Well, we covered almost everything we had on the plan, apart from the Empire State Building and the bicycle hire in Central Park. We canned going up the Empire State Building because the helicopter flight was delayed - as we’d already been to The Top of The Rock there seemed little point, especially given that the weather had closed in. We also canned the bike ride in Central park because the weather was so good we just decided to stroll around the city.

Special thanks to

• Mike for a great rickshaw ride from Times Square-ish to Greenwich Village via Empire State - you looked knackered, mate, but thanks for the entertainment.
• Everyone at Smalls Jazz Club, especially for the continual top-ups of water and excellently strong, black coffee. The musicians were superb, and I can’t wait to come back.
• New York’s Finest for helping with directions and posing for photos. All the officers we spoke with were incredibly friendly people - you’re great, guys & dolls!
• Apple Store 5th Avenue for letting us “just hang out to enjoy the store” at 5am.
• Mike & Rachel for all the suggestions and crazy enthusiasm for this dumb-ass idea of mine.

Photos and a full trip report to follow some time this week. I’m shattered, having just 7 hours sleep during the 71 hours from 7am (BST) Friday to 6am (BST) Monday.

Just finished working, telling the others, “Have a good weekend. See you Monday.” It’s weird because I’ll be in New York between now and then. It’s still not real, even though I’ve checked in.

I’ve been rather lazy in figuring out what to do during the early hours of Sunday morning. I take no credit for what’s on this list, though I am excited that we’ll be packing so much in. Times are local.

08.55 Leave LHR
11.20 Arrive JFK (get Time Out NY)
12.30 Leave airport (Taxi)

14.00 Central Park - Bicycle Hire at Loeb Boathouse
16.00 5th Ave, Tiffanys, FAO Schwarz
18.00 Rockefeller Centre for sunset (18.30)
19.00 Broadway
20.00 Comedy Club
22.00 Times Square
23.00 Marriott View Lounge
00.00 Empire State Building
01.00 This is where I need to get off my arse and
02.00 figure out what to do for the next two hours.
03.00 Small’s Jazz Club
04.00 It’s New York, Baby! There must
05.00 be something worth doing, right!?
06.00 Staten Island Ferry (06.30-07.30)
08.00 Brooklyn Bridge (subway to Brooklyn and walk back across bridge)
09.00 Helicopter Flight - Pier 6
10.00 Wall St to WTC
11.00 WTC
12.00 Flat Iron Building
13.00 I need to plan something for this hour, too.
14.00 Grand Central Station - lunch at Oyster Bar
15.00 Head to airport
16.00 Check in at JFK and hit the bar
18.15 Fly home

Well, it’s time to start thinking about what we need to take in terms of camera gear, clothing, and so on. Actually, it’s time to start thinking about what we can take. Given that we’ll have to travel micro-light because we’ll have nowhere to leave stuff during the day it’s vital that we only pack absolute essentials. For me that means passport, ‘phone, camera (plus memory cards and batteries), money and a credit card. If events dictate that I need anything else I’ll send Mr Mastercard on his merry way to sort it out.

I can’t wait to see what my 24hCB Buddy wants to bring.