Het torentje

The stroll along the river opposite the Binnenhof (Dutch Parliament) is always a nice walk, especially when the weather is not too bad. You can see on the left the famous Mauritshuis museum, and next to it, the small tower, dubbed the "torentje" in Dutch which since 1982 is the work office of the Dutch Prime Minister.

The frozen Hofvijver

This main water pond in the centre was nearly frozen today as temperatures remained very cold. The birds did not have a lot of water left to be able to swim around!

The fountain is back!

Oupssss...... Missed you all for a week. I ended up last week in the Northern part of Holland in a hotel resort claiming to have a business centre with no internet connection whatsoever..... Anyway, I have now some catch up to do!!

Since 6 September 2007, people can admire once again in the Binnenhof the beautiful fountain from Pierre J.H. Cuypers (architect of the Rijksmuseum and the Central station in Amsterdam), which has just been renovated. The fountain was placed in 1885 in the Binnenhof as a tribute to the founder of the Binnenhof, Count William II. The fountain was then presented internationally as an example of Dutch wrought iron craftsmanship. Here, one of the gargoyles (I love this word!).

Fancy a haring?

Typical Dutch!! Those stands outside the Binnenhof are not only for tourists (though as you can see on the picture some Japanese are having fun in making some photos of them). Many regular Dutch people enjoy having a "broodje haring" for lunch (one sweet herring with onion and cucumber in a piece of white bread).

Red fish.....

Strange encounter in the Binnehof! Especially when he went to buy and eat an ice cream. This was actually an advertising shot for some brand.