Rambling around Rotterdam

Last week, we had spring with a real bounce. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the temperatures were in the mid-twenties and we were shedding coats and jumpers with gay abandon. It was a short-lived joy, though. By Friday, the mercury had fallen to the early teens and overnight, we were down to low single figures. Even so, we had a lovely Easter weekend in Rotterdam as the photos below will, I hope, depict. I took them all when we decided to do a 'tour' of the harbours. The afternoon sun lacked warmth, but the cool temperature didn't stop people getting out and about to simply enjoy the bright day and the fresh air. 

Indeed, some even went so far as to have some watery fun. There's no accounting, is there? Well, at least the water they were sitting in was warm, but it must have been pretty chilly all the same.

Even when the temperatures are in single figures, there's
no stopping some people.

This little floating house here is one of two holiday apartments called Wikkelboat, and I noticed they have been fully occupied too over the Easter holiday. I think 'tiny houses' are incredibly cute, especially as these are tiny houseboats as well. I've added the link to their website to the name.

A tiny floating holiday home nestled among the boats
in the harbour, called the Wikkelboat

Our walk took us along the inner harbours of the city, which is where we often do our spuddles in the rowing boat and also on the Vereeniging. It's a never failing delight to see what is moored up along the quays of the Wijnhaven, whose name is derived from its former main trade, but that was in pre-war days.

The Wijnhaven, so called because wine was the mainstay of
the trade in this quarter of Rotterdam.

And at the end of the Wijnhaven is the largest of the floating museum collection in the Leuvehaven, quiet now because of the restrictions, but there are still plenty of people walking around and looking at the old craft from the quays.

Leuvehaven

As offshoots from the Leuvehaven, there are two other short harbours by the name of Bierhaven and Rederijhaven. In times gone by, the Bierhaven was also home to the companies trading in that all too popular beverage (beer), while its neighbour, the Rederijhaven was for the shipping companies (rederij meaning 'shipping'). The last harbour on our round is the Scheepmakershaven (literally ship makers) and this one leads us all the way back to the Oude Haven. I'm so pleased they've kept their original names and despite the modern high-rise flats, these harbours, which are now home to a collection of historic barges, still retain that feeling of the businesses they used to serve.

Bierhaven

Bierhaven

The Rederijhaven, also taking its name from its main function
which was home to the shipping companies (rederij)

Rederijhaven

For anyone who'd like to see where we were, here's a screenshot of the map showing the three harbours  we walked around.

Wijnhaven (at the top), Bierhaven,
Rederijhaven and Scheepmakershaven

And here it is in the context of the entire museum harbour complex. The Oude Haven is in the centre of the image.

On our way back to the Vereeniging, it was becoming quite cold, and I spotted this contented kitty sitting in the wheelhouse of one of the barges. She or he looks very happy and was probably conscious of the fact it was a much better place to be than outside.

Contented kitty

One of the big advantages about the curfew from my perspective (which is a very selfish one) is that there is no noise at night in our Oude Haven. What bliss it has been to be there at a weekend and sleep peacefully. Nevertheless, I hope sincerely that the situation improves soon and that the cafés and restaurants can get back to business again. For their sakes, I could handle a bit of noise now.

Enjoy the rest of your week, allemaal, and I hope the sun is shining on you wherever you are. We have snow, hail, showers and sunshine today, and that's for starters. It's blowing a gale as well. Happy days!!