day sixteen - saturday in pictures

The weather was perfect. Michael and I caught the subway at 9.30 to head off to meet Hans at the start of the Highline Walk. Timing wa sperfect and it was so good to see The Cheerful Flying Dutchman again.

The Highline was busy. It is an our railway line that ran from the meat packing district to the harbor. Chris told me that he did the walk years ago when the line was still all bare and the place was a mess covered in weeds. What great use they have made of this area.

Plants everywhere

Music videos being filmed

Some shady parts

Graffiti wire art

Views into the city down each avenue

Michael and Jenny were there

We walked the entire walk and then headed down 34th Street into town. Hans bought us lunch

A delicious turkey wrap for me and a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich for Michael 

Hans suggested having our lunch in Bryant Park. Would we refuse?

Being the weekend, and a beautiful day, girls were on the lawns in bikinis, there was a juggling convention showing their skills on the lawn and the tables were filled with people enjoying their lunches in this beautiful park.

We had arranged to meet the girls at the ferry to Governors Island, where we were going to have a look at Jon's art studio (Jon is married to Joanna and we are staying with them).

The ferry pulls out of the dock

There were tall ships and cruise boats

Did I mention that Hans is in New York?

How about this for a view from the studio?

Unfortunately, the pictures of his work are all on my camera so you will have to wait to see them. This is the first book of his works. Amazing stuff

We took a walk around the island. So many trees, lawns, play areas for children and two forts, much like the castle in Cape Town. There was a poetry event going on and i stopped briefly to listen to a young girl reading a couple of her poems in a most emotional and moving way. Pretty hectic.

The City in the distance. It is only a five minute ferry ride across the water

View from the island

We caught the 5 o'clock ferry back and stopped off close to Wall Street for a much needed drink

In this awesome old  lane with cobbled street and those old buildings with exposed fire escapes. 

and fairy lights high above the tables 

We could have hung around there forever

but we had a dinner date with Joanna and Jon and the one round of 4 pints and a cider and the 20% American tip put Michael back R633, so we had to say goodbye

Heading for the subway at just after 6, the light on the buildings was amazing

We said goodbye to Hans and headed back to Brooklyn. The two J's had prepared an amazing meal, we had bought some beers and wine (a very acceptable Chilean SB on the 'cheap and cheerful' table at the bottle store for the not so cheap price of R172). The others were drinking gin and tonics and beers, so when I tiptoe through to the kitchen, I am going to have to take a peek in the fridge and see just how much of the wine I had enjoyed. It was a great evening with lots of laughs and Jon conducting some very in depth interviews with multiple choice questions on everyone's relationships. A great day all round.

Oops...

This morning we are going to meet friends of my brother, Andrew and Henriette, in Central Park. They live in New York and have two daughters who I have not yet met. Then it is to Broadway to see An American in Paris. George Gerswin music, dancing and some of my father's favourite songs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/13/theater/review-an-american-in-paris-a-romance-of-song-and-step.html?_r=0

Caroline, Jaye and Joanna are also off to see a show and then we are having supper with Chris, Jaye and Theo tonight.

It is a bit early to make a noise in the shower but I am restless and cannot believe that we leave New York tomorrow afternoon. Michael lies silently asleep beside me. How does he do it?

Sending love and hugs from New York