Beautiful Brugge

After a delicious breakfast of apple pancake, orange juice and coffee for 16 euro ( not cheap!), we caught the 10.53 train to Antwerp. Well, to be more specific, Lorelle, Elizabeth, Keeley and I caught the train to Antwerp and left poor Kiryn standing on the platform as she was sure her mum wasn't on the train which of course, she was- right up the front of the train. She should have known her mum has never missed anything in her life, nor been late for anything! Lorelle had to get off at the first stop and come back to get her as Kiryn didn't have a ticket. We changed trains at Antwerp -what a huge station- I think we came in on the lowest level and had to go up four or five escalators to find platform 5. No wonder they leave 20 minutes to get from one platform to another!

The gateway to the old town

The facades of the buildings are all different

Sint-Salvadors Kathedraal

Eventually arrived in Brugge right on time and caught a taxi to Het Wit Beertje ( the Little White Bear), our B&B for the next 3 days. What a delight! Three wonderfully decorated rooms each with their own bathroom, and our engaging and informative hosts, Patrick and Jean-Pierre helped us with directions, recommendations for dinner, everything we wanted to know. And then, le piece de resistence! The "back yard"! It was a box of greenery- even had a banana tree and a gorgeous moggy "My Little Angel"is the English translation of her Belgian name. I walked downtown with Kiryn and Elizabeth, then went searching for the restaurants that we had been recommended as cheap and delicious. I must have walked miles! For the first time, I have the basic layout of the town in my mind. I even found the police station! Of course after all this walking I was too footsore to walk there again so was pleased when everyone opted for takeaway from the shop across the road, burgers, chips and a couple of bottles of wine were just what the doctor ordered. I was feeling too crook to even participate in a game of cards. For those who know me, that's a sure sign I am sick. I had a fitful, feverish sleep and didn't even want to get out of bed for breakfast!( another sure sign I am not well) Stacey and Keeley brought me breakfast in bed, and made me eat it ( well at least some of it) and I did begin to feel a little better. Lorelle is really sick so we decided today would be a good opportunity to search out a doctor. We found a lovely doctor who looked about 15, who checked us over and prescribed antibiotics for both of us, and a very strong puffer for Lorelle to help her breathe.

After a little R&R, Elizabeth and I headed down to Belle Epoque to meet Kiryn and Lorelle for dinner. We all had the 20 euro 3 course special. I had the scampi for entree, the steak for mains, and flan caramel for dessert all washed down with a bottle of French merlot. Beautiful posh restaurant for a bargain price! We them walked down to the main square to wait for a horse and carriage ride. We didn't have to wait long before we were picked up by Kimberley ( the driver) and Pierrot ( the horse) and taken on a wonderful ride round the old back streets of Brugge seeing many buildings built in the 1600s and still in use today. The walk home did not seem too long as there are plenty of really expensive shops to drool over on the way home. Apparently, Brugge is where royalty come to buy their clothes! And then to bed.