A short mini-break (or mini-cruise, as P&O amusingly call it) to Bruges as a 70^th birthday present from Mel. And what a delightful town it is.

It’s been at the back of my mind to visit one day (and watching the film “In Bruges” strengthened the intention), but it always seemed too much of a hassle for a short trip either flying or using Eurostar. Then we came across a ferry option: overnight from Hull to Zeebrugge, and transfer by coach to Bruges.

Such a relaxing way to travel. Becky took us to the ferry terminal at Hull (just an hour’s drive), no airport hassles of long check-in queues and security checks, just a casual amble onto the ship; and no worries about lack of leg room, and decent bunk beds to get some sleep.

Just half an hour by coach from Zeebrugge to Bruges, then a leisurely 15 minute walk to the hotel. Amazingly, we were blessed with total sunshine for the whole visit, and made the most of it.

Bruges is only small, but still easy for me to get lost! Well, sort of… We’d pass a place that we wanted to return to, then couldn’t remember where it was… So much walking, since we wanted to cram in as much as possible, but all worthwhile: it really is a beautiful town.

Apart from all the attractions in the town, we also managed to walk to the outskirts to see the windmills along the canal, then walk back alongside quiet canals with some great photo opportunities.

Highlights? Probably the attempt to recreate the funny gun scene from “In Bruges” in Koningin Astridpark! And a Sunday morning waffle breakfast at Carpe Diem on Wijngaardstraat.