Meanwhile in Exeter...

Veronica had opted not to attend the graduation ceremony for her master’s degree in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Exeter since there were only six students on her course and she spent nearly half her school year with us in Holland. However, she had signed up for the free rental of the cap and gown to get some photos around Exeter, including this one in front of the cathedral... 

…and many on campus. 

Here she is with Dreda, her best friend from her course and also hiking buddy from Expedition Society. They had spent the previous three nights on Dreda’s family farm near Wales and had some excitement when her van broke down en route to Exeter. 

After getting a tow, Robin, Dreda’s boyfriend, swooped in to get them to campus to pick up their gowns. Dreda and Robin had met in undergrad at Exeter’s Penryn campus, where Veronica would be headed in September. The four of them had a celebratory lunch at the Mill on the Ex and then drinks at the Cosy Club (the same chain where we had taken her for cocktails after her graduation at UEA in Norwich). 

Veronica and Brett later went out for dinner on their own to finish off their day of celebrating. Ironically, because Brett skipped doing his master’s before starting his PhD, for a short time in their lives, Veronica would have a higher degree than him. 

 

Spotted in Rotterdam...

Seeing a new Ox-Alien mural always makes me smile.

Flowers for You

These sculptures also made me smile. Heart Work Heroes was the biggest open-air exhibit for healthcare, showing appreciation for healthcare workers in a positive and colorful way. The hope was that this would help inspire young people to consider a career in healthcare.

Turquoise by Proxy

Pax

Apollo

Rotterdam

Joni Kling

Patatja Roffa 

 

More Rooftops...

While World Trade Center Rotterdam’s big green elliptical tower was built in 1986, the low-rise exhibition complex below the tower was finished just before being damaged during the the bombing of Rotterdam on May 14, 1940. Its copper roof has more than 21,000 round windows.  

It was cool to see the Markthal from yet another angle...

...as well as the Erasmus Bridge.

How nice that we found someone to take a photo of the four of us.

In addition to lots of displays about renewable energy, there were various sculptures...

…a rooftop garden...

…and a giant undersea mural.

It was surprising to see a tree sticking out of a car’s sunroof before learning it was a moveable piece of art designed to teach about the necessity of greenery in public spaces. 

After descending the final staircase, we headed over to Aloha for drinks and appetizers on the terrace.
 

Rooftop Reflections...

The World Trade Center Rotterdam, built in 1987, made for some interesting photos.

These small flower turbines were quieter and smaller than traditional wind turbines. 

These solar panels were more efficient by being placed above a green roof because the water retained by the plants help to cool the panels. And the panels helped to promote biodiversity by providing shelter and shade for small creatures.  
 

Crossing the Coolsingel...

The one area where we had to wait was to enter the 195-foot (60-meter) crossing over the road. A maximum of 300 people could be allowed on it at once, but they kept the numbers much lower. 

I took most of these photos on my camera and definitely kept a tight hand on my phone when I used it.

In the distance you can see the crowds starting to gather for Gay Pride.

The views were pretty great over the usually busy road.

 

Rotterdam Rooftop Walk...

Immediately following checking out the view from the sky bar, we headed to Rotterdam to meet up with Sally and John to visit the Rotterdam Rooftop Walk as part of the Rooftop Festival. I was thrilled to be able to get tickets to walk up the giant temporary staircases and across several rooftops. We were very impressed how well it was organized to process large crowds as 204,000 visitors made the same walk over the 32 days the walk was open.   

It was fascinating seeing the most spectacular segment, the sky bridge 97 feet (29.5 meters) above the Coolsingel, from several different angles before we climbed any stairs. 

At our designated time, our tickets were scanned and we started climbing stairs.

The route eventually ended on the Bijenkorf (a fancy department store) parking garage, where another large temporary staircase brought us back down to the street. 
 

The Valley...

Despite not understanding the Dutch tour guide, we appreciated the chance to visit The Valley, three hi-rises housing retail and commercial space on the lower floors and 200 cantilevered luxury rental apartments on the eighth floor and above. Sadly, we weren’t able to actually tour any of the apartments.

Much of the outdoor space is open to the public.

We got a nice surprise when the tour guide directed us to go up to Gastrobar Green, a sky bar which officially wasn’t open yet. The views from the 26th and 27th floor were incredible.