New York continues…

Friday 26th November 2021

A last minute change of plans for today, James texts and asks us to pick up cream cheese, lox (smoked salmon) onion and tomato, they will pick up fresh bagels. We walk over to their place where we are to drive to old friend Craig Pogson’s home in Piedmont. A crazy 40 minute drive, far too fast for me, but the scenery was beautiful, trees still hanging on to fabulous coloured leaves as we drive up the coast along the Hudson River. A few gorgeous expensive looking houses along the way. Sadly Craig’s wife was at work but we met his beautiful boys Alexander & Logan and mother in law. It was a so good to catch up with the mad boy Craig who was another of James friends from Gleneagles days…and La Goulue restaurant. His house is built into the side of the shore with breathtaking views of the Hudson. My photos don’t do it justice. A couple of fun hours later we returned to the city. James drops us off at the hotel, thank goodness my feet are having a rest today. We finalise the paperwork for our return flight, start to pack our cases, thankfully I can get all the gifts in that Leslie has given me to deliver back home…. Tonight we are dining at Majorelle on the east side. It’s best bib and tucker for our final meal with Leslie, James and Alexander before we take our flight home tomorrow night. Where on earth has this week gone it’s just flown…

We meet at Majorelle restaurant at 7pm. It’s a beautiful restaurant and one of the best in New York. We have amazing food and wine, lots of laughs, don’t know where the night went but the next thing I know I’m in our hotel and looking at the overpacked cases! Bed 12 midnight.

Saturday 27th November. 2c our last day….

It’s a bright day. Roger walks over to James apartment to watch the Norwich v Wolves match. He thinks it’s crazy that he can watch the game on American TV but not in the UK !!!

I stayed at the hotel, getting ready for the trip home, finalising the packing. Really worried my cases won’t stand the weight and not sure I’m going to enjoy the train home lugging them about.

At 12.00 noon. I check out of our room and store our luggage with the bell boy. Roger arrives back from James’s and we walk a few blocks to the Benoit Bistro for our final lunch of the trip. With us for lunch are Leslie, James, Alexander and dear friends singer/composer David Raleigh (Spotify or Apple Music) and his new hubby Rick. David & Rick got married after 20 odd years together at a star studded wedding ceremony in New York this October. Delayed for a year we sadly couldn’t get there as we were not allowed to travel to the USA in October. We watched the wedding on live stream which was great. It was a black tie event and extremely glamorous. Guests included Billy Porter, (I am a huge fan of his ) the mistress of ceremony was Ronda Ross daughter of Diana Ross. We arrived early at the restaurant very keen to meet up with the boys as I love these two – they came to Norwich and David performed at Joolia & Gary’s wedding 20 odd years ago. The boys arrived bringing me beautiful yellow roses. A great lunch, lots of laughs ( and Vino) over far too quickly. Our car was picking us up for the airport at 3.15 so we had to say our goodbyes to David & Rick and family, very emotional good bye especially the hug from my grandson who tried to lift me up with his hug. We rushed back to the hotel but our car didn’t turn up so hailed a cab and we still made it to the airport on time. As I lined up to put my bits on the conveyor belt for x ray security a very attractive lady appeared from the 1st & Club quick track and to my amazement it was Dame Anna Winatour, that recognisable hair cut, very chic, to think she is only a year younger than me she wear a beautiful pair of very high heeled boots, something I gave up years ago… she looks great. JFK’s Terminal 7 is smaller, not as great for shopping as the London terminal 5 and the shops that there are were unmanned today and roped off. Due to lack of staff maybe…( ha ha Roger got there first). So we were forced to sit at the bar and have another drink!!!Was a good idea as seats were in short demand and the flight was delayed 45 minutes. Eventually we were called row number by row and took our seats. It seems the new norm on BA now they board you in row numbers starting at the back and after landing they ask you to remain seated with seat belts until they call your row numbers. Really great idea – no barging as you exit the plane….The flight was short (6 hours) and it wasn’t long before we were woken for breakfast, just as I fell asleep. Landed just after 8 am GMT. Arrivals was, as expected, extremely busy but the lines moved relatively quickly and we got through immigration in under an hour. We collected the luggage and made our way to the train platform and took the Heathrow express to Paddington station. Then took a quick tube ride on the circle line to Liverpool Street in time for the 10.30am train home to Norwich. I was exhausted by now and not sure where Roger got the strength to keep lifting our cases. Back in Norwich we arrive home to a very warm welcome, my sister Celia and one of her grand dogs Leo, the whippet, made the trip complete. I unpacked got a couple of loads of washing on, mostly Roger’s socks,undies & shirts, I don’t know anyone who wears so many !!! Celia had been to Archer’s the Butchers and picked up a loin of pork. We cooked a roast and settled down to a film and tried to stay awake. Eventually giving in at 9.30pm.