New York City - Rockafella Plaza and The Brooklyn Bridge

First order of the day was a trip over to Rockafella Plaza, it was too misty to go upto the Top of the rocks.

The air was sharp, biting with winter's chill, but the city was alive with energy. On the ice rink in front of the Rockefeller Center there were only two brave skaters, their graceful movements contrasting with the rigid cold

The famous golden statue of Prometheus stood proudly on the ice, his hand outstretched toward the sky, catching the pale light of the overcast sky.

After lingering for a while, we decided to make our way to the Brooklyn Bridge, our footsteps crunching against the frosty pavement as they headed south.

The streets of Manhattan were quieter now, the early hour allowing us to enjoy the sights without the usual rush of people. As we walked toward the bridge, the skyline began to shift, and the towering structures of the city gave way to the sweeping vistas of the river.

The bridge loomed ahead, its gothic arches rising above us, sturdy and imposing. We crossed over onto the pedestrian walkway, the cold steel of the bridge's railings biting into our palms as we leaned over to peer at the view below.

 The East River stretched out before us, gray and frosty, dotted with patches of ice that floated lazily beneath the bridge. The skyline of Manhattan seemed even more magnificent from this vantage point, the buildings sharp and angular against the pale blue sky.

We walked slowly, taking in the sights—the span of the bridge's cables soaring above us like spider webs, the intricate architecture of the towers, and the view of Brooklyn rising in the distance, barely visible through the haze of cold mist.

The area around the bridge has some absolutely beautiful old buildings and its a joy just to walk the streets and enjoy the surrounding area.

                                              

Our final stop of the day was Chelsea Market, escaping the harsh winds of the city streets and stepping into the warmth of the old industrial building, now transformed into a lively marketplace.

The air inside was filled with the rich, inviting smells of freshly brewed coffee, baked bread, and sizzling street food, each aroma mingling with the hum of conversation and the clink of utensils on ceramic plates.

Second Day in The Big Apple

On a bitterly cold day  our second day in the City began when  we jumped on the Subway and made our way down to South Manhatten to join the Staten Island Ferry.

At terminal in Manhattan, bundled up in thick coats, gloves, and woolen hats, bracing against the biting wind coming off the East River.

 The sky is low and heavy with cloud cover, turning the world around us into a muted gray, save for the vibrant orange of the ferry approaching the dock. The river, once fluid, is now dotted with large chunks of ice drifting lazily with the current, giving the landscape an otherworldly feel, as if time has slowed.

As the ferry departs, we turned to take in the view of Manhattan’s towering skyline, its sharp lines softened by the mist. Skyscrapers rise up like monuments, the highest peaks disappearing into the thick layer of cloud.

The iconic skyline—dominated by the gleaming new One World Trade Center—seems both powerful and distant, as if it is being swallowed by the low-hanging sky.




Despite the cold, we stepped outside to the open deck, eager to feel the pulse of the river and take in the unfolding panorama. As we passed Ellis Island and approach the Statue of Liberty, her torch just visible through the mist, we stood close, marveling at the solemn beauty of the scene. 

The cold nippeds at our cheeks, but we linger outside, watching as the statue fades into the distance, wrapped in the soft haze of the river mist, until finally, Staten Island begins to emerge on the horizon. Our time on Staten Island was brief due to the freezing weather, just enough time for a coffee before the return journey to Manhatten.

Next stop was the grand halls of Grand Central Station, immediately we were  struck by its magnificence. The chill from outside seemed to melt away as they entered, replaced by the warmth and life buzzing around them. Above, the cavernous ceiling arched high and expansive, its celestial blue dotted with golden constellations, like a night sky captured within the station’s walls.

 Sunlight filtered through the towering arched windows, casting soft beams that illuminated the marble floors and created a play of light and shadow on the bustling scene below.

We stood still for a moment, hand in hand, letting the grandeur sink in. The sweeping staircases on either side, the vast expanse of the main concourse, and the iconic four-faced clock at the center of the information booth—all of it felt timeless, a tribute to an era of elegance and ambition.

 The clock's golden glow seemed to anchor the space, a gathering point for hurried commuters and wide-eyed tourists alike.

