Day 10 - High times on the High Line

Today was a relatively low key day.  Peter and the boys started off doing the women's work today, bless their souls, they took all the washing off to the dry cleaners.  Only they submitted the washing half an hour late, so now we won't have our washing back until Monday evening.  Yep, my thermals are in that washing.  I'm not laying the blame on Peter here, I could have gone to the laundry which is just around the corner and to get my dirty garments to recycle them, but I had already worn those thermals 5 or more days solid (really, I've lost count), so I opted to leave them with the washing service.  Today was fractionally warmer at about 9 degree's, so with my 2 coats, 2 Lycra under tops, scarf, gloves and hat I was warm enough.  Tomorrow is meant to be around the same temp but rain is threatening. I think I shall be warm enough tomorrow, but god knows what the weather is doing on Monday.

On our street West 30th, a few blocks over is where the High Line Park starts, so we made our way over to it for a nice stroll.  The High Line Park is an elevated urban park.  It's not particularly wide as it is built on an old rail line.  The rail line used to carry freight and I understand it was left derelict for years.  Around 2009 it was made into this pretty cool urban park. We walked it from 30th Street to 12th Street, I think it went for a little longer, but we cut out here as we wanted to go to the Chelsea Markets.

Duplex lads sitting at one of the viewing areas at the High Line Park

This pier, with these original gates which are rusted to the hilt is viewed from the High Line. This is where the surviving passengers of the Titanic were bought to disembark after they had been rescued.

 

The only lawned area on the Highline (although the lawn is "Closed" during winter), with some funky architecture to the left.

We found this tiny pop up skating rink at the bottom of the High Line, they had these cute little penguins that the kids could glide around on while learning to skate.  I needed one of these penguins on Christmas day to help balance me at my ill fated skating attempt.

 

By this time I think we are on the cusp of Chelsea and the Meat Packing District (I think?). They were lovely old cobble stoned streets, with some quite upmarket fashion designers and stores in this area.  We sniffed out the Chelsea Markets, which would have been fabulous for a decent leisurely wander.  These markets seemed to have it all, shops with all sorts of wonderful gadgets and nick knacks, food and wine etc.  Once again it was just too crowded to appreciate, so you couldn't even zip off to have a quick squizz in a shop if something caught your eye.  And lunch, impossible to find a table for 6.  Next trip to New York when ever that may be will certainly entail a trip back to the Chelsea Market. (Chris & Shell, I'd suggest this place should be on your 'to do' list, hopefully the crowds will have died down by the time you arrive).

This was a Christmas decoration in the Chelsea Market, picture doesn't do it justice, it looked gorgeous.

We found a lovely little gourmet kebab place over the road and round the corner from the Market, they accommodated our table of 6 after they moved some other people, how's that for service, although I wouldn't have thought that to be great hospitality etiquette for the poor people that were moved.  None the less, we were totally chuffed!

From there, I cut out and caught the subway back to Penn Station as I wanted to go to the movies, but when I got to the cinema the movie I wanted to see wasn't on until another hour.  So I just flagged that idea and waked a couple of blocks home.  From lunch the family made their way over to the Union Square Markets, although Sue said they were nothing special, they then made their way home too. 

Peter and the boys headed back to the park for about half an hour to throw some hoops at the basket ball court before dark.

Tonight I am gladly home with the boys in the warmth, Pete and Sue have gone dancing at the Manhattan Ballroom. 

The New York Subway that we have been navigating.