Bruges, 22-23 October 2016
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On the second day we cycled to Damme. Damme used to be on a waterway from Bruges to the sea, but now there is a direct canal connecting the sea with Bruges.
The morning was sunny but cold. The grass was covered with frost, and the mist was floating over the fields.
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These traffic signs are a good reflection of the Belgian sense of humour.
The mist is gone. The canal is flanked by a bicycle track on both sides and a road on one side. And the usual poplar trees.
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A typical country house and a windmill not far from Damme.
A brick fence is decorated with bronze animals.
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Apart from big-eyed frogs, there was a funny donkey and furry owlets.
Damme Town Hall was built in the XV century.
We spent some time wandering through Damme. There were very few tourists, the Summer season was over. We reached the end of the village. This picturesque bike has obviuosly visited one of the nearby canals.
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Church of Our Lady built in 1230. It was partially dismantled, so the bell tower is only linked to the main building by an arcade. The tourists are allowed to climb up the tower in the Summer. |
Blik Van Lich (View of Light) sculpture by Charles Delporte. |
We cycled back to Bruges on the other side of the canal. We saw this building decorated with an old clock and nine little bells.
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A cycle path by the canal. |
There were several obstacle courses along the route. |
We got home, picked up our stuff and just before leaving tried out this bike. Our landlady said that it was the only one of this type in Bruges.
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It was an interesting experience. There is no saddle on this bike, and you move forward by pressing the pedals - a little bit like a treadmill.
The wall of this house is decorated with stone tiles.
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A shop window.
A canal in the city centre. All houses are different.
Bits of Bruges resemble St Petersburg...
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We are looking for the chocolate museum. Touristy streets are never far away from some really quiet places.
A flowerbed in a quiet neighbourhood.
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A keen-eyed tourist will notice many interesting features. Here a frog is inviting you for coffee, and a fox is on a hunt for some food.
A litle sqsare in the South of Bruges.
Wijngaardstraat leads to the Horse Fountain.
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The Horse Fountain. The horse heads are rather mischivous...
The Horse Fountain is still used as a drinking fountain for the horses that carry tourists around. This square is linked to the Bruges Beguinage via a little bridge.
Beguinage in Bruges was founded in 1245.
Beguines were not monks, they were able to leave their home at any time.
A sign on one of the buildings of the Beguinage.
The Beguinage in Bruges is called Ten Wijngaerde. There are no beguines in it now, it is a convent for Benedictines.
White swans in a canal.
Lockhouse (sashuis).
This was the end of our trip to Buges. A coach brought us back to the ferry and we sailed to Hull. We were very lucky with the weather, both days were dry, sunny and crisp. We enjoyed cycling in Bruges, this was the first time we cycled in a foreign city. The bikes were offerent as a free add-on to the room, and our landlady even found a bike for Sonya. Two days in Bruges was just right for exploring the city and surroundings and visit a museum. A great trip!
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