A local day today, to take some time out and get some housekeeping stuff done. I did a test pack of all my belongings in the morning, wrapped all the breakable things in bubble wrap (that would be the beautiful antique plates I have bought here, as well as some exquisite modern champagne glasses). The good news is, I don't need to buy another bag, but those bags are now FULL and I have a rather cumbersome bag of breakables for my hand luggage. The shopping comes...

Today is gorgeous, and I want to take some photos whilst the gardens are at their peak around a village I pass every day on the train - bronxville. It is bigger than scarsdale, and has a similar selection of expensive homewares, boutiques, jewellers and more formal restaurants and delis. The village is meticulously maintained, the gardens well groomed and the public buildings restored. I'm most excited about the small cinema in the village, but the selection of m...