Xmas Lights and Brooklyn

Thanksgiving has come and gone. We spent the time in Tampa Bay, a 3 hour flight south of New York. We stayed with Chuck and Lee, Stephen's sister in law and her husband. It was great, fantastic weather and it was wonderful to meet and be welcomed by Chuck and Lees friends.  See PB, Lee, Chuck and PB below.

We arrived back on Saturday afternoon, 27th November. The Xmas lights have just started. We  headed downtown through Columbus Circle where we began with the  lighting appetizers. The little ones before the real ones are switched on the Monday evening. Below are a couple of photos to tantalise the enthusiast. 

We then headed downtown through Times Square to Macy's. People, there are millions of them. All madly clicking away to record their visit. Kodak must rue the day digital cameras were invented. Macy's  front window was spectacular. Not a traditional Xmas window. It was more about the fascination of space. Nevertheless the children we many rows deep to make sure they got to see windows. 

Sunday was a glorious day so we dusted down the bikes and rode out over  Brooklyn Bridge to Prospect Park which is well downtown in Brooklyn. In 1858 Frederick Law Olmsted and Cavert Vaux referred to their creation, Central Park, as "a single work of art, an outdoor museum, one without walls. In 1859 the planning of Prospect Park was commenced by James Stranahan. the now famous Olmsted and Vaux were commissioned to plan the 320 acre (Central Park is 843 acres) into a park that " would become a favourite resort for all classes of our community, enabling thousands to enjoy pure air, with healthful exercise, at all seasons of the year". Notwithstanding the influence of Olmsted and Vaux it was Stranahan who has been given the credit for all the Prospect Park has to offer. The woods, the lakes, the winding tracks and zoos make it a must visit park.  It was finally completed in 1891.  

Downtown Brooklyn we found the Dud Pie shop. It was famous for Australian and New Zealand pies and great coffee. The coffee was great, the pies were dud. Our 45k bike ride took us home via Red Hook an old working wharf area through cobblestone streets and ruined warehouses. Interesting. It doesn't matter how many time you cross Brooklyn Bridge it has a wonderful fascination. It was a great ride.