More on New York:

Did quite a lot of general strolling around the city when the weather allowed: on the whole it was either too hot or too wet. The only times it wasn't hot and humid was when it was p*ssing down with rain (and it was still hot then). Struggled a bit with the contrast between temperatures of 30 C or more outside, and air conditioned buildings with the temperature turned down really low. Still haven't fully recovered from the resulting chill and have a lovely croaky voice at the moment.
Did the mandatory visit to Ground Zero on one of the strolls to the financial district. Also took in both the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges (one walked, the other on the subway). Spent one afternoon out a Coney Island in Brooklyn - it was shut (or at least a hell of a lot quieter than expected). Apparently we picked the wrong day: if it rains at any point during the morning, then basically they don't bother opening the amusement park, bars, or anything else that relies on vourist income.

Back on the Hudson side of Manhattan, had a ride on The Beast speedboat. Wasn't as good as it was hyped - size of boat and the stillness of NY waters meant that even that though we sat right up front, the trip was failry smooth. Didn't even get wet although a lot of people behind us did (but that was only 'cos the nutter doing the commentary came out with a water pistol and the na bucket of water to douse people).

Did manage to get absolutely drenched one evening. Decided to go ice skating down on one of the piers on the Hudson. Had a ten minute walk through a storm only to find that ice skating sessions are only open to the public for just over an hour at lunchtime (and not even on every day of the week!). Why advertise ice skating if opening times are that limited?Spent next to last day out of the city. Took a trip on the NJ Tranist down the Jersey coast to a couple of beaches. First was Manasquan which was ok. Beahc was good, had some good waves coming in but the water temperature was cold (v cold: 58 F apparently). Probably even colder than the other side of the Atlantic in South Africa in their winter and this is the US summer. Moved up the coast about five miles to Belmar to find the water there was a lot warmer. Why such a difference in such a short distance? Don't ask me - I haven't a clue. Anyway spent the whole afternoon on the beach and in the sea. Topped up the Florida tan very nicely.

Final day in NY was 4th July. Had a final wander around the East Village, and final breakfast at Dojos. Did the mandatory choice of catching the 4 July fireworks over the East River. Good display for 30 minutes but v crowded.





Now moved on to Washington DC. Still haven't located a PC where I can hook up a USB cable from a camera. In fact don't even have my camera with me now. It decided during the firework display that it would work in video mode only, and by the next morning it had given up completly. Had to make an emergency final stop down on Union Square to drop it in for repairs, only to find that they need to send it to Olympus in NY State. Won't even get a quote for a week and a half and then it could be another two weeks b4 I get it back. :-((
Have now started investigating purchase/hire of replacement. Can't travel around the US without something to record what I see: The old brain cells are a bit past it now!