2007 -New York - Oj & Sarah

December: The journey began with a Big Cheese & Ham sandwhich from cafe Amore. It was tradition, especially since the legendary Joe Cubas cafe had closed down. Gordaz was in there; I grabbed a sandwhich to take with me to the airport (as I usually do when I'm making a big trip).

An easy ride to Heathrow. Onto a Virgin Atlantic, whiskey & coke, several glasses of wine, nice food and a choice of about 30 films... I see a familiar jaw and browline... there's Ron Pearlman! Mr Hellboy, Mr Chronos.

It was a Big trip for a lot of reasons; primary amongst them is the fact this feels like me reconnecting with some mainline vein of life again, after the 2 years out on the periphery of reality and deep within my own world.

On the flight I 'm reflecting on the person I used to be back when I first did this journey - late 1998... one year into my stint at the Agency; I guess the only things that have really changed is the punky blonde hair replaced by a thinning mop of mousey colour, and I no longer crave the night-thrill of clubbing. But as always I was looking forward to just pounding pavement for hour after hour, drinking coffee, camping out in cafes spending hours on my writing.

Landing in JFK we were met by Sean (my first time meeting him), who was a complete star and drove us all the way back to New Jersey to Ramona's place. Walking into her place was like stepping into a little slice of heaven: the lighting, heat, scent, it is so cosy, inviting, welcoming, you just want to curl up on the sofa and share good times with good people. The sofa was our bed, a monster of ultimate comfort when folded out, large enough for Sarah, Jo and I to sleep without claustrophobia. I drank an ice cold bottle of beer and got to watch " A Miracle on 34th Street" for the first time.

The first morning I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee simmering in the pot; I drank a couple mugs black, and ate some more of Ramona's amaaaazing pumpkin pie.

This is Ramona's kitchen; her apartment is in New Jersey, on the Western edge of the Hudson river overlooking Manhattan. Jo is tucking into the remains of the pie.

2007 -New York -

December: This is the view from Ramona's apartment that first morning... a richly familiar view to me, although I had never been to New York this late in the year... had never seen New York with snow... the bulk of the view is lost in the snowy fog. Manhattan (across the river) is concealed in the distance.

2007 -New York -

December: when I first came to New York (my first time in America) back in 1998, I was full of emotive daydreams... Angel Heart, The Hunger, and all things Lovecraftian, especially the Cthulhu campaign Masks of Nyarlathotep. This is one of those moments that brings all those feelings back; I can't explain it... but it's more than just bricks, mortar and cast iron.

2007 -New York - Ramona, Oj, Sarah

December: outside Ramona's apartment, heading into the city. Normally, heading into the city involves standing on this street corner and sticking a hand out to stop one of the numerous gypsy vans that come flying past every 5 minutes or so. Today however, we were given a ride by Sean and joined by David, Ramona's brother.

2007 -New York - Ramona

December: driving into the city.

2007 -New York - Sarah, David, Oj, Ramona

December: Central Park; Sean dropped us off around the 70's on the West side of the park. We strolled in and then South.

2007 -New York

December: Central Park; there was a whole line of these, many more than are visible on the photograph... but I think this shot has more meaning if you realise the vehicles belong to the New York Police Department.

2007 -New York - Djr

December: Central Park.

2007 -New York - David, Sarah, Oj, Ramona

December: Central Park; despite being in the first grip of winter, many trees were still full of firey colours.

2007 -New York

December: Central Park - Alice in Wonderland; this was my first time back to this sculpture since the first and only day I'd been there, back in November 1998... with Raymond F.

2007 -New York

December: Central Park; Statue of Hans Christian Anderson.

2007 -New York

December: we left Central Park and carried on South, walking through mid-town, stopping off at a fantastic place for brunch (a bargain at only $37 per head...jesus, thank God for the good exchange rate of $2 to the £1.

2007 -New York

December.

2007 -New York - Sarah, Oj, Ramona, David

December.

2007 -New York - Oj, Sarah

December.

2007 -New York

December: heading downtown.

2007 -New York - Ramona, Djr

December.

2007 -New York

December.

2007 -New York

December.

2007 -New York

December.

2007 -New York

December.

2007 -New York

December: it can really surprise you to see anything looking so old amidst such a mammoth bulk of modernity...but they exist, these historical nuggest of stone amongst the poured concrete, steel, chrome and plate glass.

2007 -New York

December.

2007 -New York

December.

2007 -New York

December: it was time to leave the city and head back to Ramona's pad.

2007 -New York - Oj

December.

2007 -New York

December: we made our way back through Times Square to a street corner near Port Authority, from there we could pick up the gypsy vans that return through the Lincoln Tunnel into New Jersey.

2007 -New York

December: this is the view from outside Ramona's apartment; it renders me awestruck each and every time I see it, no matter how many times I come here.

2007 -New York

December: this is a similar shot but with more context; at the edge of the street is a sheer cliff drop down to a small condo complex, and the western shore of the Hudson river.

Ramona went shopping and came back with supplies to make more pumpkin pie...she also brought back a monster bottle of vodka: which I began to demolish with great pleasure. We spent the evening munching on pasta, then settling down to watch more Chritsmas movies.