2017 (9) Brugge, Belgium.

And the weather is still awful,, and Max is getting disillusioned with Belgium,, bloody North Sea, as he says !!!         We arrive in Brugge, to another great Captainarie who is the brother of the one from Ghent.(small world).     Brugge is an interesting city, where literally everyone is a tourist..its a bit like being in Disney Land, not many bikes to be run over by but plenty of groups following the umbrella or flag, with numbers stuck on their chests and horse & traps... But apart from that we spent 6 great days here. 

Walked our socks off, and with a visit for 2 nights with friends from Brussels, Bart and Lia, and a day with their/our friend Marc we saw a lot of Brugge through Flemish eyes.   And Barts cooking with his home grown veg, yum yum.                

Couldn’t miss a tourist boat trip around the many tiny waterways in the city centre.

This lovely onclave of tiny houses, Almshouses, from the 14C onwards were built by charity for the care of the impoverished elderly or retired craftsmen. And later, widows ands single ladies.

Out on the town, the bands getting the stage set up for the night.

Again, saved by The Monuments Men,

The Statue of

  Madonna and Child   

by Michelangelo Buonarotti (1504-5).

Carved in Carrara marble.

It now resides in The Church of Our Lady in Brugge and is one of the few works of his outside Italy.

Below, The Church of Our Lady with the tombs of 2 important historical figures from Belgium History.     Charles the Bold,(or Charles the Rash)9!433-77,  last Valois Duke of Burgundy, and his daughter, the duchess Mary.

More incredible sculptures and statues.

Bill and Min arrive to stay for a couple of nights to celebrate the birthday!!!!,

They bypassed their boat in Nuiewpoort to visit us and then we had a lovely day trip to see Nuiewpoort, with its huge sea and fresh water marinas.

Main Market Square, Brugge, with The  Belfry, (83m high) and The Provincial Court, and various Museums.

This is surprise birthday present from Bart & Lia.

Its meant to be one of the best beers made by Trappist monks, and considered by some to be the best beer in the world…..its not that easy to find in the shops… and only 10.2%.

And for all our friends out there…

                   

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