Less Adventuresome Day in Belgium

Saturday is a busy day in Brugge, and I don't think it's just the tourists and their many languages echoing in the streets that makes it so. We would find out later that there are only 50 zoning permissions granted for holiday homes in Brugge so added to the B&B's and hotels you still have a fair amount of private homes in the walled city. I think many Belgians even come to Brugge for shopping and sightseeing too so there were a lot of folks even on a cold day wandering the streets.

The day started with a quick trip by Frank & me to the bakery for some baguettes, rolls and croissants. Fortified we then hit the town, very early for us! We lingered in our favorite kitchen store, Dille & Kamille that we discovered on our honeymoon 7 years ago and found the toy store that I always saw from tour buses and never made it to was right around the corner from our house. At lunchtime we went back for Scott who had rediscovered the joy of a long bath and we took him exploring and in search of food. After another panini for Scott and "belgian" fries with mayonnaise for us (the Belgians invented "french" fries, did you know?) we sent Scott and Frank on a boat tour of the canals and I went to run a few quick errands - a search for my favorite lace shop which had moved (now not so much lace, but still pretty stuff - Les bonheurs des dames) a visit to my favorite Christmas shop (now with a cellar open that is a winter wonderland with arched ceilings like an ancient wine cellar) and an indulgence of chocolate at my favorite choc store (van Oost).

The boys loved the boat tour and we were once again enjoying fabulous weather which made Brugge sparkle. We then headed home to pick up Nana and go for coffee and treats at de Medici, a sorbetiere. Tracy & I discovered this cafe back in 1995 and every trip to Brugge since has included it. We all ordered different desserts and received a wild assortment of sorbets, multi-layered pastry delights and hot chocolates/coffees that were served as though a main course. On our drink tray alone we got a slice of cake, scoop of ice cream and a chocolate. Scott was astounded and we amazed and delighted once again.

Since this was Nana's first venture in the out of doors, she wasn't feeling so well, we pushed her a bit further afield (you just don't tell her the direction you are going isn't homeward) and went back down Wollestraat, a great steet off the market square for lace, chocolates, great design and hidden vistas on the canals. When it started to rain, Frank and Nana headed home and Scott and I pushed on a bit more for one or two more shops, and some more pictures. That evening we played games, (Qwitch, a super fast card game, and Sequence) ate pasta and turned in early.