September 5th & 6th, 2021
Thanks to everyone who answered our shout out on Facebook on where to go before we have to be in Paris. Bruges (Brugge) Belgium is the destination most of you said we shouldn't miss. I have to say, I think this was my favorite city on this trip, or reading the title of this blog, is it the foodie in me that says it's my favorite?
We found a nice camping spot on the Park4Night app. Parking Kanaaleiland in Brugge is at a marina on the Vestan River. For €25 ($30 US) a night, it included electric and a service point for dumping waste water and our toilet cassette and fifty cents for drinking water. It was also only a 25 minute walk to the old market square of town, where we wanted to go. Since we arrived on Sunday, we decided to make the day a catch up on the computer day, saving Monday for our exploring day.
We set off around 9am allowing ourselves plenty of time before the shops opened for the day. Our route took us through a nice park and then into the streets and alleys of town. Our first stop was at a shop selling Belgium waffles. When we were in Roosdaal, I bought a package of pancake puffs, similar to our American "silver dollar" sized pancakes, but these had a richer flavor. It was a large bag so we were able to enjoy them for a few breakfasts, but it was time to try the waffles! You can get your waffles with a huge assortment of toppings: chocolate sauce, Nutella, fresh fruits, whipped cream, ice cream, in any combination there of. I stuck with the basic plain with powdered sugar, Larry chose his with a strawberry syrup. I'm thinking I may be able to re-create these with my sourdough starter, I can't wait to get home to give it a try.
Later, we spotted a chocolate shop, then another, then another. They were everywhere! In between yummy food shops of chocolate and waffles were shops selling lace and tapestries, some of them were handmade.
Our destination was to the Market Square to see the Belfrey of Bruges. Along the way we saw some beautiful large churches and buildings. We decided to take a City Bus to see the sights. Well worth the €40 ($48 US). It was nice to learn the name of some of the buildings and churches and their history. There were even windmills! Originally there were 25 windmills, but now only 4 remain. I wish this was a hop-on hop-off tour as I would have liked to have had a closer view of them.
After our tour it was lunch time. I told Larry he could choose the restaurant, and he did well. There were many little cafes with patio seating around the market square to choose from. We both had one of their lunch specials. Steak & fries for Larry, mussels & fries for me. We shared a 3 beer flight and then we shared a ½ liter of beer. Maybe not the cheapest lunch at €52 ($62.40 US) total, but it was delicious. I haven't drank this much beer, (since we've been in Europe) since I don't know when, and they have all been yummy!
After lunch I wanted to wander into some more shops. Larry found a bench in the square and told me to take my time! Being a bit worn-out, we decided to take an Uber back to the motorhome. We had perfect day out and we loved the city of Bruges Belgium.
3 days left before we return the motorhome.
