Fortunately we got chatting to a guy from New Jersey this morning who had just travelled down from New York on a BMW R1200 and was on his way to Florida. He recommended catching the ferry from Lewes in Delaware to Cape May in New Jersey as this would cut out a lot of riding round Washington and Philadelphia. As the weather was still wet we decided this would be a good idea and set off about 08.30. It was a gloomy ride to the port but the rain had stopped by the time we arrived. We had an hour to wait for the next ferry which was a roll on roll off type and as we were parked at the very front which was totally open, John decided to put his bike cover over the bike to stop it getting covered in sea spray. We ended up spending the one and a half hour crossing leaning on the bike to stop it being blown over. The captain said the crossing would be medium to rough and he was right! 

 

Here we are outside the Holiday Inn, Manhattan after a very long and very wet day. I have to say, riding into New York was a new experience! Every few miles you are stopping to pay tolls and they are only $1.50 or 75 cents but it was a pain having to take wet gloves off and delve into my purse and then try to put wet hands back into gloves. The traffic is horrendous with no quarter given. At one point we were going over a bridge with 8 lanes going forward and we could see either side had 4 lanes each going back the other way. Have never seen anything like it especially with the rain pouring down.

When I checked in, I was not very happy to be told that we couldn't park the bike in the underground car park next door as they were only insured for cars. This is now 4pm and what were we to do with the bike? Our only hope was that the BMW dealer down the road, where the bike is booked in for a service tomorrow, would take the bike in tonight. We rode down there and the Service Manager couldn't have been more helpful. He told us to go back to the hotel, unload the bike then bring it back and they would keep it overnight and service it first thing in the morning. He even offered us a Tetley tea bag from the pack he keeps in the drawer. It seems they have an English guy working there whose Mum sends over supplies and he now has a liking for it. It was the first cup of tea we have had in 10 weeks and it was lovely! 

 

 

View from hotel window - nothing exciting but we are only 3 blocks from Times Square. Luckily I booked this a few nights ago on booking.com for $189. We had decided to book a second night but when I looked at it the next night, if I wanted 2 nights it would cost $600 - so no way, we will move on tomorrow night out of the city.