After heading for a stroll to take some loose bags to the car we made our way to Coffeebar Adriaan for a coffee and a couple games of backgammon. We then headed back to the hotel for check out and to leave our bags in the storage room before taking to the streets. We had initial plans of visiting the chocolate museum but the sun was peering through the clouds and the weather outside was saying otherwise. We strolled the canals, side streets and residential suburbs while intermittently popping our heads into shops. I found a great vinyl shop called Cherry Picker which had loads of brand new records including many of the Warner repertoire that we already have at home as well as a lot that I still need to order through work. It’s crazy to see the prices that physical music is commanding as well as the demand for this even in this new digital music era. It only took me a few minutes to realise the insane value of the records we have at home (in storage) from work orders over the years. I can’t wait to get a good player and break a couple of them in.
For brunch we had been drawn to “That’s Toast” as it kept creeping up in reviews and online articles of places to eat in Bruges. We queued for a about 15 minutes and during that time I chatted to Thands and got to see beautiful Ayra wake up from her lunchtime nap. Ooh she must be so amped for her first proper Christmas (she’s 2) now that she understands the concepts and celebrations around it so much more than a year ago.
Once inside we ordered bloody Mary’s (delicious!) and some classics from their “Savory Toast” section. Ash got the Mogu – mushroom humous, mixed creamy mushrooms, chilli pepper topped with a fried egg. I ordered The Triple Madame – molten Bruges cheese and Serrano jam on triple layered toast topped with a fried egg and sweet pepper mayo on the side. We ended up sharing them anyway as both were unreal. After brunch we needed to walk off the fullness so we browsed shops for secret Santa gifts and also bought ourselves some beautiful Moroccan handmade glassware from Harfi. It was then to the car for our short 50km journey across to Ghent.
Ash registered our vehicle on route as it’s a low emission zone and vehicles require a free registration prior to entry into the city. We parked at the nearest underground parking to our accommodation and lugged the bags over to La Lys studio apartments where we had Booking.com’d a place for the night. Once again, our place was in the heart of the city and only a stone throw from their famous Christmas market. It also commanded great views up the street and onto the cathedral.
The weather has become quite a bit warmer over the past few days, but at the same time a lot wetter which I actually dislike more. We grabbed the brollie and headed for the market to take in some of the evening sights. My goodness this architecture is incredible! Medieval in parts, stone faced, ancient sky scraper cathedrals, multi coloured and puzzle pieced together. Simply epic.
Although the market was filled with the Christmas specialities of chocolate waffles, crepes, bratwurst, toasties and sweets galore we fancied the healthier southern meal of sushi. Ash found a place close by called Twilight Sushi and we sat and shared a few classic rainbow and californian rolls and a Maes lager. Still my favourite meal.
We then hit up the shops for some water , fruit and smoothies for the morning and headed back through the market to the our studio apartment for the finale of Traitors and a good sleep. Tomorrow we will see Ghent in a bit of day light which should be impressive with all these buildings and also need to make a decision on whether we drive through to Amsterdam a day earlier than originally planned. Let the roadie continue 🙌🏻
KEEP RIGHT PASS LEFT 