It's quiet as I write this, so very quiet. Harriet is in the bath and she is absorbed in something so there is not even the familiar sloshing of water on the floor. We've had a couple of military fly-pasts today but there is not so much as a helicopter visible. There are neither police cars screaming nor youths shrieking.
Unusual. No complaints though.
It's been an all-go weekend. On Saturday morning we first travelled up to the midtown to see the navy ships that are here for fleet week. Then we walked down the river to our usual park on the pier. It's summer now so the fountains have all been turned on. Which is just as well because it's roasting. I mean really, really hot and little consolation though it is to the UK, it is a pain to have to apply all the sunscreen.
Harriet loves the water, obviously. She loves the sand (a delightful mess when the two meet) and she loves the slide. All of this takes place against the backdrop of the Hudson filled with passing cruise ships and yachts, watched over by the skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty.
After a quick brunch in the Village (H spark out from all the fun) we returned home and took Pip out. Back to the Hudson but now on the grass of pier 45 with our picnic blanket and a few 'sodas'.
Harriet was not keen on the idea of sitting on a blanket and took herself off to meet and greet some of the other groups. One couple, Portuguese and Belgian, were soon dancing to her tune. Whatever you might have heard New York is an easy place to get chatting to people especially with a little girl who shouts 'I'm shy' over and over till she gets a response.
On Sunday we went to the larger park at pier 25 for the meet-up group. It was yet more fun in the water and a chance to meet another couple with a fifteen month old boy. Another quick brunch in the village (New York's best meal) and we were off to the Upper West Side.
Samara's mother's place is amazing. It has roof top access with unobstructed views of Central Park. They had set up a paddling pool for the kids but I definitely had to paddle to try to cool down just a little. Harriet had an amazing time with the other children and Pip was having the best time ever lounging around on the roof deck and hoovering up anything that fell from a plate.
The best part of the day came in the evening when the sun goes down and the city lights up. It's finally cool enough to relax and stop hunting the shade.
Monday has been a much quieter - a perfect end to a perfect holiday weekend.
Unusual. No complaints though.
It's been an all-go weekend. On Saturday morning we first travelled up to the midtown to see the navy ships that are here for fleet week. Then we walked down the river to our usual park on the pier. It's summer now so the fountains have all been turned on. Which is just as well because it's roasting. I mean really, really hot and little consolation though it is to the UK, it is a pain to have to apply all the sunscreen.
Harriet loves the water, obviously. She loves the sand (a delightful mess when the two meet) and she loves the slide. All of this takes place against the backdrop of the Hudson filled with passing cruise ships and yachts, watched over by the skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty.
After a quick brunch in the Village (H spark out from all the fun) we returned home and took Pip out. Back to the Hudson but now on the grass of pier 45 with our picnic blanket and a few 'sodas'.
Harriet was not keen on the idea of sitting on a blanket and took herself off to meet and greet some of the other groups. One couple, Portuguese and Belgian, were soon dancing to her tune. Whatever you might have heard New York is an easy place to get chatting to people especially with a little girl who shouts 'I'm shy' over and over till she gets a response.
On Sunday we went to the larger park at pier 25 for the meet-up group. It was yet more fun in the water and a chance to meet another couple with a fifteen month old boy. Another quick brunch in the village (New York's best meal) and we were off to the Upper West Side.
Samara's mother's place is amazing. It has roof top access with unobstructed views of Central Park. They had set up a paddling pool for the kids but I definitely had to paddle to try to cool down just a little. Harriet had an amazing time with the other children and Pip was having the best time ever lounging around on the roof deck and hoovering up anything that fell from a plate.
The best part of the day came in the evening when the sun goes down and the city lights up. It's finally cool enough to relax and stop hunting the shade.
Monday has been a much quieter - a perfect end to a perfect holiday weekend.
