Tuesday 9th October 2018 Iupdated)

On Monday evening I got a message from a contact on Flickr saying she worked near to the Flatiron Building, and would we like to meet? We would, but it turned out that technical issues with Jools’ new mobile, and whatever meant that once we left the hotel room, we could not make contact with her, so we said we would be out front of the Flatiron at three, hope to see her there.

She had recommended that we visit the Oculus at the World Trade Center, a huge white egg-shaped building, which is a transport hub, and is very photogenic.

We left the hotel and walked down to the 24 hour diner, had breakfast; then walked to the subway station and boarded a southbound train to the new WTC station.

Turns out Diane was right, the building is huge, pure white and supported by ribs like some kind of monster’s skeleton. I am trying to describe it, but really, words fail me on this. At either end there were ergonomically designed stairways that looked amazing.

From the station, it was special, with philosophical texts, or so it seemed to me, on the walls of the station, then up though some doors.

Hard to explain, but from the inside it looked like some kind of spaceship, all ergonomic shapes and curves, balconies and viewing platforms, the size of it was mindboggling. We went up a series of four escalators to the highest viewing point, took more shots, our minds biggled some more. We went outside, and were dazzled by the ring of huge buildings, including the new Freedom Tower. On the ground in front of us was an artisan market, that we did not look at. From the outside, there were ribs, struts and arches in all directions, all hard to take in to be honest. We sat down on a low windowsill to marvel at the surrounds of more skyscrapers, including the new WTC. Some of the buildings looked a hundred years old or close, and using the zoom on the compact camera, I could see the details of carvings and statues on them.

We walked round the building, back inside to look for the subway station to take us to Midtown, but the signs took us on a long route, coming to another new part of the interchange, and another stunning piece of building design.

We stopped to take more pictures, obviously.

We took a train north, getting off near to Central Park, emerging back into the daylight at the corner of the park, where a dozen folks suggested that the park was so big we should consider taking a rickshaw or a carriage. We declined and went to walk on our own. They just did not believe that we would prefer to just walk, and not see everything. I mean, just to wander for the enjoyment of it. Who knew?

The park is something for everyone; a park, sports arena, exercise gym, wildlife sanctuary, quiet space. And so on. We only explored the southern part of it, and only a couple of hundred metres in, people are jogging, walking, playing tennis. Ir just ambling, like us.

We wander heading across the park, stopping to look at wildlife when we saw it, grackles, starlings, sparrows, butterflies and squirrels.

I had a plan, to walk down 5th Avenue to be at the Flatiron to meet Diane. Simples. I suppose its about 30 or so blocks, which didn’t sound so bad. But, upper 5th Avenue is lined with designer shops, all with no customers, but the sidewalks jammed with people made walking a real struggle. I have no idea why people frequent designer shops, only to show off to others that they are stupid enough and can afford to. And there was block after block of the things, and outside the sidewalk was crowded, but inside, empty.

We passed Trump Tower or shit central as I renamed it. Down and down we walked, hot and bothered and very footsore. We stop at the cathedral, but there was a service on: I grab a couple of shots before we walk back outside again..

Down one of the side streets I saw a pub. They’re pubs not bars now, anyway, we go in get a table and have lunch. Nachos with chili for me, and a glass of Hoegaarden, which hit the spot.

It is always fun to people watch, and especially guess the story of the Russian couple sitting on the next table.

Once we had eaten and drunk well of beer, Coke and water, we went back onto 5th Avenue and carried on south. But we made good time, and we were soon passing Empire State Building, so from there it was just a handful of blocks to our destination, and we arrived with nearly an hour to spare.

We sat in Madison Park for a while, then went out to the front of the Flatiron to wait.

Three came and went, so I went to look at people waiting, and after a while saw a lady with a DSLR and large lens attached, she was waiting at a table: Diane I asked. It was.

After introductions and confirmations that we had met the right person, we went back over to meet with Jools, then walk up to a Belgian bar for a brew and to talk. And talk. We found a Belgian bar on Madison Square, and we got a seat outside, so able to look at the world passing by as we drank. And best of all, they had my favourite beer, Tripel Karmeliet. It was so nice, I have a second, that the waitress tried to tall me it was the same size as the previous, but was clearly twice as big. I did not complain.

Time flew, I guess we were there a couple of hours, but we had one final appointment, that is to snap Manhattan from the ferry in the blue hour. So, we bid Diane farewell, and we walked west to the subway station to catch another train back to South Ferry. We walk westwards towards the 23rd Street Station, over about 5 blocks, past various shops and eateries, looking very much more New York than we had seen thus far.

We get on a train, and find the carriage we were on had no air con, and was roasting, but we had seats, so decided to stay for the three stops to South Ferry. We arrive at just gone 5, and with ferries departing every 15 minutes, we had to time our trip to ensure the sun had set and there was still light in the sky. We waited at the waterfront, watching the sun set behind the distant Statue of Liberty.

We walk to the small park overlooking the junction of the East River and Hudson with the Statue of Liberty in the distance. The sun was still quite high in the sky, so we relax and take a seat looking at families walking along the waterside, and people fishing. I had to decide which sailing we would take, to get the moment just after sunset on the way out, and it not quite dark on the way back. At the last minute I decide we needed to be on the six o’clock sailing, with that having docked, we had to rush to the terminal, but get on and take up position at the railings on the starboard side as it had the best views.

The sun was setting, casting stunning light on Manhattan, I took many shots until the scene went out of view as we sailed further out into the Hudson River.

The sun set red and angry behind the Jersey shore, and made for more great shots. But already thoughts were on whether we could catch the next ferry back.

The ferry docked, and we rushed round to board it, and at least with a return sailing at this time of the day meant the ferry was almost empty. But then we’re all photographers now, so the railings on the port side were pretty packed, but mostly with people who only seemed to be looking to take what I believe are called "selfies"..

We had timed it perfectly, as once we neared the City again, there was some light in the sky, and the skyscrapers were all lit up. It was magical really, just the shots I wanted to take. I rattled off dozens of shots, as did Jools on her new phone.

Soon enough we were back on land.

We caught a train north to Chambers Street, getting off to find the place we ate at the first night we were in the city. We found it, and they had a table. The waitress even recognised us as she took our order. We had ribs and corn again, and was just as good, as we waited I took in the atmosphere of watching the game in New York as the Yankees were preparing to save their season against the Red Sox.

We had eaten after two innings, with the score still at zeros.

I say we should make tracks now, so I could watch the conclusion in our room. It is half an hour walk to the hotel, but our feet now knew the way, so we stumbled down darkened streets and convenience stores all lit up like Christmas.

When we got back, the Sox were 3-0 up, and score a forth with a homer. I lay on the bed watching the game, and nearly did it, but slipped into sleep in the middle of the 9th, thus missing out on the climax of the game. It would be morning before I found out the Sox held on to win 4-3.

Tomorrow, we are off to Boston on the train. Exciting stuff.