Today we decided to take Basement man's advice - after all he is a New Yorker- and headed off by foot along Broadway heading Uptown. Didn't get very far before we hit O.M.G Jeans and I got a pair of Levi's for $42! Bargain! Then we stepped our way to 57th where we found a discount clothing shop called Daffys. Saw lots of nice coats but figured I had already bought 2 so need no more. Kate scored a nice little top so we continued our merry little journey past the hotel I stayed in in 1985/6 onto 2nd Ave where we found a new little place that sold pizza, make your own salad, chili and all day breakfast .. All Smiths happy for about $25 including drinks!!!
From here we went on the Roosevelt Island tramway to - you guessed it- Roosevelt Island which is a tiny little island in the middle of the East River between Manhattan and Queens. It is not what we would call a tram but rather a gondola that carries probably 70 people and runs along side the bridge going to Queens. Roosevelt Island seems like a nice place to live if you don't mind high rise apartment living.
Upon return we headed along 59th street towards Central Park West but were side-tracked by Bloomingdales first. Sales were on but the prices were still on the high side. Saw a nice business shirt - a Paul Smith- only $305. Could not justify that on a business shirt that may end up covered in toner!!! Nice place to visit!!!
Back on track we hit Central Park and took the ubiquitous carriage ride through the park which may be corny and touristy but a lovely way to see the park especially when we have been walking all day. It might be pertinent to point out we started off in -4 degrees and it was expected to get to 3 degrees. It might also be pertinent to point out we started at 49th street and ended up at 81st and added several avenues across in there. They say every 20 blocks (on streets ) is a mile. So nearly 2 miles on streets plus a couple of avenues AND Central Park West which went forever!!!
After our carriage ride, we continued along CPW until we hit Columbus Circle which was a pretty circle with a few statues. We continued our trek on the Upper West side heading for the Planetarium. So very different from Midtown, very classy , refined and while still busy nothing like the busy we see here each day. The trip to the Poanetariumended with a huge queue and the discovery that the next show was 2 1/2 hour away so we gave up and headed another 4 blocks back o a subway an headed downtown to Times Square in search of a Boston RedSox cap. Back into the throng of busy we found a place called Lids that sells caps and beanies. I finally succombed to a beanie that my family agreed looked okay to stop my ears from burning with the cold. $5 and warm ears - yeah!!!
Afternoon tea was on the cards as I tried to find a deli that was 15 blocks away - oops! We dropped into this other deli called Roxys on Broadway where we took photos of the people at the table next to us food. They ordered sandwiches and they were unbelievable. Wish I could post the photo - but massive is an understatement!!!

Home at last for some much neede feet up time before we ventured out again!!! Dinner tonight was again on 9th avenue where the meals are substantially cheaper. Tonight's cuisine was Italian... Little Italy was probably where we should have been but Hell's Kitchen does okay with Italian too! It was scrumptious and yet another beautiful Californian Chardy... Loving it!!!
Kate and I continue our love affair with duck. Cold stone Ice-creamery for dessert on our way home makes us all full happy campers.

Sadly tomorrow is our last full day in NY and it is hard to believe we have already had nearly 11 nights.
Goodnight and see you tomorrow with more adventures!!!