Arrived in the 6th state of my rapid trip around New England and the final stop in grand old New York, looking scrumptious in the spring sunshine. Decided not to drive into the city, so dumped my car in Stamford and caught the Metro North West, just 60 minutes into Grand Central Station and the heart of Manhattan.

The cherry blossom is out all over the city, turning the sidewalks into grand corridors carpeted with flowers, as well as the usual garbage and roadworks festooning the town.

Tried out the new city bikes scheme, the same as London's Boris bike idea. It's great as it makes short journeys across town so much easier, if you can avoid the traffic which races through the streets. And the tourists aimlessly ambling over the road. And the pot holes. And the cycle rickshaws.

Took in a couple of of shows by getting tickets from the half price box office. Even half price they are more expensive than London. I'm sure they used to be comparable. Saw Pippin and Bullets over Broadway, both very different but very entertaining.

Took a trip down to Ground Zero. Last time I entered that space in 1995 I traveled to the 120th floor for a stunning view down the whole island. Nowhere are two massive pits where the towers stood, marked by a suturing water feature pouring into a black void. The names of all who last their lives in the terrible events of 9/11 are inscribed around the base of the towers.

Home tomorrow after a trip around Liberty Island.

Finished my travels in New York which is like entering a different country.

The city is mad and chaotic, but lovable all the same. It has an energy that you don't find anywhere else. I think it's because Manhattan is a island, there is nowhere for the energy to escape to so it all pushes up.

Walked down to Brooklyn, crossing the famous bridge for a wonderful view of the end of the island. The topped off the new World Trade Center building today, it is now officially the highest building in the country at 1778 feet.

Summer is finally coming and it was a beautiful day in Central Park today. Many people of many bizarre shapes and sizes, out enjoying the sunshine. I walked my feet off.

Spent a couple of days in New York. It's my fifth visit but still feel the thrill on arriving. It certainly had a feel all of its own, the energy is almost visible while standing in Times Square watching the world race by. It was the Marathon on Sunday so saw all the poor entrants plodding towards the finish line. A very picturesque end to the long trek around the island. At least the runners had sun unlike today when we had wind rain and sleet. Took a walk down to the financial district and visited the Ground Zero museum. It always is sobering seeing the pictures of the missing and dead lining the room. One woman started giving a talk about some of the victims, including a young firefighter who was killed while trying to rescue people from the towers. She filled in all the details of his life and how they found his money which was linked to him via the DNA on the dollar bills. it was all very emotional, especially at the end when she said "and that was my son."

Last day so just sitting in central park, enjoying the beautiful sunshine, watching the fun runners and reflecting on my trip. I`ve visited 13 states, plus the District of Columbia, slept in 25 rooms and driven 4500 miles, which is more than enough to get me home if there was a bridge long enough. So it`s been quite a journey. I won`t miss traffic lights which stay on red forever, groups of American school kids or the rabid ranting on talk radio and Fox News. But I will miss the wonderful countryside, the bustling cities and the friendly people. And so much of the country still to explore. I must sort out some leave when I get back.

Caught the subway downtown. Walked around Ground Zero to see if much has changed. The actual site still looks much as it did 18 months ago, but I`m sure a lot has been done out of sight. It`s still a massive hole in the ground, about 8 stories deep. The is a memorial museum now with some moving exhibits. Lots of personal stories which bring home how some families suffered. Walked over the Brooklyn bridge for some stunning views of Manhattan and wandered around wall street and Battery Park. This evening went up to the viewing platform at the top of the Rockafella building. Amazing view of the whole city lit up like the Rockafella Christmas tree.

Dumped my car at Newark Airport and got the train in the city. Very glad I did and that I didn`t attempt to drive in. I had forgotten how mad this city is. After my weeks of a relaxing tour around the country, coming into the city makes you feel much as a soap bubble feels in a washing machine. Great vibe though. The sun has been out all day but it`s bitterly cold. When the weather man said this morning the wind chill would make it feel like zero degrees I thought that`s not to bad. I forgot they all still work in Fahrenheit. So it`s pretty icy. The sort of cold that makes it hard to breathe. I had to pop to Macys for some warmer clothing. The weather didn`t detour all the skaters on the Rockefeller plaza.