Magoo's Travels: Mini Cruise to Belgium and Guernsey - Day 3

Day 3

After a leisurely start to the day and breakfast in the Venetian restaurant on board, we disembarked and joined a party for a guided tour around the Belgian countryside and coast. It began with a very informative narration on the most impressive Zeebrugge docks and we then headed inland towards Brugge.

Early morning at Zeebrugge docks

Coaches arriving to pick up passengers

The drive through the countryside of Flanders was lovely as we passed through avenues of trees which seemed to line every road.

I don't know what trees these are but they are impressive.

As we approached Brugge and followed the road around the city we were tracing the course of the canals which line the route and these canals have very impressive, centuries old, windmills at regular intervals along the way.

One of the impressive windmills that lined our route

And another

What a perfect location to stop to try some local beers.

When we arrived at Damme we were shown a rather interesting church which for a number of reasons had never been finished, just added to as time passed. Originally just a tower of immense height it had previously been used as a lookout for marauding invaders and even as a lighthouse. The reason for the latter was that the coastline was not always where it is now as most of the land in Flanders has been reclaimed from the sea and the geography gradually altered.

Here are a few shots of the church, it's tower and a large head.

There's that head!!

We then had time to spend checking over the rest of the village with its picturesque architecture then it was time to try some more Belgian beer.

Quaint streets

Bikes and cafes

Les doing what she does best

Next we headed off to Knokke, a large and affluent seaside city which, if you believe the press, is destined to be Belgium's Jewel in the crown. It was OK, but not a place I would head back to.

Knokke promenade

Knokke tourist office

Knokke's 8 mile beach

Then it was back to the ship to relax for the afternoon before getting ready for the evening's entertainment. First of all it was off to the Glasshouse for our evening meal. What a good shout! Fantastic food and 'flights' of wine. Three different wines served at the same time to accompany the food. I was in heaven and Lesley was lost for words. I suppose there's a first time for everything.