Day Four

Today we had time to ourselves so today was the day we would visit 9/11 Ground Zero and place the blue (for police officers) wreaths. So we set off armed with instructions from my granddaughter, Lauren, on how to navigate the NY subway system. We walked to the station boarded the train and travelled the seven stops to the World Trade Centre. We found the memorial and placed the two police blue wreaths at the Tree of Life. I placed mine on behalf of the Thames Valley branch of the International Police Association (IPA) and Sandra, whose father was PC Bill (Dixie) Dean of the Norfolk Constabulary, on behalf of the British Police. We took our own photos but there was plenty of other interest. I knew there was once a police patch collection in the nearby church so I found a nearby cop and asked where it had been relocated to. He informed me it is in O’Hara’s pub next to the church. We entered the pub and was greeted by the guv’ner I told him what I wanted to do so he gave me a staple gun and said, “If you can find a spot, you’re welcome” I did find a spot and stapled my IPA patch amp the thousands of others. Having placed an IPA patch in a pub I thought it only right to have a pint of the stuff. After our drink we returned to Ground Zero and went into the museum. Whilst it obviously depicts a horrific episode it is done with solemnity and good taste. We exited the museum and found our way back to the subway station and took the train back to 8th Avenue and walked back to the hotel.

After a beverage and a sticky bun we reassembled in the lobby. We boarded a coach and were taken to a neighbourhood caller Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. Here the residents light up their homes for Christmas. I’ve seen lit up houses before but never on this scale. After our walk around we boarded the coach and had a very entertaining journey in evening traffic to mid town Manhattan.

I must now mention that whist we still have week to go of this holiday tomorrow we board the Queen Mary 2 and I very much doubt I shall have access to t’internet. I shall however be preparing something and post it at the first opportunity. Below is a link to Dyker Heights.