Traveling Disers are lost and adrift somewhere?

[edcrbnsoul]

 

[castlegazer]

Beer, and lots of it - so, you may want to pick up a cane - or a lock for your wallet, prior to us heading off this afternoon on a lace buying spree.

Ok, since you asked, here is where we will head to prior to lunch and then will have lunch in their cafe, The original brewerypub where you can enjoy our draughtbeer " Straffe Hendrik " and a tasty, regional dish.

But prior to that we will need to get to see Michaelangelo's statue - I will get to that in a little bit - but I HAVE TO GET SOME VERY boring work done first.

The homebrewery " The Half Moon " traces its origins back to 1564. Proof of that is found in the cityarchives, which mentions a brewery " The Moon " on the walplein. In 1856, Henri Maes bought the building and turned it in to a modern brewery. His sons Henri and Achère are as passionate about brewing as their father and so they take over the brewery. Henri, the second, travels to England to learn about the latest brewing techniques and when he returns, he decides to built a brand-new kilning facility. Henri, the third, takes over after the First Worldwar. Now, they not only sell the beer in barrels, burt also bottled beer is sold by the salesmen on horse-drawn carriages. When the thirties arrive, the lagerstyle beer gets very popular, so Henri decides to pick up on this new trend. So he changes his brewery to adjust to the newest brewing technology. When people are getting more and more interested in tradionally brewed regional beers,. Henri IV, introduces a new beer in 1981. It's a blond top fermenting beer with a rather high alcohol volume, which gives the beer the appropriate name " Straffe Hendrik "(Strong Henri). Even in the Town Hall in Bruges, they appreciate this new beer and so it is being served on official parties and meetings. Nowadays the historical building is still owned by the fifth generation of the Maes family, which manages the brewerycomplex and welcomes the numerous visitors. The brewing of the " Straffe Hendrik " beer is ensured by the " Huisbrouwerij Straffe Hendrik B.V.B.A. ", who does the sales in and outside Belgium.

 

[suzannen]

Well, I completely missed Denmark and have been hurrying through all the previous beer and chocolate stops in Belgium to catch up with you. Bruges is truly stunning. Are there any little boat tours to take?

(IRL I've been at our beach house where our computer died. I just got back after a week to find 1,547 emails to wade through!)

Castlegazer, don't let them tire you out at work too much. There must be some fun nightlife here!

 

[travlnman1]

I went to high school in Brussels Belgium at the International School of Brussesl. (1978)
I miss it terribly!
Thanks for all the memories of Brugges. A beautiful city.
I'd love to try that beer!
I'm a simple Stella Artois girl at heart.

And in Belgium, we eat frites (french fries) and moules (mussels)

Oh my gosh..I'm salivating! DELICIOUS!

Can't wait to go back.

 

[travlnman1]

Oh..and in my flower garden in my back yard, I have a Manniken Pis fountain!!

Wish I could send you a picture.
He's so cute. BUt I don't dress him. He's au natural!

 

[castlegazer]

You are so right, I was trying to get a good picture while we were in Brussels of Frites and people eating them in the cafes, but I couldn't get one. I had some of the best mussels while in Brussels too - maybe that can be on the menu tonight.

Glad you stopped by. Sorry if I am a little rough on the Benelux, I found the country to be beautiful but some of the "attractions" to be weird. The same can be said about the world's largest ball of string or the attractions in many of the States. Belgium is definately a country not to be missed - but it often is.

OK, so about that canal tour - then its off to see the Grote Market and the Bellfry and then off to see Michaelangelo's statue and then to shop till we drop - I have got to get some more lace:

 

[deadheadbelle]

Oh boy, this canal tour is amazing.

I had some of the best mussels while in Brussels

You're a poet & don't know it.

 

[castlegazer]

Yup - didn't know it.

