Jet lag woke us early so we went down to breakfast at 6am and then headed out to the supermarket for a supply run. The place we are staying has a kitchenette so we can self-cater a little to save money. It was another cold but bright and sunny day.

The Garment District was coming to life with fashion shops and dressmakers opening up and rolls of fabric being delivered. Back at the hotel we had a coffee and then set out to walk the High Line. This former railway is now a planted raised pathway giving great views and in spring and summer a green world within the city.

It is also a place to display art including this work in metal, Physical Graffiti by Damián Ortega.

I could imagine that in summer, the seated areas are full of people enjoying the greenery. Now there are snowdrops under the bare trees, dried grasses and seed heads. Hamamelis (witch hazel) was one of the few other plants in flower.

I was also pleased to see that the city looks after animals.

We walked down from 30th Street to the end of the line in the Meatpacking District and then visited the largest secondhand bookshop in the world, Strand Books. It claims to have 18 miles of books over four floors, which is more than we have in Alsager Book Emporium. They even have some new books and music. I managed to come away having bought only one book, mindful of the time I had to unpack my case at Vancouver airport and give some books to James to put in his case because I had been to too many bookshops in the Pacific Northwest. It was clouding over when we came out and snow is forecast for tomorrow so after getting back to the hotel (over nine miles walked today), I sat for a little time in our room, sketching the buildings opposite. It is too cold to sit outside and I am determined to get back into the habit of drawing regularly.