RULE NUMBER 7.

Bleecker Street Records - Fat Cat

Lower East Side

Lower East Side

The Sweet Life Shop - Lower East Side

Lower East Side

Lower East Side

Ben & Jerry's Icecream....so much choice

Hey people,

Rule Number 7.

Preparing for a 'cold snap'

So...I need to think about what's happened the last few days.

Tuesday was one very wet day! After a little snow and mainly rain overnight, there were puddles everywhere in the streets. We got up early to do our gym workout and what usually takes us a 5 minute walk...took 15 minutes. It's a tricky business dodging the slippery, icy parts and then also dodging the ankle deep puddles at every street you try to cross. I was holding onto Adam pretty tight as we made our way there.

Adam went on his way for the day and I got ready to explore and photograph the Lower East Side. Umbrella - check. Camera - check. I was out for about 10 minutes and came home. I decided it wasn't worth the risk of slipping over OR damaging the camera. So that was that! No much else to report on that day :)

Wednesday was a better day and the water/ice had drained away thankfully. Camera in hand, I walked through the Lower East Side area - only 5 minute walk from our apartment. There are some great restaurants and bars around the area but I wouldn't rave about it. I didn't get the feeling I get from places like East Village, Greenwich Village etc. I think it may eventually become gentrified like the villages but it's not quite there yet. I did, however, find the shop "The Sweet Life" which stocks jars of Vegemite ($11.99!!) and Tim Tams ($5.99) - score! Will go back if I get desperate.

Once Adam got home, we wandered up around the corner to have a feed. We'd been wanting to try out the local Irish pub called "Mary O's" and it did not disappoint. A nice, dimly lit, stylish pub with a classy pub menu. Friendly staff too.

Entree consisted of Stuffed Mushrooms and Crab Cakes shared between us. Adam chose the Fish & Chips for the main and I chose Shepherds Pie (BEST I've ever had...sorry Mum!!) All that food came to $40! Total bargain. Mary O's was a great find and we'll definitely be back to try some more of their delights.

Today, a trip to Greenwich Village. Arriving at lunchtime, I wander up and down Bleecker Street. I visited our old friend, the cat at Bleecker Street Records...he was there in his usual spot, all warm and fat. I gave him a quick pat, looked at the records and then decided to walk all the way up to the famous Magnolia Bakery. It was pretty busy so I didn't stick around to purchase any cupcakes...guessing I'll go back there at some stage. Feeling a little peckish I decide to stop for my first purchase of a NY slice of pizza! And it was worth all the $3 that I paid. Bleecker Street Pizza have a famous one - mozzarella, fresh italian sauce and basil. Simple and YUM. Having wandered around Greenwich Village enough, I head on home for the day. Todays bit of entertainment on the train - a man loudly making a speech about how much he loves New York. Then a band started playing, guitar, accordion and all. Just the usual!

Adam is out at a Q&A tonight with the editor of "The Silence Of The Lambs" - great experience for him. He'll write the next blog and update everyone on the course/his adventures.

We're being told to prepare for a 'cold snap' this weekend as the temperature gets down to -4 both Saturday and Sunday (during the day!) It's supposed to snow again soon...which will be nice as the white is starting to disappear and melt away.

Speak to you again soon!

Much love, Gem & Ads xx