New York 5

Our last morning :-(  Another glorious day of blue skies and sunshine.  Knowing out flight was late in the evening we were a little worried about how the travel would affect H's MS so after breakfast he went back to bed whilst N and I did a little more shopping.

Final View of New York

We checked out at 12, took H for his last minute shopping and lunch and then decided rather than sit in the hotel reception killing time we'd walk back to the bus and get back to the airport to see if we could check the bags.  I am so glad we did.  We got on a bus (just), our stop was the first stop, and by the time we were at the second stop it was full.  I'm not sure if anyone ever got on at the 3rd stop and the queue waiting was huge.

The journey back to the airport was uneventful.  Much easier than getting to JFK a few years ago.

The only thing I found stressful is getting through security.  I mean, we get to go down the fast pass lane with the wheelie BUT we then have to get everything into boxes to go through the X-Ray machine.  I had to sort myself and H and take off his shoes etc all the time getting shouted up to hurry up I was slowing the lines down etc.  Not sure how much quicker I could have done it without ripping one of his feet off - that might have been quicker if a little messier!!!!

The flights home were great, the cabin crew, especially the chap looking after our section were fabulous.  Couldn't have offered more help to H if he'd tried.

 We might have been sad to be leaving (she was joking - I think!), or feeling silly (he'd had a Stella!!!).

Someone may have been told that her Bacardi was at risk if she feel asleep so she came up with a nifty solution :-)

Not sure why the bloke in the baseball hat was so grumpy!

By the time we arrived back home I think we were all knackered.  I managed to stay awake until about 7pm before sofa sleeping.  H and I are already saving to go back.

PS I fell in love with a product whilst in NY.  I was trying to be so good, but I was pushing the wheelchair for miles each day so I wasn't too worried.  I accidentally found the following and ate 2 packets whilst in NY and another packet the second we unpacked...........  I think it's a good job I am not American, I would have packets of this in my cupboards.

Anyone going to America want to send me a bag - I found them in CVS Pharmacy but they could be anywhere - just waiting for me................... :-)

New York 4

Our last full day in New York and for the first time it is a little overcast and the forecast is rain.  Today we have planned to go to Top of the Rock and Central Park and nothing is going to stop us.

First stop is the Rockefeller Center (had to change the spelling to the American, since we were in NY but it took 2 attempts!!).  Now I have been here with my Mum in November a few years ago and I was impressed by the views over Central Park (albeit in Winter) so was eager to see it again.  I had to ask for the disabled entrance as I couldn't find a way in without steps but we got there.  This was the only time we got preferential treatment due to the wheelchair (except for flights) and it worked well.  We were directed to a sales desk on the same level as we were (I was a little jealous that everyone else had to go down a fabulous spiral staircase to get their tickets) and then directed to a private elevator to get to the next level.  On this level we had to go through metal detector's - erm, the one set up for wheelchairs needs to be a little wider - I don't THINK I damaged it!!!!!!!  Then into another elevator (no queues) and we were off.  I find the fast elevator a little off putting, but when you step out at the first stop and turn left you are immediately hit with views of Central Park.

Then onto the next level and views over the other side of the building (our hotel was just by the Empire State Building).

 I love the architecture of this building.

Do you see "Not the Empire State Building" hiding behind the MetLife building below?? I love that building, it's on my list of things to see next time we go to New York (Pretty please let there be a next time)

Then onto the top level - can you tell it was a little cold and windy?????  He's such a wuss.

but then it got to our hair so it was time to go!!!!

A quick hot chocolate break and on to Central Park.  I love that we were in the city for Spring and fabulous flowers.

A quick drink and onto Tiffany's for a new charm for my bracelet.  Now I love Tiffany's and have always wanted to visit here so I think I was a little tired and wasn't really bothered - Grrrrrrrrrr.  So you can imagine my happiness when I noticed that H was missing his bag.  Turns out he'd left it in the Gents in Central Park.  Now we think we know who took it (no it wasn't there when we got back) but there you go, such is life.  H should agree one thing though - he is a MUPPET (yes you H).

Anyway, by the time we'd gone back to check for his bag my hands were so painful from the wheelchair handles that I was not in a happy place- until we got back to the hotel and had a glass of wine or two in the bar.  Then the world suddenly seemed a little better :-)

On our last night we went to a fabulous bar/restaurant across the road from the hotel.  Now the only reason I chose it was it had a ramp and it was so close.  I was prepared to be disappointed after the bar of the first night but boy were we in for a surprise.  We ended up in Brendans and we were all more than happy.  You go in through a bar but then the room opens up into a fabulous restaurant.  We all enjoyed our meals and agreed we wished we'd tried it on the first night.

Can anyone tell me why none of us thought to go up the Empire State Building to see the city by night??  I blame tiredness as I have no other excuses.

New York 3

(Being nagged by Mum to add more to my New York posts- sorry for the delay Mum!)

Another glorious day, another fab brekkie and another early start.  We've realised if we want to get a table easily in the breakfast room we need to be down there for 7.45am.  Now we've cottoned on it should be easier than yesterday!!!

Today we are heading to the High line.  I am not too tired from pushing H yesterday (thanks to the Hop on Hop off Bus).  Things start well - but then with every block we notice more and more potholes.  Some suddenly appear on the pavement, some are where the curb meets the road (they are the best ones), some are noticeable, some are not so noticeable and stop me dead in my tracks - especially bad when leaving the road to go up a kerb at the other side.    Some dropped kerbs don't even drop all the way to the road - it's a real game, every time we cross a road and boy do you have to do that frequently.   I can understand why you don't see too many wheelchairs in New York............

