Kralingse Bos, after all the autumn showers we had recently I sure hope the sun will break through again today.

Westblaak. Apart from the International Film Festival where I always go to, I almost never go to the movies. What would you recommend at the moment?

Robert Baeldestraat. The student disco Bikini and 'home' of the Rotterdam students organisations RSC & RVSV. As you can see, the Queens musical We Will Rock You, has been a source of inspiration here too. Anyone seen it yet?

Binnenwegplein. The Febo err..... shop? restaurant? is the ultimate form of a self service shop. Instead of a can of soda, you get a kroket or a slaatje.

Stadhouderslaan. Autumn is all around. I have to crawl through 5 spiderwebs in my little urban garden to get to the shed for the bicycles. ughh!

View on the Willemsbrug on the left and De Hef on the right. 2 bridges spanning the river De Maas and splitting up because of the island "Noordereiland".

Van Beuningenstraat. This pizza delivery boy works at a 'bear' chain. I see them driving around with their bear helmets al the time but usually dont have my camera with me. Ordering a pizza just for the photo? I must admit, i thought about it.

Heemraadsplein. We are having some really nice indian summer days at the moment. Private pools however are very rare and exquisite. People simply don't have the space to store them somewhere. This guy jumped into a pool that was shown on the recent "R'damse oogst"festival and is heated with simple wood. The guy in the green shirt is actually blocking the equipment for it, but I thought you'd be more interested in a guy undressing in a parc and simply hopping into a pool.

Tidemanplein. Today is the official 'opening' of the new face(s) of this public square that -according to the city council - could use more positive attention and connection with the neighborhood.

Veerlaan. A big mural about the former cruiseship SS Rotterdam that is now docked for ever in Katendrecht.

Heemraadsplein. I had some proper Rotterdam honey this morning with breakfast. I never knew there was a proper Rotterdam trade union for beekeepers.

Heemraadsplein. At the biological market yesterday, you could also learn how to make a carrot panpipe. Seriously.

Beatrixpark. Like thousands and thousands of parents my weekends are usually spend at hockey fields, gymhalls and/or swimmingpools. Let's hope the sun stays out at least.

Early night traffic at the A20. I am glad it's Friday and hope the weekend wil finally bring some sun again.

Stationsplein. With Central Station changing every year, visually handicapped persons may have a hard time. On the ground here you see the specially designed tiles to help them out.

Weena/Kruisplein. View on one of the main traffic arteries downtown and the skyscrapers surrounding it.

Piet Heynsplein. Piet Hein, born in Delfshaven in Rotterdam was a Dutch naval officer and folk hero during the 80 year's wars.
Hein is today often called a pirate, though he was a privateer (a private person or private warship authorized by a country's government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping) as the Republic was at war with the Habsburgs and this was what would make Hein most famous. Of course some privateers behaved no better than common pirates, but Hein was a strict disciplinarian who discouraged unruly conduct among his crews and had for the day rather enlightened views about "Indian" tribes, slaves and members of other religions. Also he never was an individual privateer but commanded entire fleets of warships.

Eendrachtsweg, The Brit Luke Jerram was one of the artists with an exposition at last weekends festival The World of the Witte de With. He came to the Netherlands last June during a period of showers and used lots of umbrella's proving that in large numbers, ordinary items can change a landscape.

Noordplein, In Yeah cake! (Haa gebak) you can make, decorate or simply buy ready made cakes or chocolate bonbons. It looked delicious.

Veerhaven, view on the Van Uden firm. In 1848 the two Van Uden brothers, who originated from Brabant, set up their business in Rotterdam. They started as brokers for inland transportation. The twelve year old Johan van ‘t Hoff joined the company in 1864 as junior clerk.
After the Franco-German war in 1870-71, trade and industry in the Rhineland and Ruhr enjoyed a period of great prosperity. Van Uden transferred their attention to Rhine shipping where they had already bought a number of Rhine barges and tugs. They also started with storage and transhipment via a wooden shed “Oostzee” at the Binnenhaven. Johan van ‘t Hoff took over the firm in 1875.
Around 1900, the company extended its activities in the Port of Rotterdam. One of these activities was chartering and brokerage in ocean-going vessels from which their own shipping company developed. In 1904, Van Uden acquired its first seagoing vessel the steamer “Veerhaven”. This was the start of a tradition whereby Van Uden vessels were named after ports in Rotterdam.
In the 1920’s, the Van Uden brothers started liner services to the East coast of North and South America. Especially the service to La Plata grew into a self supporting liner service under the name “Haven Line”. Just before WWII Van Uden started a liner service with motor coasters to Denmark. The interest in Rhine shipping gradually decreased. Transport en logistics were becoming more important. New liner services were opened to North and West Africa and to the Levant. In the early 1980’s, Van Uden started container services, not only on their on vessels but also as a NVOCC. Van Uden stopped operating their own ships of the Haven Line in 1985 after selling the loading rights to Hamburg Süd.

Groot Handelsgebouw. I was at the International Meetup yesterday and as you can see the roof terrace was gorgeous. I met some very nice South Africans, North Americans, some one from Zimbabwe and from India and had a good night. Want to join, follow the link and register that's all.

My place. Our summer ended last Sunday and since then this is what we have. Dry for a while and then, lots of rain.

Parkkade. In front of the Euromast, marines practice a rescue.

Wilhelminakade, a rescue drill because of a fire on the ship.

Wilhelminapier. During the World Port Days yesterday, the speaker handed his mic to the guy on the very left who proposed to his girl friend, en plein public. And from her face you probably read the answer.

Meent, every 6 weeks there is another Exhibition in these offices. I must admit, I never see anyone there and I dont seem to get the concept.

Schie, a couple of days ago I showed the heart with the Euromast. This is that heart from up close. It was revealed last Valentines day and is specially meant to put a lock of love to it and throw away the key. As long the heart is there, the couple will happily stay together.
This weekend it is World Port Days in Rotterdam. Go check out the Maas and/or the area around Hotel New York. Lots of stuff to do!

Aelbrechtskolk. Brewery the Pelgrim has some strong beers on their list; ranging from 5 till 7,2 %.

Haringvliet. Tip of the Willemsbridge, the other bridge :).

Meent. It's the first of the month and there for Theme day again, with todays theme being Open Air Market. This is yesterdays market wand as you can see at the sky, we barely kept it dry. This market will be a covered/indoor market in the near future and the construction work for that has been going on for quite some time.
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