The Magic of Bruges
We pulled back the curtains this morning to bright sunshine and clear, frosty skies. The rain clouds had vanished and we were heading off early to explore Bruges. After a quick breakfast we packed up the van and made the 10 minute walk into town. It was around 8.30am and no tour buses had arrived yet. The streets were empty and peaceful, with only the odd cyclist to share them with. We had decided to explore the south end of Bruges, which we’d heard was achingly pretty, with winding canals and 15th century houses. We’d heard right. Every street has tiny alleyways and winding roads to explore, tranquil gardens to wander through and hidden bridges over tiny canals. Pretty medieval houses line the waterways , with crooked roofs and tiny doors that lead straight onto the water. Maybe it was because we had the place to ourselves, or because the morning was so crisp and still, but we both felt a magic in the air. It was as though time had stood still for the past 400 years. Bruges was more beautiful than we’d ever expected.
After a while, the tour buses arrived and the streets began to fill with people again. The shops were now open and there was a buzz in the air. We stopped at a cafe on The Burg for a quick drink. The huge gothic town hall loomed overhead and we sipped on Belgian hot chocolate while we watched the world go by. Life was good. Not long after we left the old town. Here, the canals widened and house boats lined up on the water. It wasn’t really medieval anymore, but there was no denying how pretty the houses were. We stumbled across a park with a big bandstand and a water fountain, with gently rolling lawns shaded by trees. Locals walked their dogs and there was the odd jogger or two. It was a brief glimpse into everyday life in Bruges, away from the souvenir shops and tourist buses.
We spent the afternoon back at the van, resting our feet and enjoying some lunch. Ben played on the drone and I edited some photos. The evening came around with a biting chill in the air, the kind that nips at your face and ears. We walked into Bruges for one last time and saw the town by night. Every other shop window was covered in fairy lights and fires burned in cosy restaurants. It suddenly felt like a Christmas village – all we needed was some snow! We’ve both fallen in love with Bruges and couldn’t recommend it enough, although I think summer crowds would take away some of the magic we experienced. But for now, it’s time to pack up our van and head West, over to Flanders Fields and the historical town of Ypres.
