Sailaway - The road journey from the UK to Carloforte, Sardinia, continues we move into Belgium.

II - The road journey from the UK to Carloforte continues, we move into Belgium.

Log Entry Monday 17th April - We head up to the east side of the city to visit the windmills and parks.

To the north east of the city, along the canal lie four, "Staakmolen" design windmills, all originally dating from the 18th century, refurbished over time.

They consist of, De Nieuwe Pappegai (1790), Bonne Chiere (1720), Sint-Janhuismolen (1770) and Koeleweimolen de Coelewey (1765). It is amazing to think that these wooden structures have remained over the centuries. All structures are based around a single structure design, rotating around a central pole as the wind changes direction, a fantastic engineering feat of the time?

The walk along the working canal is attractive in itself we see the locks in use today as they have been over the centuries. It must be amazing to live in the immediate area?

We check out one of the local pubs, amazing named "The Windmills" a great atmosphere, very friendly, a good place to spend an hour or so.

After leaving the pub, and duly rested, Ann decides she want to climb one of the windmills, she chooses the nearest, Koeleweimolen de Coelewey (1765). I stand back as Ann heads off and completes the task in her normal, determined manor!

Bruge was originally a "tidal port" going back beyond the medieval times, that fact becomes clearer when you study the town layout. It is, or was a city surrounded by a tidal moat, with inner canals. To the west, was a wall of windmills, four of them remaining today, now surrounded by urban parkland. Today we head into the city centre/old town for which the city is probably best known?

Although we are only about 3km from the city centre, instead of utilising public transport, we opt to drive in, parking in a multi-story carpark just next to the bus terminal, then take one of the local coaches into the centre.

An easy trip, within a few minutes of getting on the bus we are on foot in the old town, a town of such ancient origin, needless to describe the streets and buildings, the photographs do that.

The walk is like stepping back in time, a fascinating, but very expensive city?

The clock tower being central and probably the best known, too many stairs to the clock tower, the cues a little off putting too.

The building are unique and numerous, the section of the Parliamentary Hall, is grand as any government build, no expense sparred originally, nor over the years on it's up keep?

The canal sections too are interesting, ancient bridges and buildings, we looked at a couple of boat tours but each cue forecast to be around an hour long - to long to stand waiting?

Each section of the canal as we made our way back towards the bus route to the car had its own attractions, this second hand market keep us interested for some time?

Log Entry Saturday 15th April - We arrived late last night from Amsterdam, settling down in Sint-Kruis, just out of Bruge.

Bruge, one of the most romantic cities in Europe was a last moment choice for us resulting from a brief conversation with our good friend, Peter, in Amsterdam. It was a choice also assisted with the weather ahead for the next few days - temperatures well below freezing to the south of us for the next 5 - 7 days? Our route, approximately 175 miles, takes us almost directly west, keeping us above the cooler weather, we ended up in the area of Sint Kruis, just off the cities ring road.

We settle down, explore the immediate area, plenty of cafes, bars and supermarkets with a shopping mall less than 500 meters away - into the city of Bruge! The site is small and family run, they are extremely helpful with regards to our trip into the city, supplying maps and options with regards to getting into the city.