Westersingel. The war monument called Unbroken Resistance covered in the snow we are having again. The average temperature this month, AVERAGE, was half a degree C below zero! We haven't had this cold and this amount of snow (not only now, but since mid December) since I can't remember when. And it ain't over yet, because as of this Wednesday a new period of frost is foreseen.

Veerhaven, the building of the The Royal Maas Yacht Club (Koninklijke Roei- en Zeilvereniging De Maas) is a Dutch yacht club located in the centre of Rotterdam.
The yacht club, founded in 1851, belongs to the oldest yacht clubs in the Netherlands. It has around 2500 members. The predicate 'Royal' was bestowed in 1901; in 1931 women were allowed to become a member. 'Maas' members have, by royal decree, the privilege to fly an embellished Netherlands ensign, showing a St George cross and golden King's crown.
The clubhouse designed by the architects Barend Hooijkaas jr. en Michiel Brinkman, was opened in April 1909. This elegant Jugendstil creation, which just survived the bombardment of the centre of Rotterdam in May 1940, is an important example of modern architectural art in the Netherlands.
The club's patron is Queen Beatrix; her son the Prince of Orange and the mayor of Rotterdam are Maas members.

Noordplein. The other day I had a wonderful lunch at Lof der Zoetheid (a variation on Praise of Folly, something like Praise of Sweetness) and really enjoyed it. Try to make reservations in advance though, coz it quickly filled up while we were there.

Veerkade. I hope these cherubins wave goodbye to the cold and grey weather we are having at the moment!

The International Film Festival starts today and as ever I am definitely going to see several movies! Want to go to or simply learn more about the festival? Click here for online tickets and info

Gustoweg, view on one of the harbors that dates back till 1920 but still is used. There used to be a prison boat here but I think that is gone.

Coolsingel. And then all of a sudden (light) snow is back again.

Dwarsdijk, Somewhere on the top floor my 2 sons have their Saturday Judo practise. They also have a Sunday judo practise (including 1,5 hr running!) and a Monday judo practice. Then there are the matches and of course that is just 1 sport (they also practise waterpolo) and there is also another kid with other sports activities. Where is my life?

Schiekade, the adorable cat at Italian restaurant Angelo Betti, was laying in the winter sun and I exactly understood how this man couldn't help himself but had to caress him.

Hofplein; one of Rotterdams major traffic points and a big roundabout with a fountain in the middle. It is also one of the streets in the Dutch Monopoly game and for sure in the Rotterdam version.

Meent. I have seen this guys' stand for Unox soup several times but never with a customer. I felt really bad for him and didn't dare go to close.

View on 'De Hef' the former railway lift bridge that is now preserved as a monument.

Overschie, now that the day temperature is a few degrees above zero and the night just below, the ice starts to drift and accumulate.

Schouwburgplein. Just a couple of more weeks now and the International Film Festival will hit Rotterdam again. From what I saw last night, cinema Pathé is already used at the outside as an urban screen.

Spaanse Polder, the head office of Verstegen Spices and Sauces, a Rotterdam born (1886!) and bred company.

Overschieseweg. View on some boats freezen in on the river De Schie and the tower of the big church.

Today we have an extra theme day amongst the City Daily Bloggers, namely the best photo of 2009. Now the best may seem an easy value but the best to whom? Is that the photo with the most comments? I flipped through all of last years and decided I simply liked this one fhat I posted February 20th last year best for now. It's a view on Hotel New York in the evening sun. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Noordplein. I wondered why they didn't take the chairs inside. Who on earth is going to sit outside with this cold?

View on the "Northern island/Noordereiland". This island in the river the New Meuse is part of Feyenoord and was known till the last 20 yrs for its port activities and liveliness. Inland ships would dock in rows of 5.
With the container taking over more and more in the Rotterdam port and the moving of harbor activities to other areas (Europoort, Botlek) this became more and more a residential area.

's-Gravendijkwal. Although not one of the most severe winters, we are experiencing a winter with lots and lots of snow (to Dutch standards). Here you see the monument for Jacobus van 't Hoff, a Rotterdam born chemist and winner of the Nobel prize for chemistry.

The table with magazines and newspapers in Dudok. O and a half eaten piece of apple pie of course.

Nassaukade. Not only Blue Band margarines (in your country maybe know as Planta, or Country Crock, or Rama, or Imperial etc. etc.) is made in these Unilever factories. Calvé peanet butter that was produced for more than 100 yrs in Delft, came here too after a reorganisation a couple of years ago.

Coolsingel. A while ago there was a contest for architects to design the new city office (I honestly had no idea we even had one and to this day would not know where the old one is). Anyway. An audience of ordinary people could vote and there was a jury of people who were supposed to know what they were talking about. As you can see on this sticker OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture) won the contest.
But this was not the people's choice and the 4 architecture bureau's that lost now fight that decision. An Archisoap is born.

Wilhelminapier. The former warehouses meant for tea, seeds and nuts are going to be developed in shopping and living residences. That whole area is changing so rapidly, if you haven't been there for 6 months, you hardly recognize it anymore.

Stadhoudersweg. Despite the present period of freeze, I saw the storks a couple of days ago. Why are they not in Africa?

View at the Willemsbridge with the "Noordereiland" and some ships in front of it.

Kralingse Plaszoom, mill De Ster against a crisp but very cold sky.

Beukelsdijk. The bonfires of New Years eve have not only taken care of left over Christmas trees but apparently of left over bikes too.

Binnenwegplein. It's the Sales season again!

Kralingse Plas. Not only the UK is gripped by the Big Freeze. Our country is awaiting a new cold 10 days with moderately to heavy freezing and new snow showers. It does make things pretty I think.

My place. First of all a very happy new year to everyone!! Hope the hangover itsn't too bad and after yesterdays fireworks everyone still has 10 fingers and 2 eyes that work!
It's the first of the month and thus theme day with the theme being Change.
This is my 7 yr old daughter Caroline who lost her first front tooth the day before Christmas and a couple of days later the second one. Everytime I look at her, I have to smile coz she looks and sounds ridiculously cute.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants worldwide in this theme