Luckily I am wearing leggings under my skirt so I have a little protection on my legs - still hurts every time I hit a pothole though :-( and H has the cheek to complain when we hit them!!!  But with the sun shining it's not so bad.


The top end of the High line is only about 10 blocks from our hotel and has a lift at the end. It's a shame when we get there then that the lift is not working.  So H and N start a slow climb up the stairs whilst I collapse the wheelchair and think about carrying it up the stairs.  Now, I accept that I need to learn to accept help when offered, but why is it the people who look like they need help themselves that do the offering.  I got half way up the stairs before the older gentleman insisted that he help carry the chair with me.  To that gentleman I say thank you - to the younger people on the stairs, I say you should heed his example, or I'll tell my Mum.

I have been to the High line in November when unsurprisingly virtually everything is dead/asleep for Winter.  It is so much nicer in Spring.

I love the way the planting has been done.  Colour everywhere (H says green is fine and is a colour, I tend to disagree!).

I love that they have added/kept some tracks and planted in them.  The people who created/upkeep the garden are not afraid of what it is and that's great.  There is no pretending to be something it is not. 

 I also love the streets leading to/from the High line.  I love that you have modern buildings, old buildings, building sites, narrow streets, wide streets.  It really speaks to me.

 Places to sit everywhere.  Though I didn't get photos of all the different types of seating - N did you?

You are never far from a view.  I used to think the building in the middle was the Empire State Building and had quite a shock when I discovered it isn't!!!  So for evermore it will be known as "NOT the Empire State Building".

 I first saw this mural (below) in Winter and the colours popped.  I still think that the colours pop and the blossom on the tree adds to it.  It is one of my favourite parts of the High line (or should I say favourite view from the High line!).

This is another favourite bit of mine.  I love the window cut out so you can see the street.  (BTW it took my ages to get a photo with a yellow cab in it passing below!)

Thankfully at this end of the High line the lifts were working so we got off and walked through Chelsea.  I think both H and I loved this bit and just wish we hadn't been so tired so we may have explored it more than we did.  

The best bit of being an adult is that if you want cake for lunch then you can!!!

On the evening M met up with her cousin and H and I had a meal in the hotel.  I was too tired to even think about pushing him anyway else!!!!  We had planned a romantic evening, a bottle of champagne..... sadly, the hotel didn't have any champagne (wtf), Hubby accidentally poured half a glass of red wine all over me (I think accidentally!) and the sweet potato fries were soggy.  Still It was short push along a corridor so that made up for some of it :-)

New York 2

Our first full day in New York and we were up early.  Breakfast was included in the price of our hotel so we met up for a good brekkie.  Now, on Trip Advisor there are lots of complaints about the breakfast.  However, the 3 if us were happy with the selection.  Tea, coffee and juices, yogurts and fruit, muffins (I grabbed a Blueberry one- Yummy), pastries, bagels and bread to toast.  I'm happy with that selection.

Indeed the only downside of the hotel were the lifts - breathe in love!  As soon as you got through the doors you had to turn to get past a sticky outy bit!!!  And the doors seemed to stay open for a nanosecond but each time we used it was an adventure!

As we were up so early we decided to hit Macys to try and avoid some of the rush hour traffic before catching our Hop on Hop off bus.  We managed to do 4 floors before realising it was nearly 10am.  The only thing we booked before arriving in New York was the bus.  This was to save a little bit of money.  I am not sure I would bother again.  The information we were given is that the all the buses stop by the Empire State Building - and they do, lots and lots of different bus companies - except ours.......  We walked back and forth, and asked other companies for ours.  Eventually we went into a shop for water and thankfully the server advised us to walk a few blocks south and then we found our bus stop.

It was a sunny morning and the upstairs was full so we sat downstairs (not that D had a choice!), boy were we glad we did- the people hopping off looked frozen when they came downstairs.

Blossom, Woolworth Building, Freedom Tower

We got off at the tip of Manhattan as we'd planned on catching the Staten Island Ferry to get closer to the Statute of Liberty.  I was put off by the amount of people rushing to catch it so we decided not to bother (N.B. Get up and off next time).  We did get to see the SOL from a distance though.  What do you mean, it's not the real one?

Our View

View from Nov 2012

By the water it was really windy and cold but out of the wind it was a glorious day.   I was surprised just how many coffee shops/food shops were so inaccessible to the wheelchair at this end of the island.  We popped into Pret and grabbed a picnic.  I will be looking out for wild sock eyed salmon again - wow.  We had a glorious picnic in a garden in front of the Woolworth Building.  Then we hopped onto the bus again.  View of the Brooklyn Bridge below just as we set off again.

Not sure why the bull above is so popular - this was the best shot we could get (from the bus, 2nd time past).  Something to do with the financial district.

Now we were meant to go to the Highline.  Hubby assured us he was not in the least bit tired and he was eager to see more of New York.  He was 100% sure that he still had energy and he wouldn't regret using it up.  So how come 10 minutes into the journey we witnessed this.................

Can you see the Highline below?

Back to the hotel for Hubby to rest.  N and I went souvenir shopping. For Dinner we walked down to a fabulous Burger place that my Mum and I had found when we visited.  We went to Schnippers

We could have gone to Shakeshack but you have never seen such a long line of people waiting to be served.

We then headed further South to go to Barnes and Noble so I could look at books.  Unfortunately (or fortunately if you ask H) we got there with 10 minutes until it shut.  I quickly picked a book and we wandered back to the hotel.