We said our goodbyes to Mark, Melissa and Max and Sam - it was lovely to see them and great to relax in their house.

We jumped in the car and drove north to New York - the weather wasn't that great but it was a fairly easy drive through the Lincoln Tunnel to our hotel in West 34th street. It was too early to check in so we returned the rental car and then walked toward Macy's to catch up with the Roberts family from Highfields. It was great to see them - especially for Campbell to see Lily. We went to the L'amico Hotel for a very pleasant lunch.

Back to the hotel under drizzling skies, we checked in and relaxed in the hotel for a bit before we headed down to TriBeCa to see Chris and Renee.

Chris, Renee and the girls (Mackenzie and Cameron) and their crazy dog Chip live in this amazing apartment in TriBeCa. The kids got on like they'd known each other for years and it was great to catch up with Chris and Renee. Some Burgers and Pinot later and we wished them goodbye - hopefully we will see them in Sydney or perhaps Japan?

We caught a taxi back to the hotel, listening to the Knicks game on the radio as we drove past Madison Square Garden. Off to bed watching Penn State lose in the Rose Bowl in the last 30 seconds - sorry Pa Mike.

The next day the weather was as equally poor but we braved the elements and caught the C train down to the World Trade Center. Despite the poor weather the memorial is extremely moving and tastefully done. The Freedom Tower was shrouded in cloud but you could still feel its imposing shape. The new Oculus building is breathtaking and an amazing shopping space - all that white marble!

We caught the subway uptown to the Natural History Museum in Central Park West. The museum is amazing but on a wet day very popular. We went in the planetarium entrance and skipped the que (score). It's a bit confusing walking around the museum but we made it to the aquatic life section to see the Blue Whale and all the dinosaurs (Campbell's favourite).

Like the London equivalent the museum is a little overwhelming - there is just so much to see! The kids were tiring so we walked around the neighbourhood until we found the Meatball Shop. What a great restaurant - yummy meatballs were a perfect lunch on a cold wet day.

We caught the subway back down to Rockefeller Centre to see the Christmas Tree (looking a little tired!) and then walked over to Times Square (aka Father Duffy Square) to see the lights and go to the Disney Shop. We were all a little wet and tired by now so we walked downtown past the Broadway Theaters back to the hotel to dry out and rest up before dinner at Rosa Mexicana's. Rosa Mexicana brought back some nice memories for Leigh and I (and their guacamole is pretty awesome). We wandered around Union Square for a bit and then caught a taxi back to the hotel.