In Bruges

We had a very early start this morning - 4.45am to be precise! I set the alarm on my mobile phone and also arranged for a wake-up call from the Night Receptionist as I was terrified of sleeping in and missing our train which left Ebbsfleet at 7.08am (why so precise??).

We were up and out by 5.45am and driving the short distance along the M2 to the Junction for the Eurostar. It was very quiet, thank goodness and we checked in easily and went through security which was exactly the same as at the airport, although we were allowed liquids and pretty much anything else as long as it wasn't a weapon!

As we were a bit early we had a cup of coffee but by 6.50am we were down on the platform and awaiting the train which had started its journey at St Pancras in London. Our coach was number 1, about as far from the terminal building as you can get! It was raining so the walk was not a pleasant one!


The train was packed full of suits on their way to Brussels for work and I was very glad I'd booked us around a table as it gave us a tiny bit more space than those who were in the airline style seats. We had a neighbour with us in our group of four but he was very chivalrous and helped us put our bags on the racks above the seats.

We made our way to France at high speed and before very long we were hurtling through the Channel Tunnel. We had a bite to eat in the buffet bar (no seats, standing only) and soon we were rolling along in France and looking out at farmland, small villages and cattle grazing.

It only took us two hours to get to Brussels at a top speed of 186 mph, so very fast indeed! We then had to find a train going to the Belgian coast which stopped at Bruges along the way and we boarded one at just after 10.30am. This was slower but much more comfortable and the journey took about an hour, most of it going back the way we had already travelled!

At the station we hired a taxi from one of the grumpiest taxi drivers I have ever met and within a few minutes we were at our hotel, the Jan Brito which is situated in the centre of Bruges.

We were a bit early so after checking in we left our bags in their left luggage facility and went to explore. I was able to get my bearings very soon as the hotel was close to the canal. The weather was a bit overcast but it wasn't cold and at least it wasn't raining!

We walked along the canal and into the main square, which was full of scaffolding, and then had lunch at a small bistro in a side street. It was certainly warm enough to sit outside and the sun came out while we were having lunch making it very pleasant indeed!

I had to try the local beer called Bruges Fool!

I warned mum that this break would consist of lots of walking and it did! After lunch we wandered up to 't Zand, a large open area which is the historical centre of Bruges and which has many bars and restaurants. Mum and Dad stopped here when they very briefly visited the city a few years back and it was really all they saw of the sights. We continued back to the Market Square by way of the main shopping street and of course Sophie just had to go and buy some tops in H&M!!

I managed to guide us back to the sights and the canals and we admired the Belfry which was built in the 13th century. It's an amazing building but when I see it now I can't help thinking of the film "In Bruges" and one of the main characters falling from the top to meet a grisly death on the cobblestones below!

Mum fancied stopping for a cup of coffee so we called in at a little tearoom overlooking the canal and the very posh hotel, the Bourgondisch Cruyce.

We thought it would be lovely to take a boat onto the canal after our quick break and it was also an ideal way to see a lot of the interesting sights without walking! The canal boat ride was very pleasant and mum loved being able to see some gorgeous buildings and bridges without wearing out her shoe leather! The journey took about half an hour and we were delighted when the sun came out and the sky turned a beautiful shade of blue, making everything look even more attractive!

After our trip on the canal we headed back to the hotel to check into our rooms and have a little rest before the evening. We were very pleased with both our rooms which were in the garden area.

Our room, tucked away in the corner

Mum's room

Our bathroom

Our bedroom

The gardens at the hotel are very pretty with a large fountain in the middle, lots of places to sit and a very peaceful, tranquil atmosphere. We unpacked our bags and had a rest ready for the evening to come!