Our visit to Bruges City in 10 pictures by Colleen Keating

 

Bruges

Michael and I chose Bruges  to spend a few days while we were overseas. We read  that Burges is one of the most walkable friendly cities in the world  and I have always longed to see it. It is announced as  one of the most well-preserved medieval city in  Europe and it is seen as a welcoming destination for travellers from all over the world.

The whole city emanates an appreciation of the past, a love of the present, and enthusiasm for the future.
Bruges, the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium, is distinguished by its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings. Its port, Zeebrugge, is an important center for fishing and European trade. In the city center’s Burg square, the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall) has an ornate carved ceiling. Nearby, Markt square features a 13th-century belfry with a 47-bell carillon and 83m tower with panoramic views. There are ancient churches, old buildings and wonderful shops  parks , canals and plenty of places to sit and watch the people wandering along. Bikes, scooters, horses and carriages clip-cloppinh   along on the cobbled stones was a familar sound. 

Getting there 

Elizabeth helped us get the travel details organised. She  booked us seats on the Eurostar. We had to travel by train to St Pancreaes International Railway station and we caught the 7am  Channel-tunnel train. It was very exciting. We were only just on time, as we needed to go through security as it was like flying and  leaving the country.

The journey was great fun out of England 30  or so minutes  by train under water and into France and Belgium . At Brussels we changed trains to a local train for and hour to Bruge and then Michael and I walked to our accommodation which we had planed. 

We were in a fairy tale city. We found our booked apartment which was grander than we had expected and quickly enjoyed walking. . .and of course getting lost . We were lost a lot but I guess that is how one explores.

And when Elizabeth joined us  two days later the fun really began with waffles and  Belgium chocolate and beer  and lots of walking , a ride on the canals and discovering lots of little corners of amazing stories like the Lovers bridge , the Beguines quiet world and many colourful experiences.

 

 

 

Elizabeth went off by herself to climb the The Belfry of Bruges. It soars high above the city’s medieval skyline to 83 metres. It’s now a veritable icon of the town – just look up and you’ll be able to see it from virtually all corners of the old centre. What’s more, its location on the main Market Square means it’s easy to get to on foot. Dating back to the 13th century, the mighty tower hides a winding spiral staircase of 366 steps. At its top, sweeping vistas of the town and the countryside beyond unfold. But there are other secrets within, like the old municipal treasury rooms and music rooms. Others will recognise the belfry from the 2008 hit flick In Bruges.  A few steps further on you will see the impressive music drum that operates the carillon and the keyboard used by the city carilloneur to play the tower’s 47 carillon bells. 

An amazing surprise to experience a new Michaelango sculpture. The Madonna of Bruges is a marble sculpture by Michelangelo of the Virgin and Child. Michelangelo’s depiction of the Madonna and Child differs significantly from earlier representations of the same subject, which tended to feature a pious Virgin smiling down on an infant held in her arms. In this scuplture the son is stepping away and the madonna is just still touching his arm  allowing him to step forth.

         

It was special for Elizabeth and I to sit and ponder the mother and child.

Michael and I have experienced  other Michaelangos  and found them highlights and this experience was no exception.

We experienced  La Pièta, in the Vatican,
We have seen Moses  in  the St Peters in Chains  just out of Rome,
We have loved David in Florence
and now the Madonna and Child  here in the  Museun of the Chapel of Our Lady Bruges.

The ‘Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde’ with its white-coloured house fronts and tranquil convent garden was founded in 1245. This little piece of world heritage was once the home of the beguines, emancipated lay-women who nevertheless led a pious and celibate life. For centuries, the Bruges beguinage has been inhabited continuously. Today, some nuns from the Order of Saint Benedict and Order of Vincent de Paul live there, as well as single women from Bruges.

 

 

 

Saint Hildegard Beer : An amazing surprise!

Yes this is real . A can of beer called St Hildegard.

What a surprise when my son-in-law sent me a iphone photo of a St Hildegard can of beer.

He was at a hotel for a celebration and was so excited when he saw this can. I think everybody quickly became aware his mother-in-law had research and written about this woman and this was exciting news for Brendan to relate to me . Then for my birthday the family  bought me a carton  of Hildegard beer !!!!and it has been good for toasting the wonderful milestones my book  Hildegard of Bingen: A poetic journey has achieved.

This beer celebrates Saint Hildegard – who I know as Hildegard of Bingen.

I see Hildegard an inspiration but am just learning young people in pubs are celebrating her as the  first person to describe hops in a scientific manner.

The  back of the can reads:
Brewery: Hawkers Beer
Style: American Pale Ale
Format: 375ml Can
ABV: 4.6%
This beer celebrates Saint Hildegard, the first person to describe hops in a scientific manner. During her life, she was a brewer, mystic, prophet, composer, and prolific writer on religion and the natural world.

Mel’s hop-forward XPA predominately features Yakima Chief Hops’ Pink Boots Blend, consisting of a well-rounded mix of Pacific Northwestern hop varieties including Loral, Mosaic, Simcoe, Sabro, and Glacier.

A portion of the profits from this beer will be donated to Pink Boots Australia and the Asylum Seeker Research Centre.

Hawkers/Pink Boots/ Cryer Malt Saint Hildegard XPA

A collaboration with Pink Boots Australia.

Mel’s hop-forward XPA predominately features Yakima Chief Hops’ Pink Boots Blend, consisting of a well-rounded mix of Pacific Northwestern hop varieties including Loral, Mosaic, Simcoe, Sabro, and Glacier.

A portion of the profits from this beer will be donated to Pink Boots Australia and the Asylum Seeker Research Centre. This made me very excited that a beer called after Hildegard was helping asylum seekers. 

Hildegard and Hops

Wild hops had long been consumed by ancient Romans and used medicinally in different parts of the world for their anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, and sedative qualities. So her observations of melancholy were apt, albeit arguably a bit shortsighted.

“Hops are the soul of beer.” – Jim Koch, Founder, Boston Beer Company

But given that hops had not been used in beer-making previously, and they were a long way from being ubiquitous or oft-cultivated, it is not surprising that the many benefits of hops had eluded Hildegard.  However, knowing Hildegard’s fondness for bitter tasting foods, it makes sense that she be the one to include this naturally bitter flavor in what we know of today as beer.

Some pointers I picked up from healthyhildegard.com  the wonderful informative website.

Health benefits of beer according to Hildegard

In her book,Causae et Curae, Hildegard wrote: “…[beer] positively affects the body when moderately consumed…beer fattens the flesh and…lends a beautiful color to the face.”

As it turns out, she was right on all accounts. Particularly regarding moderation. While far from a health tonic, beer does offer some unique qualities that have proven beneficial when consumed in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle. Moderation is important.

  1. Increased bone density
  2. Anti-Inflammatory
  3. Cancer fighter ( the flavonoids in hops contribute to the health benefits of beer including preventing cancerous cell growth.
  4. Cardiovascular Health ( of course in moderation and discretio
  5. Reduced risk of kidney stones
  6. Digestive health
  7. Reduced risk of alzheimersAs the long shadows of autumn cue us to bring in the harvest and prepare for the coming winter, get outside and enjoy the turning of the seasons. And if you are so inclined, find a long table in a park or a local brewpub and hoist a beer with friends and family, fatten your flesh (just a little), and don those rosy cheeks. In moderation or discretio, of course.

    Prost!