New York 2015 Pictures Day 7

After greeting Pamela, she showed us into her 10 year old Silver Volkswagon Jetta. We drove up the Bronx River Parkway to Scarsdale before turning off onto local residential roads. This neighbourhood was pretty with a smorgasbord of different detached styles, and no two houses the same. We ended up at White Plains which was more boringly urban. We arrived at the Galleria mall in White Plains at 11:05AM.

We went into Macy's which was a tad boring for me but Renée had a good rummage. However it was Pamela who found a jacket to buy in the end. By 11:50AM Renée wanted to get outside. That was fine by me! So we left and returned to the car.

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St. Jopseph's Church just South of the station.	Driving Northbound along the Parkway parallel to the railroad and the Bronx River.

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Continuing on up the Parkway.		The pretty and varied houses of the Scarsdale neighbourhood.

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Shopping at Macy's in the White Plains Galleria.

We planned a trip to Irvington on the Hudson River and part of the Westchester River Walk. We set off at midday, heading through Tarrytown and into Irvington. We stopped at a nice local deli where Pamela treated us to sandwiches (and for me a buttered cinnamon and sultana bagel and a muffin). I also bought locally made cookies which Pamela stored in a cool box in her boot for me. Then we moved to the park, arriving at 12:50PM.

We soon found a nice shady bench by the water and had a picnic with a view. I also took pictures including one of a number of Hudson River panoramas. Then after we finished eating, we walked a short distance trying to find the Westchester River Walk path. But I think we were in the wrong place. So we returned to the car and moved on at 1:45PM.

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Westchester County Center in White Plains.	Zarilli's Deli where we bought sandwiches, bagels and cookies.	Looking down Main Street Irvington towards the Hudson.	Scenic Hudson Park in Irvington.	Mike wastes no time in taking pictures!

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360 degree panorama of the Hudson.	Zoomed panorama of the Tappan Zee Bridge to the North.

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Renée, Pamel and Mike picniccing in Scenic Hudson Park.		Looking South you can see the railroad hug the coast. Manhattan skyline only barely visible through the mist.	Another view of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

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A passing speedboat.	Another pleasant view point onto the Hudson as we walk back to the car.

Pamela drove us North back towards Tarrytown, arriving at Lyndhurst after 5 minutes. After parking up we headed downhill to find the Westchester Riverside Walk path just above the railroad which ran along the riverside. It was a nice walk along the path in the woods. There were plenty of White butterflies as well as a few other species. Lots of birds and fresh air too. It was quite hot now but a nice breeze was blowing. On the way out a little yellow bird piqued my interest. At our furthest point we stopped at a shady bench overlooking trees and the railroad with the Hudson behind. At this point there were loud whooping calls and then a bright red bird flew past. I chased after it and spotted it in a tree but failed to get a shot before it flew on again too far away.

We walked back to the car. On the way back I saw a Swallowtail type butterfly near the bowling alley building. I also photographed one of the White butterflies - a Small White just like the UK ones. Renée initially didn't want to walk up the hill but we did in the end, back to the visitor centre. We had a loo break where the ice cold water was nice on the wrists as I was rather hot from walking in the heat. Before we left I walked over and took pictures of Lyndhurst House. It was a pretty building. While I was there a crow landed on a water feature with what looked like bread in its mouth. I watched it purposefully dip the bread in the water before flying up with it into a nearby horse chestnut tree. Curious.

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Views of Lyndhurst House as we drive to the car park along the drive.		180 degree panorama of the car park. Nice and leafy. We head off down the hill to the left.	Looking up the hill to Lyndhurst House.	A pretty blossoming tree.

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Another view of Lyndhurst House from the bottom of the hill.	The Bowling Alley in a state of restoration.	More blossom.	This house reminds me of Hansel and Gretel.		Walking into the woods along the Riverside Walk.

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Looking through the trees over the railroad to the Hudson.	A pretty woodland path.	Prothonotary Warbler.		A bridge over a waterfall.

