The Big Apple

We were invited to New York to visit friends we used to go to school with. What a great opportunity to catch up and go for an adventure. He is our daughter's Godfather, so we really think he's great. His new partner is lovely and, even though they are high powered CEOs in international companies, he grew up a neighbour and appreciates that we are more than just country mice.

We stayed right in Washington Square. Greenwich Village is charming, right in the midst of NYU, lots of restaurants and live music.

At night there was even music under the Washington Arch.

One of my favourite stops was the New York Public Library. I was there a few years ago (the Rose Reading Room is still closed), but I was drawn to it.

In the children's area they have the lovely lion in Lego!

And the actual Winnie the Pooh and friends. This is so exciting because these were some of the first books I read, even before I went to school. My big sisters loved Pooh, too, so I had lots of chances to read and listen to the stories and poems.

We walked everywhere! There was subway travel too, but lots of walking in over 38 degree and humid weather. The Flatiron building is so cool. We were home and safe before the bomb went off.

Walked across the Brooklyn Bridge with many others. It was pretty exciting.

The view of Manhattan is stunning.

It was September 11, so we went to the memorial at Ground Zero. The official programs were over, but there were still lots of people.

The new tower is stunning. We rode to the top of it later and saw all around.

We enjoyed stopping at Central Park. One day we went to the west side and the Museum of Natural History.

Just as advertised in my son's favourite cartoon.

The Statten Island Ferry was very cool. Just 25 minutes one way. We got right on and took pictures.

Then we got back on a return ferry.

On the east side of Central Park is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. D Liked the mummies.

I liked one of the first things I saw, a Roman lion.

We had dinner out and especially enjoyed this Italian restaurant by Mario Batali. We were  treated like locals and encouraged to relax.

Some of our souvenirs. We didn't do much shopping. It was great to see live jazz and explore such a dynamic city. There was very little knitting. We look forward to returning in a few years to visit our friends again.