Play Ball, the Big Apple, and Blue People...

Rhiannon's visits in early April coincide with the start of the baseball season and, for the third year running, we were able to catch a game while she was here. This year looked promising for a balmy night at the ol' ball game; you see, when we walked out of Dulles Airport on her arrival it was 84 degrees. However, D.C. in April being what it is, that soon changed as a rather impressive thunderstorm overnight brought a cold front through, and the temperatures sunk dramatically (as some of the following pictures will show). So, to use some baseball jargon, we're "batting .1000" or "we're 3 for 3" (years, that is) for baseball being played in a chilly wind. As the innings passed, the shadows lengthened...and as the sun dipped below the horizon the temperature also fell dramatically. We left the game a bit early, particularly since it wasn't looking too promising for our team. Maybe next time... The rest of Rhiannon's trip was decidedly cool and even snowed over the weekend. No suntan for the girl to show off back in Selsey :(


We spent a couple of days shopping and generally hanging about the house. Chrystal was treated to a yummy dinner upon her arrival home from work on Thursday night--Shepherd's pie, steamed veggies and brownies for dessert. The chefs had produced a bounty! On Friday we headed up to New York City for a couple of nights.


We travelled up by train arriving at Penn(sylvania) Station during mid afternoon. Being Easter weekend the train was crowded but we were soon at our hotel and trying to decide the best way to see as much as possible. We decided to brave the long queue at the Empire State Building and despite a lengthy wait and some significant remodelling going on, we were on the 86th floor to watch the sun setting over New Jersey. Oooooh, aaaaaahhhh...


An impressive sight for sure. A few short breaks were spent inside the observation tower away from the brisk wind and occasional flakes of snow. As the sun set the lights came on and eventually we headed down to visit Macy's and Times Square in its crazy, sparkling madness

Saturday we spent a lot of time on the tour bus, walked in Central Park and visited a part of Greenwich Village that is trying to establish a label of 'Little Britain'.

On Saturday evening we attended the 'off Broadway' show by the Blue Man Group. Fortunately(!) we had been able to get seats in the second row, even though it was only a small 300 seat theatre, a rare treat. It was QUITE a show including the 'audience participation' skits, featuring at one point, the guy sitting in row two (oh yes, that would be Rob!!)


Back home to Alexandria Sunday night, and one final day of shopping with Chrystal on Monday. Then the ladies picked me up at my office on the way to the airport and we had to say goodbye to Rhiannon (always the worst part of the visit) :'(