Mad Men Series 4 World Premiere at Times Square

Believe it or not, two years in NYC and we still don't have a tele, so we joined 7,000 other Mad Men fans at Times Square tonight for the world premiere of the 4th series at 9pm tonight; it is obviously very popular here. it was screened an hour before it aired on TV. Before the screening, Betty and Peggy were introduced to the crowd so we can add January Jones and Elizabeth Moss to the celebrity watch list; we were standing only a few feet from the stage. Don't want to spoil the plot for anyone, but things didn't start well for Don. In hot water at work, and tension between him, Betty and Henry....

our 2nd anniversary in NYC & a tornado watch

This week marks our 2nd anniversary of relocating to NYC and we like to celebrate it by having dinner downtown as we stayed in Tribeca our first 2 nights in 2008. as pic shows, we went to Bistro de la Gare (yes they had confit of duck on the menu, but Monica had a steak and paul had spaghetti vongole). the heat continues, and altho not qualifying for a heatwave officially, it is on track to be the hottest July on record (it was also pretty hot when we moved here 2 years ago) so severe weather warnings are frequent but today's was a bit different as we are on a tornado watch until 1 am. Some spectacular clouds and then heavy rain and lightning but winds pretty calm

happy birthday to katie from NYC

Today is the first time, after 26 years, neither of us have been there to celebrate Katie's birthday with her. at least we could skype.

This blog has lost the plot recently - too much Millerton and SW France, and not enough NYC. So you may have heard we have been in the grips of a record-breaking heatwave (a US heatwave is officially 3 days in a row > 95F: today is Day 16). No relief in sight, and it is still 31C at 8.30 pm tonight... but there are also thunderstorms sweeping across the US and we got some spectacular clouds this evening, but no rain

cycling in the Dordogne: the post-script

Back in NY, and brought our bikes to Millerton for the weekend. as well the 34 km return trip on the Rail Trail, this morning we cycled 25 km over to Salisbury & Lakeville, CT. Just being on the other side of the North Atlantic from France, may be not surprising there are geographical similarities, including killer hills. Also similar farming styles. Even found a bottle of Cahors malbec in the local wine store. Coincidentally, along the way there was an 'estate sale' (the ultimate garage sale) at the mansion of the recently-deceased John Rudd, who lived in a Civil War-era mansion on 10 acres in Lakeville - complete with French shutters.

cycling in the Dordogne: the denoument

we are back in NYC

cycling in the Dordogne: Day 6

Final ride turned out to be 25km, and first hour was tough up the hill through the cliffs of St Cirq Lapopie, but then it was flat up the top of the plateau followed an equally easy descent over several km down to the Lot River and the final 10km undulating into this country town of 20,000 and finishing at the appropriately named, 19th century Hotel Terminus, across the street from the railway station, where we are spending our last night.

Officially we (Monica & Paul) did 285 km in total and the others closer to 400. Fortunately it was uneventful apart from the odd puncture, with no injuries and basically just a lot of smiles.

We would recommend Cyclomundo and their local operator Decouvertes- et-Loisirs to anyone planning to do a similar trip. The organization of the tour and the itinerary, instructions, accommodations, porterage and roadside service were impeccable. So was the communication before hand. it was also excellent value.

cycling in the Dordogne: Day 5

A relatively easy 46 km today, from Grezes to St Cirq Lapopie. Hot and sunny again, but mostly flat rolling through medieval towns along the Cele River, then a steep 2km climb after lunch to visit the caves at Pech Merle with prehistoric paintings. Tomorrow, alas, is just 15 km into our final destination of Cahors. it has been the trip of a life time, and we are all very grateful to jenny Power for organizing it. Merci beaucoup, Madame!

cycling in the Dordogne: Day 4

A much easier day today, cooler and a few showers (as forecast) and much flatter. It was much more enjoyable. From Rocamadour cycled south via Miers and Padirac to to the market village of Gamat for lunch, then on via old stone towns of Rehillac and Espedialliac to our destination of Grezes.

Rocamadour
Miers
near Gamat
Espedaillac

Cycling in the Dordogne:Day 3

limited internet qccess here at Rocamadour qnd pictures will be added later. It was a hard hot ride. officially we are no longer in the Dordogne, but the Lot district

cycling in the Dordogne: rest day in Sarlat, Saturday July 10th

we are half way, and today's rest day in Sarlat coincides with market day in this beautiful medieval town. Also shown is the hotel we are staying at here; great to be able to have a swim at the end of another fine sunny day, 29C

cycling in Dordogne: more scenery from the south of France