On to the Church of Our Lady (13th-15th century) : this church, with a 122 m high tower, contains an extremely rich art collection. Top of the bill is of course the white marble Madonna with Child by Michelangelo. In the choir gallery are the mausoleums of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold, as well as a number of remarkable polychromed tombs (13th-14th century). P.S. : no sightseeing during church services! Weekend services : Saturday, 5 p.m.. & 6.30 p.m. / Sunday, 11 a.m.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Wow! How beautiful.

Um, I'm sorry all my posts are kind of boring & the same (Wow! Great! Beautiful!). I just want you to know I'm touring with you & the places you are posting are amazing.

Are we gonna have a beer break anytime soon? I'm getting thirsty.

 

[castlegazer]

You know, it never ceases to amaze me how much is now out there on the Internet. When I visited Europe - way too long ago - I did some research on the Internet, but it was mostly by books, to get an understanding of where we would be going to. When I went to see this statue I had an impossible time getting a good photo of it - its very dark in the chapel and the crowds are immense waiting to see it. It would have been awesome to just download a picture to add to my photo album. But that just wasn't an option at that time.

by the way DHB, you're not being boring - its nice to know I am not talking to myself here - although, don't put that past me. Geez, girl - how much beer do you need, we just finished up our liquid lunch - but just wait, you'll need a beer after this next stop!

OK, are you guys ready to climb to the top of Belfort Tower in the Markt?

As you climb to the top of the belfry tower, discover the treasury, the impressive clock mechanism, the 47-bell carillon and, finally, a breathtaking panoramic view over the city.

Other pictures of Grote Markt:

The Grote Markt in Brugge is one of the most impressive squares in the Benelux. With Brugge's famous Belfort tower situated atop the Cloth Hall, the huge Provincial Government Palace to it's left, and the rows of buildings lining the rest of the square, being here is like stepping back in time. The only thing that confirms you're in the 21st century is the hordes of camera toting tour groups. Oh, yeah, the cars, buses and taxis offer a clue as well.

The sound of horsehoofs hitting cobblestones fills the square as tourists take carriage-rides through the town. You hear the voice of the carriage driver who doubles as a tour guide explaining the sights along the way in English, French, German or Flemish. Slightly less endearing is the sound of motorized scooters rushing through the city. At various times throughout the day the bells of different churches and towers ring across the roofttops. Brugge offers quite a rich audio experience.

You can climb the 366 steps of the Belfort tower to gain a birds-eye view of the city. The stairway is narrow, steep and claustrophobic. People with health issues should not try this, but if you can climb up, be sure to take your camera. You can also tour the Cloth Hall below or the Provincial Government Building to the left.

huff, huff, huff - oh boy, I'm not going to make it....
View from the tower:

 

[deadheadbelle]

OK, I made it to the top. Where's the beer?

 

[castlegazer]

Congratulations!

OK, since we are now sufficiently limber and, well, sufficiently medicated, we can go shopping:

Bruges is famous for its beautiful lace. There are many shops where you can buy lace products and sometimes you will find a lady sitting outside the shop demonstrating the making of lace.

I've read a lovely legend about lace on the website mentioned below. Here it is:

Legend of Serena

Once upon a time there was a fair maiden in the enchanting town of Bruges. Serena was her name and she loved the young sculptor Arnout. Alas she could not marry him, for she had to spin day and night to work for her widowed mother and four little sisters and a brother. One sunny autumn day she went walking and dreaming of her forbidden love, she fell asleep. All off a sudden silvery threads fell from the trees into a beautiful pattern of flowers on her apron. She awoke, gazed and then rushed home. With threads cut from her spinning wheel, she made the wondrous design over again. When it was finished a wealthy merchant bought it. Soon many people wanted the same marvellous lace-work. Serena became rich and finally married the prince of her charms. They lived happily ever after.
So came into being the art of lace, which for over five hundred years made Bruges famous as the world capital of this fairy-like art.

Bruges Lace is mainly characterised by its abundance of floral motifs which spread throughout the design. They are made separately and then joined to each other by sewings.

The ground is made of plaited bars, sometimes decorated with picots. Reseaux or other grounds may appear at certain points. The motifs are of wholestitch or halfstitch. The design and working of the ordinay Bruges Flower lace are relatively coarse.

