Bruges – 17th – 20th August 2017
- Brett Sedgwick
- Mar 22, 2021
- 3 min read
Hallo from Belgium
Well after our biggest drive day yet (close to 12 hours) we pulled into the Holiday Inn Hoofddorp, Amsterdam. We stopped off for lunch in the German town of Hanover but we just hit a food court inside the shopping centre as we didn’t feel like soaking up any more depressing WWII history.
Anyway we got to Amsterdam and elected to have dinner in the hotel restaurant before we had a final nightcap with the Expat crew. Everyone was going their separate ways in the morn and we had a few final laughs with our new friends from all over this blue and green ball.
We were up at sparrows (6.00am) to get a Euro Line bus from Schipol to Bruges. This was another drive day but we got to the Central Hotel – right in the main square of Bruges in the early afternoon.
Ahh Bruges – land of chocolate, waffles, canals, exquisite medieval architecture and over 300 varieties of beer – how could we not be excited. We spent a little while re-acquainting ourselves with this gem of a town – we’d been here for lunch on two separate occasions, but had never stayed the night – before we tried to check into our room. Our first stop was a green food van in front of the tower. We made a bee-line straight for old mate’s truck and 5 minutes later we were feasting on Flemish Stew and Fries…We had actually dreamt about this dish since 2015 and the wait was worth it. Fries smothered in a rich beef and wine stew…Magnifique. By the way, the people of Belgium take their fries very seriously and there is even a Fries Museum in town…I kid you not!!
It was about 4.00pm by then and we were keen for a shower but our room wasn’t ready yet. The maitre’d was embarrassed and gave us a drink on the house. Jen had a delicious (so she assured me) Baileys Coffee and I had a Kwak – local beer that was served in a quarter yard glass with its own wooden stand. My first beer in Belgium…outstanding. Creamy, malty and no aftertaste…so good!!
Anyway we checked in and began a walking pub crawl. Our first stop was a random place that we found – and in my opinion the highlight of the night – the Druid’s Bar. Check the pics for this place, it was right up my alley. Picture an Irish bar in an underground, medieval cellar that also displays Celtic/Pictic art and sayings, that plays fuzzed out 70’s psych rock and has free pool!!! This place was the bomb, but the highlight was when I ascended the narrow staircase to the toilets…the male urinal was a…wait for it…euphonium!!! I had a slash in a brass instrument that was actually plumbed in!!! FFFS – talk about craic!!! Reminded me off when we used to smoke ciggies through Johnny Prudence’s trumpet!!!
Well Jen and I had three games of pool and I am pleased to say that I won 2 from 3!! I also tried a Kriek – which is a Belgium cherry beer. I had several varieties over the next few days and am already planning on brewing my own.
We had such a great night that we extended our original 2 night stay into a four fighter.
They next few days saw us taking a canal cruise – where we saw the hotel that Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson stayed in for “In Bruges” – walking the beautiful cobblestoned streets, Jen salsa dancing, eating fries, and finally we were lucky enough to be here for the Festival of the Golden Tree. This is a parade that winds its way through the streets and tells the history of Bruges from the wedding of Catherine of York all the way to the today. It was huge, complete with dancers, marching bands, horse and carriages and parade floats. A great way to spend a Saturday arvo…they also repeated it the next day – sooo we were extra lucky.
Bruges is such a safe, beautiful, little town. We felt rested after the hectic pace of the Expat tour and we are now ready to attack the UK and maybe have one or two big party nights in the ‘Burgh. I’m typing this as we sit on the old P&O ferry from Calais to Dover and life is good my friends.
Ciao til next time.
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