Our arrival was spectacular. We approached from the sea, up
a marked channel and under a bridge, the Verrazano Narrows, I think. Then right
past the Statue of Liberty and into the Hudson River, with a fabulous view of
lower Manhattan. We then turned left into a small channel off the Hudson in New
Jersey, where we docked in the Liberty Marina, which is on the edge of Liberty
State Park. As always, a lovely welcome awaited us. First photos, lots of hugs
and greetings. Roberto, a New Yorker and Singapore crew from legs 3 & 6,
arrived with a cart full of beer and champagne. More photos, this time on the
transom, with a couple of crew from other boats, including Rich Hewson, the
skipper of Gold Coast, putting on a red shirt to join team Singapore. Just a
short walk away, we then had a wonderful meal, at the restaurant close to the
marina, where Greg eats regularly as, when not sailing with Clipper, he lives
on his boat in this marina. He had booked a table for us, so although it was
packed, being Saturday night, a table appeared for us. A good steak just tastes
devine after being at sea. In the garden, a walled fireplace held a large fire,
with people toasting marshmallows, and from this garden we had an amazing view
of Manhattan, now at night, with all the coloured lights of the buildings
looking so pretty.
Afterwards Phil, Sarah and I went off to the apartment we
were staying in New Jersey, right on the smart waterfront, with again a great
view of Manhattan. The next day Greg and his marina friends and neighbours did
a barbecue for us and it was very relaxing to just sit around and chill, with
cold drinks and tasty meat to eat. Then two days of working on the boat and
helping M with the victualing for the next leg.
I love New York and I love New Yorkers. My first day in the
city, I walked around Soho and Greenwich, with Chantal. We did a bit of clothes
shopping in between, then met up with Jeff, who is Chinese but lives in Tokyo,
at a restaurant in Chinatown. Then we walked up 5th Avenue to Central Park,
where in the early evening about 50 of the Clipper Crews were doing a 6k run in
the park in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee and to promote Britain 2012. I
had only heard about it too late to apply but not sure my tired body could have
done it anyway. I was amazed to see several people finishing, having run in
their deck shoes.
On our journey back to New Jersey, via the subway and the
Path, a local train network, we again were treated to the kindness of the
locals. It has happened at least once a day, that you are just standing looking
at the map and someone says "Where do you want to go". They then help
you out, either with directions or even walking you to your destination. On the
subway, people ask to check you are on the right train. Not at all like London,
much more friendly! I moved my stuff over to the hotel in NYC we are currently
staying. In the evening I met up with five others and we went for a meal at a
Michelin started pub in Greenwich, The Spotted Pig. Having waited 2 1/2 hours
for table, we did have a very tasty meal. Coming out at midnight, with rain
hurtling down, we were lucky enough to get a taxi back. Apparently taxis are
hard to get in Manhattan in the rain. Steve and Chris then arrived at the hotel
and we all crashed out exhausted, me from general sailing and sight-seeing
fatigue and they from the journey. Now we have walked across Brooklyn Bridge
and been up the Empire State Building. Two more days to enjoy here and then a
day of boat preparation and we'll be off.
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