Ice skating on Amsterdam Canals 11-2-12

It was a cold, sunny saturday and while I was busy grocery shopping, these scenes just took my breath away. A typical Dutch 'still life' with 'koek-en-zopie' stands on the ice (food/cakes and traditional, hot drink made out of malt beer/milk, rum, cinnamon and cloves.)

Last-minute-meet/Conservatorium Hotel Amsterdam

At the last minute, a few friends were able to get together for a, surprise, celabratory drink at the, very cool, Conservatorium Hotel.
Just after we arrived in the lobby, they suddenly appeared from behind some ancient pillars and congratulated a slightly stunned Eric.
Later we 'retreated' to our table for two at the hotel's Tunes restaurant. I was pleased I'd booked several weeks before, because the place was packed (with quite a few famous people, I might add).
I've heard different opinions on the restaurant/food, but we both thought it was excellent, with an interesting (in a good sense) menu, as well as professional service (marks? 8 out of 10).
Added 22-2-12. Never thought I'd be more strict than our notorious food critic Johannes van Dam, who ranks 'Tunes' amongst the best restaurants in Amsterdam with 9.5 (see: Dutch aritcle).
(Below) what used to be the courtyard is now 'encased' in glass.


For more info click here

Wintery traces

Am Very grateful to have a warm, cosy home and can therefore enjoy this cold weather's traces (worth enlarging).

Geese are gone. Only footprints left

Cold Canards in Canals of Amsterdam

Oké, so I know they're not exactly 'canards, they're geese (I just liked the title.)
However, that doesn't take away anything from the fact that these feathered friends (be it duck, coot or goose) are in dire straits.
Their watery domain is slowly changing into ice and they don't like it one bit. Every time they set off on their routine tours of Amsterdam, they hit the ice and then turn back all 'diffused-like'.
-7/-10 Celcius and the ice is gaining territory, slowly but surely.

What a difference a day makes!

Art fair REALisme

Admiring work by Casper Faassen

This saturday, Eric and I popped in at one of our favourite galleries; Galerie Rademakers to look at works by Casper Faassen (his fun website click here had made me curious).
We liked some of his work and the gallery kindly gave us two tickets to the 'Real is me' Exhibition held at the impressive Passengers Terminal A'dam (REALisme)
We enjoyed spending a few hours there, met up with Sjors and Lillian and even ran into some fellow goldsmiths, from my time at college in Schoonhoven, Marit and Wouter.

photographer's...

...tweet?

for Nic+Kris

know the feeling!

The Vondelpark Run 15-1-'12

Eric and his running mates were taking part. 'Only' 10 km to run this time, they said.

Caroline, over from England, and I decided to cheer them on. It was a sunny day and the park is beautiful, so no hardship for us then.

(Below) Lillian and Aleide have just started and Kristien is waving and encouraging them on.

Mighty Runner lookin' gooood.

Lillian (with thumbs up) just before the finish and Ron, having finished, decided to run alongside her for the last sprint.

New Year's Fireworks in Amsterdam 2012

12.00  am. Eric and I had made it back, in the nick of time, from our New Year's dinner at restaurant MoMo. Celebrating New Year in Amsterdam, was a first for me. The view from our balcony was amazing. The lights, the Blasts which could be felt reverberating in our stomachs and the deafening noise were absolutely overwhelming. I hope this short video will give you an idea. Full screen and...Turn up the volume!