Well, I suppose it's goodbye

This lovely diner is just around the corner ... I think it was famous once. And on that note, Alycat and I will see you all very soon.

That reminds me, I'll probably have to lose a few pounds when I get home ...

We'll miss you Chelsea Square Diner

Had my last breakfast at the beloved Chelsea Square diner this morning. A Swiss cheese omelette, fried potatoes, buttered toast, OJ and a bottomless mug of coffee. Alycat couldn't get away from a Glen Ford, Lea Remmick thriller on the 24 hour classic movie channel. She would later pick up a BLT and coffee 'to go' on our way to see a very tall lady who lives on a very small island. It snowed over night so I wont go into too much detail about how freezing it was to be out in a boat on the water. Perhaps over time Alycat will bring herself to forgive me for suggesting such lunacy.

View at the top

One day the icy wind tried to take my breath away, but it had already been taken ... by the view at the top of a marvellous building. I dared to take my hands out of my gorilla gloves to take these pictures as proof that it wasn't a dream. Alycat was unable to be my witness, she was washing her hair at the time. 

A walk in washington square park

Besides a lot of dog walking, there was children chasing (by their parents, because they didn't want to go home yet); elderly people pushing ... in wheelchairs by the able bodied; piano playing; and there were multiple santas, leaning rather than walking.

I walked the high line

Today Alycat and I split up - she went thata way, and I went to ... the high line (stopping off at Chelsea Market on the way). It was one of the best days so far (sorry it was without you Alycat). And it wasn't so cold, being out-of-doors. I saw for the first time the statue they call liberty, over the water in the distance.

Did I mention the Flatiron building is at the end of our street ...

More Met Moments ...

Thought I'd share a few of my favourite pictures. The first one is, of course, Alycat - stunned at all the beauty. I almost had to carry her out of the place, she was so overwhelmed. The second one is by Carravaggio, and the third is an exquisite Ingre.

We met at the met

There's a huge house on the edge of a huge forest, where everything in it is huge. Me and Alycat  are going there this morning (if i can get her out of her warm bed). I've had a peak at the forest but today we'll be brave and venture inside. I hope we don't meet the Big Bad Wolf.


Yesterday Alycat and I mistakenly caught a very naughty bus which took us around to some very naughty shops, bars and other interesting places (I told Alycat to cover her eyes when we were in one particular shop but she wouldn't). 


On Tuesday we had a very special dinner and made a toast to a very special friend. The restaurant has a wonderful banquet room. 

I want to live here

As soon as we walked in, we felt right at home ...

I tell you, lullamay is a bad influence ...

Shoes and the city

Alycat found the shoes of her dreams ...

A date with peggy ...

Yesterday I had a date with Peggy and her dad in 5th Avenue - right across the road from a still autumnal Central Park. (It was snowing the other other morning when Alycat and I were having breakfast. I looked out the window and there it was! It's so f@#&ing freezing here!) Anyway, Peggy and her dad have a lot of beautiful paintings. Here's a picture of the wonderful dome that floods the foyer with natural light. (They wouldn't let me take photos of the art works, so you'll have to see them for yourself.)

I'm calling this Having a MOMA moment ...

What can I say ...

To Hell and back ...

It's not the kind of weather to be haggling over merchandise in an out-of-doors market. Brrrrrrr! Better to pop into the nearest cosy cafe for brunch. That was this (Sunday) morning. I've never eaten a brie and asparagus omelette before. Nice. Alycat decided to try the Chelsea Square 24 hour diner down the street from where we're staying. I met her there afterwards, before we headed off to Soho for a sightsee. What a gem - think Pellegrino's. I haven't paid $1.50 for a mug of coffee in a very long time. I'm definitely going there for a smoked salmon bagel this week. The mode of transport of choice so far has been our own little feet and those terribly convenient yellow cabs. So easy to hail! 

There are lots of shops here ...

It was a crisp sunny day yesterday and Alycat and I - all rugged up against the chilly breeze - set off early, walking. Our feet took us down west 23rd street, and left into Madison Avenue and then into 5th Avenue, where we walked and walked. Passed a very famous tall building (which looked a bit grey and ordinary from ground level) past the city library, until we hit the shops, which must have been calling us all along. And we obeyed. The Christmas windows in the big department stores are spectacular. The famous Christmas tree is so ... elegant! And each time we stop at traffic lights, every language under the sun is being spoken around you! 

Today we visited the upper east side - more elegance: the tree-lined streets, the architecture, the huge train station, the people. And then we travelled down to Soho and the Village, popping into a cosy cafe here and there for a bit of warmth along the way. Alycat was very brave and tried the local food. I wasn't so sure ...

The shops ...

We're here in the Big City!

After a long and hard journey, Alycat and I arrived in the Big City in one piece last night. We had the pleasure of flying with Lilly, who is 83 and an old travel hand from way back. At JFK she managed to get us to the top of a very very long long taxi line, and before we knew it we were bundled into a cab and on our way to our hotel in Chelsea. There were a few dirty looks from the people in the line but you just ignore that, advised Lilly. No one said a word! It's

Thursday morning now (I think!) and we have slept well and and eaten a good breakfast (airline food it to be avoided at all costs). Our adventure begins ...