Last part of my recent journey through New York.

Beginning with a stroll in the rain through Central Park, just up from East 63rd Street. The colours were wonderful. There’s no enhancement of this photo.

We made our way across to the west side of the park at around 72nd to see the Strawberry Fields memorial to John Lennon, murdered outside his apartment block nearby. Inevitably – despite the rain – there was a bloke with an acoustic guitar singing “Strawberry Fields” and exhorting everyone to sing along. Give him credit for being a trouper in any weather.

We then walked up through the park, mostly along the east side, to the Guggenheim museum. The rain was relentless, as it was most of the day. But the views were still fantastic, if a little misty. It was hard to avoid the odd blob of rain on the lens, as with this one.

We queued for half an hour in the rain to get into the Guggenheim, but it was worth it. Never mind the amazing art, it just looks brilliant.

We then took the subway down to East Village to see St Mark’s Place, or should I say, the apartments which formed the front cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Physical Graffiti”! It’s fair to say that this wasn’t top of Kath’s visit list, especially in the rain; but we found a good cafe nearby and had an enjoyable lunch before venturing out in the rain again for that picture.

We ended up, after a brief shopping expedition, at Grand Central Station. It is very grand.

Last day was Thursday 29 November. Our flight wasn’t until 6pm, so we had a good chunk of the day to look around a bit more. We were staying on Madison and E63rd. Just looking down the big avenues is awe-inspiring.

This is Madison Avenue.

And this is 6th Avenue.

We spent a couple of hours in the Museum of Modern Art, with its range of modern exhibitions and an unbelievable collection of Impressionists, Picasso and many other great 20th painters. There was a little spot in one of the modern pieces that was very dear to my heart. A celebration of punk and new wave music.

One of Picasso’s great pictures – Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.

A last wander round some of the sights.

St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Rockefeller Centre.

The Chrysler, in its habitat. Lexington Avenue.

And finally, the oddly thin tower that’s gone up in Park Avenue.

An awesome city. I need an excuse to go back soon! I have a plan…