Bernadette had told me that she would like to visit Bruges and Carolyn thought that it warranted an overnight. Bernadette only had 3 nights with us (Oct 4-7) so we planned to go on the 5th. However, after dinner her first night and when taking the metro home we heard an announcement that there would be a transportation strike on the Thursday the 5th. We had prepaid the hotel and called them once we were home. The hotel told us that it would not affect trains – just metros. So, once again, Uber to the rescue.

We took a car to Brussels-Central and then spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out which train was going to Bruges. The time table did not list Bruges but instead listed the end of the line which was a town not familiar to us. And, departures were on different tracks despite going the same direction. In the large Belgium train stations the tracks are on different levels and different sides stacked like a shopping mall with an inner atrium.

Eventually we got a train, had a nice ride, dropped our bags at the BlaBla Hotel and started walking toward the center of town where we would take a tour. Along the way we had lunch at a lovely tea shop called Cafe Au Lait where we had lovely hot chocolate and celery soup.

With perfect timing we arrived at the central plaza 30 minutes before our scheduled tour with Ambassadors Tours. Free 2-hour tour, tip at the end. Sister-in-law Holly suggested it and it was good advice. Lots of information well done.

One main feature in Bruges is a large bell tower. It will soon undergo a 15 year renovation so we were lucky to see it now. Carolyn and Bernadette would climb it the next day while I wandered medieval streets. On our tour we learned about the economic ups and downs that explained the architecture to be seen. Basically the ups were a long time ago when the merchants built grand buildings to display their wealth. The same buildings survive today because of the lows when no one had resources to tear down and modernize. We learned about the gold ball on a rooftop that reflects light onto brass markers in the square and serves as a clock.

It is a lovely town.

After the tour we stopped for a beer (wine for me) at one of the breweries on the tour. De Halve Maan brewery has built pipes underground (public lands) to move beer from the brewery to the bar in town. They investigated setting up piping to all homes in town – a beer utility. But, decided it would not be cost effective.

Next, we went back to our hotel to check in and take a break. The man working the desk suggested the restaurant next door for dinner and since we were tired we took his suggestion. Passages was a wonderful place and we were able to get in (early) without a reservation. Complimentary pate, jam and bread were offered while we made our choices. By the time we finished the place was packed.

The next day we visited the art museum, climbed the tower, and headed back to Brussels. We had a nice dinner at The Lodge – just two blocks from Stephanie’s house.

The next morning Bernadette flew off early for Marseille.