View from the 32nd storey offices of Oliver Wyman is stupendous

Hi everyone

Tim, when in New York at his office, has the best view ever to mid-town Manhattan. At present he is mainly in Boston advising a bank on restructuring, so we were really lucky to see him in his habitat. In typical New York fashion he works regular 16 hour days. Not only did we visit his spectacular office, but also he had time to have dinner with us in the trendy Vynl eatery.

Meanwhile in Toronto, James was playing and he was then on the plane to La Guardia from whence he dipped down into the subway and joined us and Tim at dinner. A really nice family night out - good to see the cousins hitting it off so well. James had to depart to do a gig in a clothing store in Soho (NYC) and then on the dawn plane to Montreal to do another gig at a park in the afternoon on Sunday. Tim hoped to meet us on Sunday but re-working figures for meetings on Monday in Boston took all his time.

We went on to spend a nice day in Central Park and to re-visit the Frick Collection with fine Holbeins, Van Dycks, Reynolds, El Grecos and many other great masters. Then to the Rockerfeller Centre, with a mind-blowing Lego shop and a lovely Museum of Modern Art Store.

Staying at the Algonquin was a heaven of peace in the hurly burly of New York and on Monday night Charles dropped in after five meetings and we went out to dinner.

Tuesday lunch with Paul Kram, Ivor's nephew, and Jennifer and a great whizz on the Subway with Paul. He was so thrilled as he has just passed his exam to enable him to operate as a financial advisor since the travel business is in decline with the growth of the Internet. It was so nice to meet Jennifer who sadly had to rush off to a meeting with lawyers to sort out a case about her former restaurant.

Finally off to the MoMA for exhibitions of "The History of the Modern Kitchen" and fine works by Monet. Matilda the Algonquin cat, who is a cool laid back New Yorker, sends cursory good wishes to all our readers - then off to JFK, then jet-lagged (for us) Breakfast on Wednesday at St Pancras with Darrell and on to home.

Love to you all

J&C

ps - Will send a small selection of the 856 stills to you in the next week or so.

pps - We finally did get custard excellently made by Charles in Washington.