Tuesday 31st May. San Diego to New York.

Up, showered and packed we check out of the Staypineapple hotel and catch an Uber a short distance to the airport. We are in good time so grab a coffee bagel each. Through security very promptly as it’s a domestic flight. A wander around this large airport, not particularly crowded but interesting to watch. Our flight is showing at the gate and we are soon on board. During the 6 hour flight again I’m really cold but have remembered being cold on the outgoing flight so dressed warmer but I’m still shivering and sneezing. We land early and as we are fairly near the front of the aircraft, we are off and straight to luggage collection. Sadly this was a bit of a wait, a good 30 minutes or so. When we got outside our booked driver had left with the excuse he got fed up with waiting. We grab a taxi and as it’s late evening the traffic is lighter than the day time and we are at our hotel by. 10.30 pm. After a bit of a debacle about the size of our room, the hotel insist they are full and have nothing larger. Our room is tiny that I understand as it is New York but we have stayed at the Empire many times and been happy. This room has no where to put our two cases or hang any clothes and the bathroom hasn’t anywhere to put toiletries. We are here for 6 more days but I am too tired and hungry to argue further . We cross the road hoping to get a table at the Smith for supper but they have called last orders so has the neighbouring restaurant. We opt for a taco from the all night cart by the hotel. It was delicious. I didn’t sleep much as I was really cold and still sneezing.

Wednesday 1st June.

Both granddaughters got me on Pinch Punch, first time ever! In the night I decided we would move hotels. By this time I am feeling very feverish and have a two day old head ache. This is the fourth day of feeling under the weather not like me I get over things very quickly normally. I am glad we moved to Park Lane hotel as the Gilveys stayed here and loved it. Our room is spacious , modern, a big wardrobe and a fabulous comfortable bed. I sink into it and decide I am never moving. Still very cold Roger is boiling and wants the air con on but I just can’t warm up. My headache is worse. James texted to say to come over to them for sushi my favourite but I tell Roger I don’t think I should go in case I am infectious. Thank goodness as I felt worse as the night went on.

Thursday 2nd June

Hooray I’ve won the huge amount of £25 on premium bonds. My sister texts to remind me to watch the Royal fly past. I’m thankful for the Americans love it all and the coverage is great. I’m still feeling under the weather , just a bit cold like. Not too bad. Roger orders breakfast in the room but at $120 for orange juice, coffee and scrambled eggs at that price it will be the only one. I tell Roger I should do a covid test. We talk to L & J who agree. Roger walks over to James home to pick up his suitcase and Leslie leaves some Covid tests for us. As soon as I take the test it’s positive. I could cry. Leslie & James have organised so many fun thing for us to do this week. When you only see your children once a year it’s very hard. Tonight we were booked into a fabulous restaurant to celebrate James two birthdays that we have missed. Www.LeBernardin.com. Leslie is worried about my cough and sets me up with a zoom with her GP surgery. This is prompt and the doctor tells me I am can have a drug called Paxlovid which will cut my symptoms by five days. It is available free. I am amazed. Doctor works out I’m probably in day four and should isolate until Sunday. We dress and walk heavily masked to the pharmacy or drugstore as they are called here. The doctor tells me which one to go to as not all places stock this drug due to a shortage. I feel very lucky. On the way back we grab some food and drink and head back to the hotel before the heavens opens. The weather here is unpredictable at the moment. When we left the hotel it was bright sun and 30c. I collapse in bed and sleep fairly well untill 6am. I have missed two calls from James during the night.

Friday 3rd June. Cloudy start. Sun by 9am. 28c

Roger pops next door to the deli for coffee orange justice and bagels. I almost inhale the orange justice and coffee ($35) but can’t face food so Roger puts the bagel in the fridge for later. A bit of a non event. I sleep most of the day and Roger admits he has had a headache for a couple of days!

So it appears Roger has covid too but isn’t feeling bad at all. He had his 4th covid booster before we left for the USA so maybe it protected him more. We book him a private doctors slot on the insistence of no 1 son. $250 later (thank heavens for credit cards) Roger has the Paxlovid prescription! We continue to lay about trying to avoid people. Heavily masked up if we need food and drink. Sunday afternoon we take a quick walk through Central park to say farewell to Leslie & James. All masks and no hugs. Very sad. Leslie has made us up a fabulous goodie back full of oranges, fresh juicy cherries and chocolate. Monday Thank goodness we are clear when eventually we fly home.