On that January evening, stepped into O'Brien's Pub, seeking refuge from the chill of the New York streets. The warmth of the dimly lit interior embraced us immediately as we pushed open the door, the faint scent of whiskey and woodsmoke mingling with the crisp air the we’d just left behind. Inside, the pub was a cozy retreat from the wintry world, its walls lined with dark oak, worn smooth by years of laughter and conversation.

Arriving in New York City 2014

To Celebrate Mandy's upcoming birthday we decided to go on a short vacation, but the destination was a surprise. After a short stopover in the UK we flew to New York City. On a a very cold day we flew into JFK airport.
We took a taxi to our base, Hudson Hotel on central Park .

Central Park, was just steps away theough a biting wind. Bare tree branches shimmer with frost, and patches of snow still blanket the ground, creating a stark contrast against the towering, gray cityscape beyond.

 The air was crisp and clear, the kind that makes your breath visible in short puffs. The park’s pathways were less crowded, with the occasional jogger or dog walker.

Wen then  then headed down to see the sights of Time Square.

The air was crisp and biting, with gusts of wind slicing through the streets. The towering electronic billboards still shine brightly, casting a surreal glow over the scene. Frost clings to the surfaces of cars and windows, and you can see plumes of warm breath from the few pedestrians bundled in heavy coats, scarves, and wool hats.












Steam rose from the subway grates, adding a mysterious haze to the scene, while taxis and buses slowly navigate the slick, salt-sprinkled streets. Surrounding us were the flashing lights and larger-than-life ads. Street vendors selling hot coffee and pretzels stand huddled near their carts, warming their hands by small heaters.

A shirtless man, perhaps a street performer or costumed character, poses with tourists, his skin goosebumped from the cold. Around him, a group of scantily clad women—wearing little more than themed costumes or glittery outfits—strike poses, smiling through their shivers for quick snapshots.

Staines on Thames UK

We flew from Cyprus to Heathrow, London and our first port of call was the town of Staines on Thames in Surrey, UK, experienced one of its worst floods in decades. The River Thames, swollen by relentless rainfall that had saturated much of southern England, burst its banks, inundating homes, businesses, and roads.

The water levels rose rapidly, transforming streets into rivers and parks into lakes, overwhelming the town's drainage systems. Residents awoke to the sight of muddy water seeping into their homes, with some properties submerged up to their windows.

The impact on the community was immense. Sandbags lined the fronts of homes, but in many cases, they proved futile against the sheer force of the rising river. Many residents described feeling trapped, watching helplessly as the water crept higher with each passing hour. Some streets were only accessible by boat, and many homes sustained significant water damage, with personal belongings ruined by the flood.

2014

A very Happy and Healthy New Year to all our Family, friends and visitors to the Blog.

Lynne's New Year Birthday bash

The Pissouriana Hotel was the venue for Lynne's New Year's eve birthday bash. Family and friends turned out to celebrate Lynne's 50th Birthday.

The Earth Moves

After a day of high winds, rain, thunder and lightening we were sitting quietly at home on Saturday evening when we felt 3 shakes in the room, a number of other people in the village felt them as well.

Details of the quake are below.

Magnitude	mb 5.9
Region	WESTERN TURKEY
Date time	2013-12-28 15:21:06.0 UTC
Location	36.02 N ; 31.32 E
Depth	64 km

Christmas Day In Pissouri

On a bright and breezy Christmas day in Pissouri,  we struggled up (a whole 100 meters) to The Olympus Palace restaurant for a traditional Christmas meal of Turkey and Gammon.
Singer, Danny Delaney, kept the guests entertained for over 7 hours.

Christmas Eve

On a beautiful  Christmas Eve we started off with a breath of fresh with a walk along Paramali Beach.

In the evening we made our down the Vraka tavern in Pissouri Square to see Chris King perform his "Elvis Christmas" show. Jan and Alun joined us for a superb meal followed by a very entertaining show.

The owner of The Vraka, Haris, joined in the fun when he opened the second act with his version of "Viva Las Vegas"

Jan and Mandy Belting out "Jingle Bells"

The Hillview

We were lucky enough to win the first prize in the village raffle, the prize was a meal at The Hillview restaurant. On a beautiful clear day we were joined by Bryan and Sheena and enjoyed a lovely Sunday lunch.