Saturday 20th September. Day 16.

Day 16. Another clear and crisp Autumn morning. We walked into Bruges after breakfast. I have never been here before and hadn’t realised what a lovely old town it is. A few of us climbed up the tower in the square – 366 steps and a spectacular panoramic view at the top 88 meters above the ground. The tower has 48 bells and they all started ringing just as we reached the top!!

Ears bleeding , we made our way back down the steps and had a coffee in the square and after took a 30 minute canal boat trip. The old centre of Bruges is very picturesque and a canal boat is a great way to see it. Many of the buildings are over 400 years old and there are window boxes filled with flowers everywhere and trees overhanging the water.

We then began walking back to the hotel but on route stopped off at a number of chocolate shops. The smell of the Belgium chocolate was so inviting and of course we had to buy some samples.

We arrived back at the hotel with our melted chocolates and collected the wagons and drove to a local supermarket to stock up on cheap goods.

We then began the trip to the Port. Following the Convoy Leaders we took a wrong turning and ended up at the entrance for the ferry to Scotland. We then proceeded to the correct entrance and began the long wait to board the ferry.

At the port James and I went onto the ferry as foot passengers to book a table for us all for dinner in the buffet restaurant. From the ferry deck I took pictures of the wagons waiting below. After further delay the wagons started to embark. Poor, poor Ricki had to reverse the lorry onto the ferry!!! Having survived that she made her way up to the bar to enjoy a glass of wine!!!! ( Ricki wrote this part of the blog if you hadn’t guessed )

All being well we will be back in Leeds tomorrow so come back for the final blog of the trip.

Over and out

P