Up at 6.30 and caught the 7.30 transfer bus from the Travelodge near Heathrow where we'd stayed overnight. Went straight through security with no queue and off to the lounge where we had a quiet sit down with coffee and a snack.

Boarded easily. Our seats were in the front row so we had enormous amounts of space. Took off slightly late but made up the time and landed on time. Seats, etc were very comfortable and we both managed to doze quite a lot en route. Slight delay on landing whilst paramedics came on board to deal with someone who’d been taken ill during the flight. Got through immigration with only a moderate queue and collected our luggage which was already there.

Flying in over Long Island

Got a cab to our hotel - The New Yorker. After unpacking we went out for a walk. Discovered that we were in fact only one block away from the Pennsylvania where we’d stayed in December. Rooms in the New Yorker are slightly larger and brighter, although the corridors are much the same. On the spur of the moment we decided to go up the Empire State again. Views were obviously the same but it was much easier to stay outside on the viewing deck as it was 24^oC rather than -5^oC. By the time we got back out it was past 6pm.

The New Yorker Hotel

The Empire State Building

 Views from The Empire State Building

We walked back to the hotel and had a much needed Sam Adams in Coopers Tavern and then both had pasta in the Tic Tock Diner. Very nice and reasonably priced considering that we’re in the heart of one of the world’s great cities. Back to our room to discover that the free wifi simply connects with no registration etc. Sent some emails before typing up the diary.