BEAUTIFUL BRUGGE

The Somme done, today we headed north to Brugge, via Dunkirk. It is only a couple of hours drive from Arras so a slight diversion to Dunkirk was called for. We didn’t spend much time there, a cool 17 degrees and a wind chill factor making it quite cold and uncomfortable outside. It's about as far north that you can go and still be in France. Of course, the infamous WW2 troop evacuation occurred along this particular bit of coast.

Dunkirk

Another hour and we were in Belgium and Brugge. In this part of Europe the distances pass very quickly and the country borders come and go with hardly a blink. The countryside too is so flat, field after field of the same crops with little undulation to break the scenery.

We have had mixed reports on Brugge, some great others quite ordinary. We have just had a brief excursion to get the feel of the city from our excellently placed hotel just off the city square. There will be more to come but first impressions are great. Known as the Venice of the North it seems to live up to that reputation with canals meandering amongst the most elegant of buildings throughout the city. Not to forget the ‘millions’ of chocolate shops, lace shops, beer bars and the myriad of ‘frittes’ available in every conceivable form, which they love with mayonnaise of all things!

Little Venice

Mmmm, where to start?

The market square, where ...

... we had our first 'Kwak' beer

Served in these holders, a tradition from horse and carriage days

when the beer was prevented from spilling whilst the carriages were moving.

It's been fun whilst travelling in Italy, Spain and France, to go to restaurants and order - we have a smattering of those languages and at least have eaten those foods quite a lot, so they can be sort of familiar - however, tonight the "official" language is Flemish, it sounds a bit German to the untrained ear (we're watching a bit of Le Tour in Flemish now - no idea of who's winning the time trial) - we'll let you know how we fare! Mind you, we managed in Croatia and Greece, there's always a way when you're hungry!