Back home now, so its time fro the final blog.. :( bet you're all very upset!

So, we had just got to Queens, New York..1st things first - went for a run around the area! Were quite lucky with the lights so it wasnt too stop-start. Settled into our temporary residence quickly - running water and a fridge!! How lucky we are!

First day in New York started with returning the hire car to JFK airport, and got the subway back into manhattan. Treated ourselves to 2 pizzas for our special one day a week indulgence! Turns out Lombardi's is better than John's. Had a good stroll arounf mnahattan, took in some sights such as: Flatiron building, Union Sq, Washington Square Park and Broadway. Did a little shopping.

Next day was Statue of Liberty - impressive even secong time round, Wall St. - quite nice, World Trade Centre (WTC) Tribute - heart-wrenchingly sad - RIP to all.. Walked up to but not onto the Brooklyn Bridge, and visited theBodies exhibition, where they use cadavers to let people learn about the body - very interesting and also a little disgusting in places, but definitely worth a go! Had our 1st workout in our gym.

Early workout for next day, found Century 21 (the TKmaxx of New York) and did some shopping - proper bargains! Treated ourselves to a brief sunbathe in Central park. Had a nutriton discussion with Staci, one of Christine's friends - as we like to do!

Gym session to start, another day of just walking around manhattan taking in the sites and people. Had a couple of drinks for independence day, and ended up eating in Mcdonald's rather than getting into a club - woops!! Funny night though!

Hungover day so didnt really get up to much, went to cinema to watch Wanted - with Angelina Jolie in (a great hangover cure!) Then back to the flat for some more films on TV and a relatively early night after chatting to Christine.

Back into the gym on Sunday, had a good walk around Central Park, weather not really good enough for a bathe unfortunately. Saw a breakdance performance on the street where the guys wouldn't do their 'Grand finale' because people didnt donate enough money! "we're worth more than that!" Got food shopping on way back.

Guy at reception refers to Matt as 'my partner' - think it must be a gay thing 2 guys going to the gym together! - oh well.. Today was Brooklyn Bridge day - walked over after me reading the map wrong and ended up in Chinatown! Big walking day - knackered by the end!

Get Big (Treat day)!! :D After a quick gym session and a visit to the Empire State Building. Awesome views, but just a little bit hazy.. Found New York Burger Co. - i'm salivating now at the thought! Had massive double cheeseburger with jalapenos with sweet potato fries..yummy!! Had a sunbathe on the roof of our appartment block, good views on manhattan. Jessie returned from Cuba at about 2am - we were both very tired but it was good to see her, weird couple of hours where her phone charger blew up in the wall!

Last full day in NY, samples Gray's hotdogs - not bad for value, went to the Natural history museum (suggested donation $15 - ours $1) - good but massive and impossible to see it all in one day! Got some ridiculously cheap supplements for home and had a quick run before going out with Jessie and Christine in the evening..well til 5am-ish! Very amusing night..

So our last days travelling amounted to a bagel for breakfast, packed all our bags and had a quick sunbathe on the roof. Took our roughly 40kg baggage to JFK airport, never sweated so much in my life! Found out at the checkin desk that no-one booked us onto the flight! Luckily ended up getting on another one an hour later - phew! Gave us more time to eat, so we weren't too unhappy about it! The last flight turned out to be the worst one - entertainment messed up in flight, and the was only a snack for breakfast - where was the scrambled eggs and sauage???

Finally made it back around 8am, met at the airport by my parents and Matt's dad and brother. Accompanied by helium 'welcome home' balloon :) Stayed in a cafe for some catching up and made the drive back home on the M25...

So that's all.

It's been emotional.