I had a big sleep in this morning! Sleep has been a nonexistent commodity these last few weeks as I have been coughing myself awake or cannot get comfortable enough to sleep. I take it when I can get it. But I still want to do something with my afternoon so decide to complete the rooms l haven't seen of the MET. It's Mother's Day today and the neighbourhood is full of people in the parks, at the local cafes, even the building is noisier with the constant flow of...

Another day in Brooklyn! Doing the last few things on my list in this area, I am acutely aware how quickly time is going and that I still have so much to do. I am returning briefly to the Brooklyn botanical gardens to see if the other cherry trees are in flower (free in Saturday morning), then going to the Brooklyn art museum next door which has a great reputation for its Egyptian artifacts and woman arts focus, then I will hit Atlantic ave for an antique/ shopp...

Back in the land of the living again .... I was on the train to grand central two days ago when the cough tore muscles on my right side leaving me in excruciating pain. I waited 4 hours in a clinic to see a doctor and get some of the medication I needed. The dr was really nice but frustrated with the limitations on her. She could prescribe codeine and antibiotics and stronger asthma meds, but no painkillers at all, so I had two days of no sleep or relief, I didn'...

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...

Yesterday was a quiet day spent at home getting Jane organised to catch her evening flight home, and then putting the apartment back together after her visit. We did have a local brunch at the chat grill - good eggs Benedict and homemade lemonade. Today finds me in soho. There are a lot of interesting shops in this area, including a few familiar names from australia who have their new york store in this funky area. The moma design store has an outpost and they ...