Bruges

Wednesday was my longest travel day of the trip - train from Munich to Franfurt, then Frankfurt to Brussels and finally Brussels to Bruges. So it meant a day of podcasts, reading and some general relaxing onboard the train.

Everything was running broadly ok, until the Brussels train despite arriving on time, stayed in the staion for quite a while. I think, from tracking on internet, that there was some vandalism outside Anderlecht but overall the delay was only about 45 mins.

A few days ago i noticed that FC Brugge were played in Champions League that evening. I had quickly searched about tickets without joy, but looked again when i arrived at hotel. I was slightly surprised that i was able to register on club site and book a ticket. It seemed a bit expensive (CPFC supporters dont get many champion league fixtures to attend) but i thought it should be a good evening. When ticket came through on my phone, i then noticed that the only option to purchase tickets had been for all 3 of the clubs home fixtures. So i either need to find a way to come back on the two other evenings, or i have a ticket free if anyone wants it!

The ground is about 15 mins away from station and i arrived 90mins or so in advance. After getting in, i went to get something to eat only to find that you buy everything on a club card. Eventually i found somewhere to get a card and to top up. The game was enjoyable, the home team played well in a close match. The deciding goal was an error by the Leverkeusen keeper and the home crowd were relieved when a goal was ruled out by VAR and a few minutes later by an offside flag. I noticed that a lot of the local chants were very similar to those you hear in a english football ground - sometimes in English sometimes translated - and it was slightly strange to hear You'll Never Walk Alone before kick off and Wonderwall at full time.

So Thursday was my main day here, and this time i signed up for an architectural walking tour. Hosted by a very enthusiastic guide ("my other job is TV producer") it provided a very good feel for another city with a history that i knew little about - having been one of the main trading ports in the world at one stage.

Photos of Bruges - be warned they are not edited so may contain multiple/poor photos: 

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