having ticked off the Met, MoMA and the Whitney, the Guggenheim was a good choice. A brisk 40 minute bracing walk across Central Park and a really good couple of hours.

And back to Jo’s fabulous apartment.

A great start to the day – Hannah is off to Costa Rica tomorrow and heavy snow is forecast to pass through NYC in the afternoon when she is scheduled to leave. Some stress, and then teamwork with Jo, managed to book an earlier flight and save a few hundred dollars in the process. Happy days.

and here’s dessert

And here’s Jo and Hannah on a Christmas Day run

Fame – we got a brief mention in the Independent…

Spent a decent chunk of the day at MoMA – which was heaving and even though we think we were there only 18 months ago we couldn’t remember it!

Then to see Operation Mincemeat on Broadway – fantastic show and a brilliant evening.

And to get back to the subway we had to walk through a very buzzy Times Square which we all (especially Eileen) loved.

Met Joe’s mum (Antoinette) and younger sister (Olivia) – was really nice to see them.

And just occasionally we got ourselves in front of stunning New York views …

Jo’s back from New Orleans.

And New York is still very photogenic

Loving New York weather – you saw the snow over the past couple of days. Today a storm passed through and the temperature hit 14 degrees – then it went back down to 3.

Anyway, a good day for the Met. Again, loved the tours which only last an hour and give an introduction to almost anything you can think of – Chinese Art was our choice.

Here’s a Chinese garden to remind us, although much of the talk was about art and hieroglyphics.

And the Met’s Christmas Tree

And enjoyed the bus ride back up Madison Avenue.

Weather is just about perfect at the moment – crisp and sunny, although we think there’s a storm coming. And it makes New York even more photogenic, so lots of pics.

And a quick update from New Orleans ..

Then down to the Whitney Museum.

and a walk and. Sit on the beach!