Greetings from New York!

[BarcelonAl]

Hi guys, just a quick message to say that I'm safe and well in the Big Apple!

I've had my first experience of the Metro system (and didn't get lost! :)), and had a wander down Central Park to Trump Tower and Times Square. Forget what it looks like on TV, the place is even more incredible in real life!

I'm now off for a gentle sunday morning stroll round Central Park (it's not even 9am here) and then who knows! :)

See you all soon (with loads of piccies),

Al

p.s. Cheers for the lift Mike and Lizzie, mucho appreciated...no joyriding in the Fiesta though! ;)

[mr_e]

Good to hear you got there without any major issues, and that there are photos aplenty. I hope the weather's allowing you to make the most of your stay there, and don't forget that we'll be expecting a one hour Powerpoint presentation when you get back.

*whistles as he goes off to hot-wire Al's Fiesta*

[liz.brownlloyd]

Hi Al

So what is the weather like there? Are you going to go to the guggenheim? Have you seen anyone famous yet?

Sounds exciting!

Liz x

[Andy]

to mr_e,

You can have his fiesta, I'll have his MP3 player and Wii. A fair swop I think

*cough cough

[Mike]

Damn it Al, you should have told me earlier. I hope you were not too fond of little parts or your car. Bonnet, boot, doors et cetera. Nothing important was damaged.

I think Andy is getting the better deal, at least the Wii and MP3 player have a higher resale value!

[Andy]

:D

''Think before you steal'' mr_e, it's an old Leigh proverb

[Claire]

Question is: is the Fiesta worth robbing? Full tank or no?

[mr_e]

Someone always used to think Mike's was. But is it "joy" riding as such?

Spoke to a guy from work today, who actually said Times Square was relatively small, which surprised me. I shall await for Al's opinion on this matter during his NY debriefing session.

[Mike]

We have all the items ready for his debriefing. Including a bright light to shine in his eyes and lots of beer. . . .

[Andy]

Spoke to a guy from work today, who actually said Times Square was relatively small, which surprised me.

Yeah it is really when you think of what you imagine it to be.

[BarcelonAl]

So what is the weather like there? Are you going to go to the guggenheim? Have you seen anyone famous yet?

Weather is currently grey and coolish, was hot yesterday till three when it torrentially rained (so I ducked into Hard Rock Cafe and had fajitas!).

Went to the guggenheim last night for free (once a year festival thingy), very nice but very packed. They're renovating the outside so no photos of that I'm afraid!

And yes, I saw David Hyde Pierce (Niles from Frazier) coming out of the theatre he's performing in. No photos of that either as he was surrounded by crowds of autograph hunters and a couple of heavies!

Question is: is the Fiesta worth robbing? Full tank or no?

Yes there's a full tank, feel free to steal...I'll just claim off the insurance and get something with less rust!

Spoke to a guy from work today, who actually said Times Square was relatively small...

It is quite small, I guess the lights give a false level of perception.

Loads of photos so far (including some cool ones of the Brooklyn Bridge that only took half an hour to get right...!). Nearly didn't have any though...my sd card corrupted at the Statue of Liberty! Luckilly I had a spare and the first card just won't allow new photos to be taken on it...grrr technology!

Have a nice day y'all! :D I'm off to the Empire State Building (if the skies have cleared up!)

[Andy]

Question is: is the Fiesta worth robbing? Full tank or no?

Yes there's a full tank, feel free to steal...I'll just claim off the insurance and get something with less rust!

A tin can?

[Claire]

It's sooo annoying when famous tourist sites don't live up to the hype. has anyone else seen the Spanish Steps in Rome? You trudge for ages and expect a site spectacular, but there are more impressive stairways in the Trafford Centre!!! :?

[Mike]

I like visiting famous places, even if I have been disappointed I am always glad to see them. The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was very cool, the old bits were just as I expected but the newer concrete stuff was faintly weird and too smooth.

[Mike]

We collected Al from the airport today and he seemed well. I wonder how well he will feel after the long, long day. I hope the jet lag is not too bad mr al!