Given that part of the reason for this blog is to write about the different places we have explored in the US, we felt that we really shouldn't pass up the opportunity to visit The Hamptons, where our friends Neil (yes, lovely Neil) and Emma are staying this week. It was a pretty tough assignment, as you can see from the photos. Yesterday went something like this: After a delicious breakfast of blueberry pancakes and fresh fruit (bought at the local farmers' market), we spent a couple of hours hanging out in the pool, before heading to the nearby residents-only beach (which you could tell was rather special by the fact that everyone leaves their shoes at the entrance - it appears that toning up that tan is of more concern to these folks than stealing each others' shoes). And then out for cocktails and dinner at a new Southampton restaurant.
The Hamptons have a reputation as a playground for the rich & famous of New York - most of whom seem to own enormous summer houses here. A mere couple of hours' drive (or a 20 minute private helicopter ride) from New York City, and one finds oneself in a magical world of perfectly manicured lawns, trimmed privet hedges, beautiful people playing beach volleyball, catered barbeques and ladies who lunch. There are endless ways to amuse oneself here: checking out new multi-million dollar properties to buy, attending polo matches, perusing the designer stores or watching the exclusive 'Plum TV' (an extraordinary channel broadcast only in luxury resorts, whose average viewer has a net worth of $7m). Or alternatively one can spend the afternoon reading stories and swimming with lovely little Ava.
Unfortunately, we appeared to have missed Gwyneth Paltrow, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Ethan Hawke and Elvis Costello (who was apparently performing at a private party here over the weekend), so no photos of the stars I'm afraid.
However, my gorgeous godson, Bede, finally makes it onto the blog (and in the nick of time - my 20+ year friendship with Neil was starting to suffer as I hadn't yet mentioned him and he is now 5 months old). Isn't he adorable?
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