Destination: Bruges then home ..
Day 11 was sadly going to be the last day of my wonderful Windmills, Waffles and Waterloo adventure. I felt like I had really learned a lot on this trip and I was sad for it to end. I was however, massively looking forward to my last day as I would be visiting somewhere very special.
After spending the previous evening rewatching In Bruges – purely for research purposes, of course – I woke up buzzing with excitement. I couldn’t believe I’d be stepping onto one of my favourite movie sets!
Stop 1: Bruges
Having found some handy on street parking on the outskirts of the city at Gieterijstraat, I made my way towards the centre. As I walked the narrow streets, crossing tiny ornate bridges over the silently drifting canals, it felt instantly familiar. So much so, that I almost expected a confused Colin Farrell to wander past at any moment.
Upon reaching the heart of the city, that sense of familiarity grew stronger. The Belfry rose above the square exactly as it had on screen. But it seemed somehow grander, more textured, more real. The echo of footsteps on cobbles, the smell of waffles drifting from a nearby stall, the soft hush of the canals threading their way through the streets … I was actually in Bruges.
I wandered slowly, letting myself get a little lost. Bruges is the perfect city for that – every turn revealing another postcard‑worthy view, another bridge, another impossibly pretty reflection shimmering on the water.
Suddenly, a familiar tune woke me from my daydreams, and I realised the bells of the Belfry were chiming Bohemian Rhapsody. It was so unexpected and so surreal that I actually stopped in my tracks and giggled. Hearing such an iconic tune drifting across the medieval square made the whole place feel even more like a film set – as if Bruges itself had decided to provide the soundtrack for my morning.
Still smiling to myself about the fabulous and slightly bonkers interpretation of the Queen classic, my meanderings soon found me standing outside the Museum of the Church of Our Lady. The lanes around it were already incredibly busy. They held a fascinating mixture of locals on bicycles, intensely focussed tourists, and a very convincing Tintin impersonator. Just inside the museum reception was a small tourist information point, so I popped in to pick up a map to make sure I didn’t miss any of the key sights.
The staff were lovely and gave me a few suggestions. But honestly, Bruges is one of those places where you could throw the map away and still stumble across something beautiful every few minutes.
Wandering back out into the sunshine, I followed the sound of chatter towards a little canal side market. It was effortlessly charming. The artsy stalls were lined up along the water, with locals selling handmade crafts, the soft ripple of the canal providing the perfect backdrop behind them. I took my time browsing, admiring everything from delicate lacework to quirky souvenirs, before becoming aware of a very enticing aroma.
The smell of waffles quite quickly lured me into a cute little café located just back from the canal. It had a cosy, slightly old‑fashioned charm, with wooden tables, soft lighting, and a steady stream of locals popping in for their morning fix. The people serving were incredibly friendly, the kind who make you feel like a regular even though you’ve only just walked through the door.
I ordered a waffle with strawberries. When it arrived it was like something from a weightwatchers nightmare. Not only was it topped with strawberries, it also had whipped cream, icing sugar, and a very generous drizzle of syrup. A true Belgian waffle, it did not disappoint … crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and unapologetically messy. I sat for a good long while, happily making a mess of myself and the plate and watching the world drift by. Outside the smooth cobbles gleamed in the bright sunshine, and the streets echoed with the occasional clatter of bicycle wheels. It was one of those rare simple moments that stays with you forever. Nothing dramatic, just a perfect little pause in a perfect little city.
Suitably energised, I headed into a nearby shop and picked up a few local craft beers to take home as souvenirs. I always try to bring back something authentic, and Belgium certainly has no shortage of excellent beers. With my little haul safely tucked away, I set off again, ready to see what other corners of the city were left to discover.
Sadly, it was not so long before my wonderful trip to Bruges had to end. As I headed back to the car, my face was beaming. It couldn’t have been a better day and I was glad to have discovered that Bruges was every bit as special as I’d hoped it would be!
Stop 2: Le Shuttle
My very last stop on this trip would be in Calais. As with my previous adventure I’d elected to take Le Shuttle back across the Channel. It wasn’t much of a drive from Bruges to Calais, and the trains run to the UK several times an hour.
The Calais terminal is light and airy, has several eateries and a great duty free. It’s also exceptionally well organised and it wasn’t long before I was queueing for my train.
The trains are huge, so boarding takes a wee while, but all in it’s typically around 20 minutes before everyone is on. Then its just another 35 minutes for the train to reach Folkestone. So easy!
While you are travelling, you can get out of your car and move around, though it’s not recommended. The cars are separated into ‘carriages’ with locking doors between them for safety reasons, but you can move between carriages and there are loos on board.
I’m leaving a little video here for anyone who’s not had the pleasure of travelling via Le Shuttle previously.
So there we are, another fantastic adventure comes to a close. But of course my next trip is already being planned … so keep a look out for a new series of posts later this year!
Spoiler alert … there will be sun, Sangria and siestas! See you soon, until then …
Happy Travels!!