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Pamela showing Renée some dance moves on the bridge.	A shady bench overlooking the woods and the Hudson.	This Comma butterfly landed on Renée's leg briefly. I think it is most likely an Eastern Comma.	Chipping Sparrow.

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Renée pausing for rest before we ascend back to the car park.	A Small White butterfly.	Blossoming trees on the lawn.		Lyndhurst House from the Eastern side.	A water fountain on the South side of the house.

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A crow on the statue about to dip its bread in the water.	360 degree panorama on the Southwest side of the house.	Lyndhurst House from the Southwest.	The visitor centre.

We drove off at 3:40PM and headed further North into Tarrytown. We missed the target park and ended up at Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow at 3:55PM. We just stopped for a few minutes as the woodland walk was only for ticketed walkers. It was a nice lake though.

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The First Baptist Church in Tarrytown.	An old British phone box just up the road.	Tarrytown Post Office.	360 degree panorama at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow.	Looking across the lake at Philipsburg Manor.

We then doubled back and found Tarrytown train station and then the park. We arrived at Pierson Park, Tarrytown at 4:10PM. The park was on the riverfront, with lovely new condos behind. There were butterflies and birds here too. After looking at the Condos and walking along to the end of the park we took pictures as we started to walk back. At this point I spotted two butterflies come together and start mating. I managed to get pictures including them on my hand. (I think they are Clouded Sulphur butterflies and look similar to European Clouded Yellows). Meanwhile through the Tappen Zee bridge we could just make out Manhatten skyscrapers in the haze.

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Walking around a lovely block of condos by Pierson Park, Tarrytown.				Renée, Pamela and Mike.

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Renée and Pamela with the Tappan Zee Bridge as a backdrop to the South.	Common Grackle.	A pair of mating Clouded Sulphur butterflies. The Male is the yellower one.		Pamela enjoying the Hudson view.	Renée and Mike.

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Mike.	An attempt at a self timed shot of Pamela, Renée and Mike.	Tappan Zee panorama.	A long range view under the Tappan Zee bridge reveals the Manhattan Skyline in the distance.

We returned to the car at 4:50PM. We drove back through downtown Tarrytown and back past Lyndhurst and Irvington before continuing on Southwards along Highway 9 to Central Park Avenue which took us straight into Yonkers, Pamela's home patch. We stopped at Pepe's Pizzeria at 5:40PM. I ordered a cheese free 12" tomato 'pie' with added mushrooms, onions, peppers and garlic. Renée and Pamela ordered a 16" Margherita with extra Spinach to share. It was a nice meal! My pizza was delicious. (I think Renée would have liked more cheese on her pizza as there wasn't a huge amount and it was just in patches.) Pamela treated us which was very kind.

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On the way to Yonkers along Highway 9.	Central Park Avenue in Yonkers.	A black squirrel on bins by Pepe's.

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Pepe's.	Pamela and Renée at Pepe's.	Enjoying our pizzas.	The kitchen.

We finished and left at 6:50PM. We carried on a short distance along Central Park Avenue which took us past Pamela's mum's flat. We turned off for a closer look from the car before moving on to Bronxville Station which we arrived at 7:05PM. I collected my cookies. Pamela had also bought us these 'black and white' desserts for us which we collected too. We said a long goodbye by the platform before walking to the front at 7:15PM with 7 minutes to spare before the next train.

The train arrived at 7:23PM, just 1 minute late. It was a nice trundle back to Grand Central, arriving at 7:59PM. Then we went straight back to hotel. We tried out the desserts which were very sweet indeed. I finished mine although Renée was too full to make it all the way.

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Pamela's block and window.		Being dropped off on the Southbound side of Bronxville Station.	Pamela and Renée saying goodbye to each other.

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Looking across to the Northbound side where we arrived.	Our train back to Manhattan arriving.	Pamela's Black and White Desserts before they got easten back at the hotel.

We rested for the rest of the evening as well as thought ahead to tomorrow's last day and trip home. We slept some time after 10PM.