And I know this isn't lace but I bought a beautiful Tapestry in Brugge, so here is an example of tapestries:

 

[castlegazer]

OK, that's it for Julie McCoy - over and out. I've got to go back to work now. It will be up to Ed to make sure we eat tonight. Oh, and I have no ideas for dinner - I can't remember where we ate at - we probably ate at a McDonald's knowing my nephew and his thirst for adventure in regional cuisines.

I'll leave you with one last photo of Brugge so you don't forget you are in the land of windmills.

Oh, and I just passed by these two people eating mussels on a sidewalk cafe in Brugge.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I wonder if thats where our Serena got her screen name

Legend of Serena

Once upon a time there was a fair maiden in the enchanting town of Bruges. Serena was her name and she loved the young sculptor Arnout. Alas she could not marry him, for she had to spin day and night to work for her widowed mother and four little sisters and a brother. One sunny autumn day she went walking and dreaming of her forbidden love, she fell asleep. All off a sudden silvery threads fell from the trees into a beautiful pattern of flowers on her apron. She awoke, gazed and then rushed home. With threads cut from her spinning wheel, she made the wondrous design over again. When it was finished a wealthy merchant bought it. Soon many people wanted the same marvellous lace-work. Serena became rich and finally married the prince of her charms. They lived happily ever after.
So came into being the art of lace, which for over five hundred years made Bruges famous as the world capital of this fairy-like art.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Hey travlnman1 stop by anytime we love company

 

[suzannen]

Originally posted by travlnman1
And in Belgium, we eat frites (french fries) and moules (mussels)

Welcome, travlnman1!
I'd be happy to join you for a frites and moules with some nice beer to wash it down, of course. Sounds like a heavenly way to end a Monday!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

As the Sun set last night we sailed to Le Havre France

 

[ibouncetoo]

OH MAN! I missed Brussels !?! I wanted to sing the song.........



Back in the days when Brussels was young (?)
Back in the days of the silent movies
Back in the days when Brussels would swing
Back in the days when Brussels bustled.......

There was my grandfather.......
There was my grandmother.............
He wanted to

oops! this song is not appropriate for the DIS!

.................nevermind.....................

 

[goofy4tink]

Wow!!! CG, that's some nice work with the camera you're doing! Loved seeing it all. We sure are seeing some great stuff here. Now, if I hadn't eaten all that chocolate I wouldn't have to hoof it all over Paris! Wonder what kind of wine we're going to find? I'm not a big fan of beer, but wine is a whole different story. Hmmm.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

After Breakfast this morning

we will do a tour of Le havre and then tonight head for Paris

Le Havre is open to the world and totally geared towards the future. What better place to breathe, work, undertake, study, have fun, relax and simply... live life... to the full !

From a social point of view, the nearness of the sea helps create open-mindedness and friendship. In fact, the warmth and hospitality of Le Havre's inhabitants is a well-known phenomenon. Also, as in any big open-minded, dynamic and attractive city, Le Havre is home to variety of different communities and cultural traditions.

Notre-Dame cathedral
Rue de Paris

The first chapel of Notre Dame de Grâce, built in the 12th century, was destroyed in 1359.Since the creation of the town, there have been 3 different constructions on the site where Le Havre's main church stands today.

The first one built in 1517 was a small wooden chapel, with a thatched roof. This modest sanctuary was soon to become too small for its functions and in 1536 Jean de Marceilles replaced it with a construction containing stone pillars. The main door of this second church is still present on the ground floor of today's belltower.

In 1539, the inhabitants of Le Havre decided to build a great church but construction work was interrupted by religious problems when only the bell tower had been finished. The nave, without its roof, wasn't added until 1597. The Northern doorway, situated in Rue des Drapiers, was built in 1605. The present western facade was started in 1611 and finished in 1630.

The church suffered bomb damage several times during the war and the nave was destroyed in the bombing raid on September 5th 1944.

Notre Dame Church has been classed as an official historical monument since February 10th 1919.