Day trip to Europe

A while back we got the subway up to the top of Manhattan to visit The Cloisters Museum and Gardens. It's part of The Met Museum and is a huge collection of medieval European architecture, art and artifacts. 

The walk there from the subway takes you through a lovely park overlooking the Hudson, with some great views of the George Washington Bridge. 

When you arrive it kind of does feel like you're suddenly in Italy. 

Pretty much everything in there, including the materials the actual museum is built from, was imported from Europe over a hundred years ago. 

It was a really hot and muggy day so after a brief explore of the exhibitions we mainly just enjoyed the cool courtyards and gorgeous medieval gardens (they smelt amazing too).

 And then on the way home we spotted what Dave assures me was a groundhog!

After all that it seemed only right to end the day with an incredibly American dinner - our first US-style BBQ meal at our local Dino-BBQ.

New York Produce

After nine months here the initial novelty of the endless choices and chaotic 24 hour nature of Manhattan grocery shopping has worn off a little. 

We are definitely missing European cheeses and breads. And mayonaise.

(I actually had a dream recently that M&S opened a branch in New York...) 

Anyway, one thing we do still love is buying our fruit and veg (or produce as they call it here) and other supplies at one of the many greenmarkets around the city.

There is a huge and famous greenmarket in Union Square which is great but there is also a lovely little one right at the end of our block at weekends.

Most of the produce is organic and locally grown. So far we've enjoyed cherry season, peach season and lots of heirloom tomato salads and right now we are loving the most delicious sweet corn.

 Any idea what this crazy vegetable is?

 I love the little green punnets the smaller fruits come in

 Now we're looking forward to an apple-filled Fall!

Summer in the City

It's getting noisier and busier round here as all the students suddenly start to arrive back on campus after summer break. I still feel their back to school excitement years after I was last a student and am enjoying watching friends reunited on the streets on Morningside Heights. 

I think I can take this as a sign that (touch wood) we have officially survived our first long, hot and humid New York summer. Phew.

The summer coincided completely with me starting work and things getting pretty hectic for us both. 

I feel like were finally settling into a routine and hope we can now resume our explorations of the city which may mean some more regular posting on here!

But for now here are just a few of our New York summer highlights...

Summertime view from the apartment


Long walks from our flat along the riverside


Trips to the seaside


A week of food and fun with Shantha

 Meeting the neighbours

 Birthday brunch at our old favourite Red Rooster

Lots of Park time

 

Including my ever enjoyable walk home from work (on cooler evenings only)

Open air burgers at the amazing Shake Shack (always worth queuing for...)

Dinners on the deck with Dave's team at his boss's lovely cottage by the Hudson

 Endless warm evening wanders on the Upper West Side

Enjoying some of the amazing summer events happening in New York, including Prospect Park concerts with friends, magical Shakespeare in the Park and the Central Park Film Festival.
(And I'm still not over the novelty of not needing a cardigan for outside events at night!)

Frozen Margaritas and guacamole with my travelling cousin

 The loudest and most regular thunderstorms we've ever experienced

Discovering the rooftop bar at The Met complete with amazing sculpture and even better views

Think we're ready for September and a bit of cool air now!