Brugge
A last-minute decision to get away saw me and my cameras in Brugge for a few days. My husband booked us into a hotel on a barge. The life jackets that welcomed us on the bed, made me laugh a little nervously, but the room was cosy and well appointed.
Friday, and the forecast was to be raining all day, and I followed Google’s suggestion and headed to a chateau where I was promised drier weather and tulips. Drier weather, yes; tulips, no! Not until April, when there would be grand opening event to show off all the tulips I could see through the fences. Consoled ourselves with a lovely lunch and a walk in some nearby woods where there was clearly evidence of beaver and otters, not to mention ostrich!
The weather improved on the Saturday and we headed into the old town, our route took us through one of Brugge’s busiest streets. Crammed full of chocolate, marzipan, nougat, waffle, cafe and snack shops. The chocolate shops were full of Easter creations; rabbits and eggs of course, but also chickens, ducks, flowers, baskets and handbags, all made of beautiful Belgium chocolate.
All the streets are cobbled and the buildings show off a medieval front (even if the back is modern). This little town was spared bombs in WWII and most buildings date back to the 17th Century and many go back even later. Canals thread through the town, and you can take a tourist boat ride (but more of that later). Canals mean bridges and though simple they are just simply beautiful.
We’d watched “In Brugge” before the trip and it was fun trying to spot all the film locations. The main square is big and although out of season, it is already full of tourists. I imagine that during the main tourist season (April to October) it is almost impossible for the cyclists to ride through the town.
The main tower has 366 steps to the top… maybe another time. We are surrounded by restaurants serving incredible Belgium food, dunking donuts and Burger King… The pubs serve potent beers in small glasses and great wine. Horses wait to take tourists for a tour in perfect little carriages. The sun even comes out. Shops are decorated in colourful flower garlands.
We take the tour around chocolate museum, complete with free chocolate and lots of steps (designed, I’m sure to work off some of the consumed calories!)
We find a great little restaurant, Het Vision, just a really short walk from our hotel and while we wait for the doors to open, I wander around with my cameras. I am quite pleased to share these pictures with you of this tower. It just goes to show what a little time can make to an image. I frequently take a photo of something and then look to see if I can take a better one somewhere else or at a different time. So, the first was when I first arrived at the spot, clearly overcast and dark, the second the cloud was thinning and the sun was trying to peek through. Keeping an eye on the sun though I hoped that the sun would break through because the low angle would make the view glow and joy of joys it did.
We were a little surprised to find Grebes and Cormorants spending time on the canal so close to busy roads. Both stunning in courtship plumage.
Sunday morning finds me on a photographic tour with a local, Andy. Who has a wonderful knowledge of Brugge, not only its history but how to get the best of this historic town with your camera. He shows me places that I never would have found on my own. Lots of amazing doors, reflections and bridges. He is generous with his knowledge and gives advice freely. Two hours fly by and I have plans to wander back around to catch some spots at night.
I have definitely worn my step machine out wandering around Brugge. The town is beautifully lit at night (the war in Ukraine, means that the lights aren’t on all night anymore and the power now comes from more sustainable sources…..)
The morning brings fog and although I promise not to wander too far, it’s just far too tempting. Don’t go as far as I’d really want but I love this little red bridge in the fog. It’s Monday and rush hour here is thousands of bikes, more so than cars. An amazing sight, seeing hundreds of bikes speeding along cycle paths.
After breakfast, we take a boat and tour the canals themselves. A new view point on the city and new corners to explore. We finally find out where the swans have been hiding. Like the ravens at the Tower of London, Brugge’s prosperity will fail if it has less than 100 swans. There are currently 120 swans and 2 people are employed to make sure that they stay safe.
Then all too soon, time’s up and it’s time to go home.
