Day 12

This morning we say a teary goodbye to or Bike and Barge companions of the last week.  We have had a fabulous time forming a very compatible group that loved to cycle, talk, eat and drink (coffee for sure).

The next step on our journey is two days in Bruges and then on the train to Groningen. We have a delightful B&B called Gallery Yasmine here in Bruges for the next two nights. We spent the day sight seeing as bonified Bruges tourists with camera and map in hand.

Here is a selection of our days adventures.

Heading out.

At 'Love Lake' waiting for the ghost of a drowned maiden to speak to us.

Bruges is famous for it's impressive architecture.  It would appear that there is more appetite for preserving old buildings than is evident in Saskatoon.

We visited a walled oasis of calm called the Beguinage which was founded in 1245 and currently inhabited by the sisters of the Order of St. Benidict. Signs admonished visitors to be quiet and be part of the tranquility. These tree house sculptures by a Japanese artist added to the intrigue of the grounds.

Next we visited the Jerusalem Chapel, constructed in the 15th. century buy the Adornes family. I would not want to be on the building committee of this church looking for funds to keep the roof from leaking.

Look way up to the ceiling.

This is what you will see.

 

More inspiration to the carvers.

Next we wandered around town to take in the fabulous architecture built so well and so long ago.

City Hall and center of Government for more than 6 centuries.