New York New York

What a fabulous city! We all loved New York and the twelve days we spent there were not enough.

It started on a high since the hotel mixed up our booking so our first night at the Smyth Tribeca was spent relaxing in their penthouse suite. Unfortunately it was for one night only but we made the most of the suite, which was twice the size of our place with a huge terrace overlooking the New York skyline.

On the Thursday before the swim Team Renford went on the Circle Line tour around Manhattan Island. It was great to see exactly what he would be swimming and for the boys to learn a little more about the currents and landmarks for the swim.

We went out for a big group dinner on the Lower East Side.

Lily with Tomas (Roger Federer lookalike)

The day of the swim was a beautiful sunny day and the conditions were perfect for the swim. Lily enjoyed playing with Tomas, Lucas and Sofia while I was following Murph around Manhattan Island - thank you to Vicky and Michelle.
This was our ride for the day - thanks Phil!

Murph and Tony with their medals
We stayed in Tribeca and we loved this area - so many places to eat, good vibe and a short walk to SoHo, NoHo, NoLita, Little Italy, Chinatown and Battery Park (where Fede lived).

Lily with Mary - she loved helping her behind the reception desk every day. SoHo Greenwich Village

Times Square

Carnegie Deli - this is only half a 'Woody Allen' sandwich (pastrami and roast beef) - it was huge!
Lily gathering all of the toys at wonderful FAO Schwartz

No, we didn't bring Clifford home with us although she did try

Dinner with Tony and Jenny at Bule
We met Isabel for breakfast in SoHo Central Park

Bryant Park - the impressive black building was our hotel for the last few nights in NY

Atop the Empire State Building
of course the view does not compare to popcorn....
Lily and Diego at the Manhattan Childrens Museum The Guggenheim

Lily and daddy at the MET

The impressive rooftop terrace at the MET What a view - thank you Betsy for taking us onto the terrace for the magnificent view!

Lily and Betsy

Highlights: Frozen yoghurt at Bloomingdales, walking down 5th Avenue, red velvet cupcake from The Magnolia Bakery, seeing Geoffrey Rush in Exit the King (fabulous - it was the play he won the Tony Award for), strolling through Central Park, the MET, the sea lion show at Central Park Zoo, shopping at Woodbury Common, Yankees game, dinner at Bule, seeing the NEw Tork skyline and Central Park from Betsy's terrace and the swim of course.

A big thank you to Fede and Michelle for all of their advice and recommendations on where to eat, shop and play.

Too cute

I forgot to post this photo of Lily doing yoga the night before we left on the trip - it got her in the right frame of mind for the long flight. I'm sure her business class seat also helped.