on a spree to New York - the details

The big tourist must-sees are great, but it's the details I love the most - here are a few favourites:

firescapes

car parking on lifts!

subway seating

advertising hoardings - bigger and brighter - seen from the Highline

one of the last meatpackers in the Meatpacking District

catering supplier in the Lower East Side

sneeeeeeeeeeakers

Coney Island fun fair

on a spree to New York - but first some views

I've just got back from New York, a fantastic week of seeing the sites, catching up with family, going shopping (of course) and exploring parts of the city I have not visited before. Here are some pics of the popular tourist destinations.

No visit to New York would be complete without a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and downtown Manhattan from the water - take the Staten Island ferry to enjoy the view (free! and goes every half hour)

I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on a warm spring day to see the paintings, furniture, stained glass windows and ceramics in the American Wing, large enough to be a museum in its own right

How about this for elegant lounging...

...and a room for lounging in - Frank Lloyd Wright room. Swoon

I took a peak at the Guggenheim, but didn't have time to go and see the art

Times Square, on my way to the theatre to see Stockard Channing (*love*) in Other Desert Cities

The Flatiron building (felt slightly giddy looking upwards, must have been because of jetlag)

The Highline in Chelsea, a disused railway track turned into a public park - I love how citizens modify and sculpt their cities, using old structures for new uses

A beautiful winter evening on Primrose Hill

Mrs Osborn goes to Wilton's Music Hall

I went to a wedding at Wilton's Music Hall at the weekend - what a magical setting for a lovely wedding. You can never have enough fairy lights, in my opinion.
Wilton's is the oldest Grand Music Hall in the world, dating back to the 1850s. After 22 years as a music hall, it was used by a Methodist Mission, then a shelter for those who were bombed out of their homes during WW2, and a sorting place for rags in the 1950s. It is now used for performances, plays, operas and pub quizzes - as well as being available to hire for weddings. Wilton's has fallen into disrepair, but its crumbling structure and interior gives the place unique charm. Click here to find out more about the work being undertaken to save Wilton's.

On the way there this sign for an Infant Nursery appeared out of the gloom

Spotted in Spitalfields

Chairs in Old Spitalfield's Market: 13 British steel tube chairs from 1930 to 1960

Details on the door frame of Huguenot silk weavers house

What are these? look like jelly moulds in the shape of Roman heads

Mrs Osborn's spree in Edinburgh - bootiful views

And finally, some views.

Looking out across Bruntsfield Links - taking the scenic route to the Traverse Theatre via the Meadows. I also swung by the flat where I lived as student - unbelievably it seems that the permanently pickled Mr Ross at flat 2F1 is still in residence; he of the tartan trews, always-full sherry glass and wifey in her Woman at C&A negligees, you know those long flammable frilly horrors in turquoise 'silk'.
I digress.

Victoria Street from the Grassmarket. This street is spectacular, with activity at two levels: a pedestrian walkway above the busy shops and restaurants on the ground floor, and housing (perhaps now offices) above the walkway.

A 10 storey building which spans the height of two streets - this fine example is snapped from the bottom of Cockburn Street,  the upper part faces out onto the Royal Mile which is above. Jane Jacobs said there should be 'eyes on the street' - there are plenty here (if slightly forbiddingly grey)

The glorious Museum of Scotland. When Scotland was European City of Culture, my Dad gave a lecture there and afterwards there was a dinner. I was invited too. It was in the room with stuffed animals*  Best venue for dinner, ever.

*I could not find the stuffed animals on my visit, which was a shame, taxidermy being so hip 'n all.

(Taxidermy fans, check out Get Stuffed on Essex Road, Islington)

The Castle viewed from the Grassmarket

Last but not least: the magnifico Firth of Forth Bridge pic taken from South Queensferry, where I was staying.I could sit and watch the comings and goings on and under the bridge all day. Very soothing.