Hours of physiotherapy and manipulation has un-trapped my Vagus Nerve, for now, and fortunately yesterday I was fit to travel and headed back to New York for my 2nd trip of the month.

It was a crazy day and I'd crammed a lot into my plans but fortunately all my fears about the Pope, also arriving in NYC today, causing traffic chaos were unfounded and within just 50 minutes of my plane touching down I was at my accommodation - a good hour quicker than usual. I guess everyone else stayed home just in case.

After unpacking I headed off to a meeting of The Bead Society of Greater New York where I was giving a talk about my work and my journey in beading.

The talk didn't seem to be getting off to an auspicious start when a lack of technical knowledge meant we couldn't get the laptop to speak to the projector and I was starting to panic that my talk would just consist of me talking, whilst the many people who came just got to look at me, and not the photos of beadwork that'd I'd planned.

Just as I was losing hope it was suggested that we try using a different computer and projector and as we headed upstairs I glanced around at everyone who was coming in... and saw an unlikely face... the cousin of my friend who got married last year.

I met the lovely Eric, who is working in New York at the moment, at the wedding and when he heard I was giving the talk he thought he'd surprise me by coming along, and was I glad he did!

Once I was over my shock at seeing him I jokingly asked if he knew anything about Macs... and lo and behold not only is he great with computers but he had his with him. So before I knew it he'd managed to get the whole kit & caboodle working and we had photos!

Once we were up and running the talk went smoothly (just with me shouting 'Eric' every now and then when I needed the photo changed) but I was glad when it was done and I could let my nerves begin to settle a bit.

Today I had a day off and took the opportunity to do a food tour which is a great way to spend a few hours and get to know somewhere.