The Blog is on vacation in Hawaii this week

Honolulu sunset

Diamond Head, Waikiki

Q: Why do you need waterproof boots in the snow?

A: Because by lunchtime it turns into a slushy mess that will ruin your other shoes

Yet another winter wonderland on the Upper East Side

The 5th snow storm of the year that started yesterday (Jan 26th) dumped another 19 inches (50 cm) of snow in Central Park, much more than the 5-8 inches predicted. we measured 14 inches on our terrace. Most of these snows seem to occur overnight, presumaly related to the temperature dropping, so you never know what you are going to wake up to. Today, the heavy snow was deposited when there was no wind, leaving some curious formations.

Australia Day in NYC, 2011

No beach, barbie or beer here today. Work as normal, and got up to 3C from a low of -2C. Plus more snow with an accumulation of 15-20cm expcted overnight.


Tonight's Australia Day Party: CANCELLED!!!

more exciting: skiing at Catamount

Went skiing at Catamount today, on the NY/MA border about 35 km N of Millerton. As the pictures show, it was excellent. Blue sky but chilly (-10C but this kept the crowds away), no lift queues, great view from the top, spectacular snow and ice formations on the hemlock trees and lots of powder after all the snow during the week. The skiing is better at Catamount than Butternut (bigger, steeper mountain, longer trails, trails wider apart, more variety) but amenities are more basic and can get crowded being only 2.5 hours from NYC. Next time, we will try Jiminy Peak the other mountain around here but about an hour N, near Lenox MA.

Millerton in the snow

They must have had 3 feet of snow since we were last up. A bright blue sky but bitterly cold: -2F (almost -20C) at 7 am

our cabin

our street

our stairs

our backyard

...but at least a cozy breakfast nook inside

Not too exciting

Saturday here, we just went for a wander and some lunch. We took the (huge) pumpkin that Paul bought for a thanksgiving decoration down to the compost bin at Union Square and then dropped off some electronic waste (broken camera and old phone and phone chargers etc) to a collection point. Then some lunch at Eataly a new Italian food hall place: naff name but really good. Not too exciting

Perfect weather for a warm apple cider

Composting bin at Union Square. Our photo was taken by a Singaporean film maker making a documentary on organic food around the world

then around the corner to the e-waste drop-off

followed by a pork brachiole for lunch at Eataly

not exactly BBQ season, but if we try to grill sausages indoors it makes the fire alarm go off.