Well, Bruges! First impression was tourist Mecca - which isn't us at all. There were tour groups with numbered tags on poles held aloft by the guide, and they were up to group 12...... What a scary greeting as you arrive. We pushed on through the masses of cruise ship passengers "doing" Bruges, trying to get ahead of the press. Eventually we found the Markt and then the Burg, two adjacent town squares with their spectacular medieval architecture, lots of sunshine and people on push bikes. We found a cafe in an arcade which seemed enticing because of its canal views, so we sat down to order some lunch. As we waited we discovered that proximity to the canals isn't necessarily a bonus - there is an odour....but the mother duck and her ducklings in our little alcove made us forget the odour for the most part. After lunch we located our Hotel - Hans Memmling - just a few metres from the Markt, with lots of character. After we had settled in, we set off to see some more sights. By this time, most of the tour groups had skittered back to their buses, and things were calmer. We took a canal boat ride, which was very enjoyable, and then wandered around looking for dinner - and found it in an excellent restaurant. We had Belgian stew, with salad and friets [read fries - a local speciality apparently] followed by chocolate mousse. Delicious.
Next morning, after a continental breakfast in the hotel, we packed everything and asked the hotel to store it until we were ready to retrieve it and head for the buses to the port. And then headed off to the Bell Tower to climb it before the tour groups arrived again. We got there before it opened which was just as well - they only let 70 people in at a time, and sometimes it is at a standstill. Any way, 336 steps up and then back down again. Made it!
We strolled out to East Bruges to see the windmills and gates into the city, and back in again to see the now Benedictine nunnery. And had a lunch like the locals as demonstrated in the photo.....a bit of shopping, a bit of people watching, a delightful afternoon, and we found our bus back to the ferry in good time. Arrived back in Hull at 8:30am the next day, found a nice cabby to take us back to the car hire and we were back on the road, staying the night in Lincoln.
Today we went to Southwell, unbeknowns to us a minster town. An amazing church, where we had a lovely chat with one of the volunteers. Then onto the Workhouse which was a window onto the past. Then to Hardwick Hall (home of Bess) where we toured the house dodging bus loads of ladies who were there to see the floral competition displays that were using the place as a backdrop. The place was fascinating ; not sure that hosting the floral show was such a good idea. Too many people at cross purposes. Then explored the ruin of the old hall, and onto Matlock Bath to find our accommodation. We are at The Artist's Cottage. On the side of a hill. So long as we don't slide down it I suppose. We are here for 5 nights. I will have to think of menus - we shopped this afternoon, so at least there is weetabix.....