Slide park

Ask Elliott where he'd like to go and his first choice is almost always the Philadelphia Museum of Art, his enthusiasm for which will no doubt wane once the heavy machinery finishes its work on the new sculpture garden outside. Should it be an inopportune time to visit the museum (arriving while the construction crew's on their lunch break is, in Elliott's view, unacceptable) then a visit to this playground, which he's christened "slide park", is the mutually agreeable compromise.

Front-end loader

Elliott likes to take his front-end loader on outings so he can assist with municipal works (here, leaf clearing in Society Hill) whenever the need arises.

Leaves

Philadelphia, while popular as a convention destination, attracts only a meagre number of tourists. We happened upon an Australian couple recently. Their 21-day coach tour of North America's East Coast had stopped en route from Washington DC to New York. Both cities warranted a two-night stay. How long did the coach stop in Philadelphia? Two hours!

Just enough time for the jersey-clad Eels fans to have their photograph taken with the "Rocky statue" near the foot of the "Rocky steps" (a.k.a. the Philadelphia Museum of Art). Likeness of Sylvester Stallone aside, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall appear to be Philadelphia's most popular attractions.

Independence National Historical Park, utterly desolate in winter but for the hardiest dog and bambino walkers, has lately been dotted with costumed actors reenacting events and telling tales of times past. Elliott's interest in such things is fleeting. He'd rather play with the leaves, which is what he's doing above.

Incognito

Unconfirmed Elliott sighting Sunday morning in the park adjacent to Independence Hall.