We were flagging by Day 9 of our US trip. The oppressive heat, weird US spelling and lack of artisan sourdough were taking their toll. But we were perked up by the arrival of US Dave’s wonderful cousin Jan, who lived a few blocks away from our Pentagon City base and has probably been wondering… Continue reading FROM CHADDERTON TO THE CAPITOL

There’s 47, 875 songs about New York, New York, but only one about DC *. Yes, THAT Magnetic Fields, the ones who did a 69 song album. You left me in the Ear wondering how we’d spent $53 in 2 hours.  Sadly, it got worse as Mrs RM demanded I take her to the Blind… Continue reading WASHINGTON D.C.

  Our last day in New York, and Mrs RM reckoned we should do a museum. My idea of a museum is either a provincial town one like Crewkerne, packed with 1950s cereal packets, or a Modern Art gallery with exhibits made from broccoli. But the Met it was. I cannot begin to describe how… Continue reading NEW YORK STATE OF MIND – BASS IN THE EAR

Yes, no bandwagon too high for me to jump on. This reminder of America’s urgent desire to send men to a place without a craft beer bar in 1969 was spotted on Nostrand Avenue, as we headed into Chinatown on Day 6. From the photographic evidence, there’s no pubs today, probably a good idea after… Continue reading LOOK THERE’S THE CARLYLE

  Yes, a bit of Dylan, from before he went weird/wired. “Grabbed hold of a subway car And after a rocking, reeling, rolling ride I landed up on the downtown side Greenwich Village“ From the Staten ferry I walked to Greenwich Village via Tribeca, an area that accounts for 62% of total New York coffee… Continue reading TALKIN’ NEW YORK

Loads of songs about Staten Island, apparently, but the Wu-Tang Clan miss out to XTC in today’s song title shoot off.  Not Andy Partridge’s greatest moment, but then neither was Tower of London. Thanks for all those advising me to take the free ferry to Staten.  The chances of us missing out on a freebie… Continue reading STATUE OF LIBERTY

On that 4th evening I was left to explore Williamsburg on my own. To be fair, my answer to their question; “What’s Williamsburg got, anyway” was “Hispsters and craft beer”. Oh, and it’s been called “the most toxic place to live in America“. Oddly, it reminded me of the Northern Quarter, minus the Victorian pubs… Continue reading A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE (WELL, WILLIAMSBURG)

Sorry for only managing one post yesterday.  The internet ran out in Durham, which was completed to the backdrop of High Force waterfall.  I know how to live. I also knew that because the Guardianista writers at the New York Rough Guide are so sniffy about Coney Island was all the more reason to spend… Continue reading CONEY ISLAND BABY

Yes, my attempt to blog the American trip entirely by New York musical references continues apace.  Look out for future classics from Kajagoogoo, the Wu-Tang Clan and Anton Bruckner, possibly. We walked off the hummus and chimichangas on a stroll alongside the Hudson to the Lincoln Center, a place best known for the quality of… Continue reading EMPIRE STATE HUMAN