Brugges… oh my heart

Oh Brugge…. It is every bit as beautiful as I had imagined. My pictures actually really don’t do it justice. It’s magic- like in an old fairytale… cobblestone streets, and gingerbread houses, and horse drawn carriages clip clopping down the centuries old streets. Thee bitter ice cold wind creeping around the corner, but warm tea rooms and castle like hotels sanctuaries from the cold, blue skies.
And two little girls with big smiles and very rosy cheeks.
We arrived to the last flurry of unexpected snow, and a big blue sky emerged. Our hotel is beautiful. It is like a castle, and the girls have a loft room- their beds nestled amongst the rafters (literally). I will get more photos of the hotel tomorrow; but it is one of the most special places we have ever stayed.
Bruges is a UNESCO world heritage site. People still live in original housing from the time of Napoleons reign. The locals speak Flemish (and we have picked up a few Flemish words- the kids love to say ‘Hallo’ and ‘Dank Je Wel’ (thank you) to everybody they meet, as it is often greeted with a surprised and very enthusiastic return greeting).
Audrey has FINALLY dropped her cockney English accent (that took hold on the first day in England) but Olive has decided she loves the way the French speak, and insists on saying most of her English words in a slight French accent (along with many French words we often don’t understand). We are now called ‘mumma and father’ by her 😳🥴🤣).
We toured the city today both by boat through the canals and by horse drawn cart (our horses name aptly was Napoleon). We will explore the city more tomorrow.
I’ve decided we should move here and open a cafe. I’m sure everyone at home would be OK with that 😜. We saw a few divine places along the canal for sale today. I’m sure they are going cheap. The girls can teach us Flemish and French 😉
This should be on everyone’s bucket list. It is a very special little part of the world 💖Read more