We wanted to see Central Park by bike so opted for a guided tour which we booked for 10am, so it was an early start as it was quite a long trip on the subway. To our amazement the train was full, this was Sunday where was everyone going? These people weren't tourists, some were wearing suits and looking like they were off to work. Although there seems to be plenty of churches around, Sunday does not seem to be a day of rest, shops are open the usual long hours.

We got to our bike hire shop and our guide Robert turned up to show us the sights of Central Park. We had to hear all about the hardships of his life and how he had been fighting the law courts for 7 years over compensation for some accident which has left him in poverty and this was the only job he was allowed to do. He had a big chip on his shoulder about money. He could tell you how much every apartment cost, hotel rooms cost, and seem to have a dislike of the wealthy. It was a good job I didn't turn up in my designer gear! He seemed to have no respect that we were two "elderly" cyclists and sped through the park weaving his way through the hundreds of ladies in pink doing a charity run and the hundreds of other park uses, it really was manic. There were lots of stops to see all the sites which were very interesting. I had no idea there was a large reservoir, a castle and a beautiful wild wooded area. So our man kept us entertained with the sound of his voice. It was not until we were more than half way round that he realised we hadn't flagged on the "hills" and had managed not to lose him that he commented that we were quite fit. We enjoyed our tour with Robert who is going to disappear from New York when he gets his big fat compensation cheque. What a shame!

After stopping at a tea shop for some lovely refreshing iced tea we went back to the park for lunch and a bit of geocaching. The south east corner of the park leads to 5th Avenue. Shopping time? I think not. The only shop we ventured into was the Apple Store which was a glass cube at ground level. On entry you went down stairs or a lift into a playground for geeky people sitting round tables playing with the latest Apple gadgets. It was weird, even Graham agreed.
We went past all the designer shops to the Rockerfeller Centre and I decided I wanted to do "The Top of the Rock" to see the awesome views over New York. Graham not a lover of heights, was not keen on the top floor but managed to "enjoy"the experience.

Last bit of sightseeing had to be Times Square. It was busy, bright, noisy and interesting, especially the topless ladies being painted ! That was enough sights for one day and it was starting to rain so back down the subway to Brooklyn.

After dinner I thought I would see what was going on with the tennis the U.S. Open finals just a few miles away. Very surprised to hear that there had been a 3 hour delay because of rain, we had only seen a few spots, but at least I can now spend the evening watching tennis. It's one set all and 9.20pm so it could be a late night.