Bruges, Belgium.

I usually visit France a couple of times a year, visiting my wife’s family, whilst there we always try to have a day in Bruges, Belgium.

Smelling the freshly cooked waffles and listening to the church bells or just enjoying the peacefulness this busy city somehow manages to emit, it is a lovely place just to wander around. Over the years I have ventured further away from the main centre and found the lesser known areas to be just as enjoyable to explore.

I’m not one of those who like to sit at a cafe to watch the world go by. As an enjoyable experience I’m sure that is I’d much rather be on my feet exploring. I could hire a bicycle and explore further but I prefer to be on foot. It’s easier to be able to take a photo or three.

Bruges is a photographer paradise. Street after street of photogenic medieval buildings lovingly looked after and restored. The canals break up what could be a monotony of brick and the regular boat trips give a view of the city that is not to be missed. At street level horses pull carriages of tourists on a guided tour around the narrow streets, sharing the cobblestones with the many cyclists.

I’m a country boy at heart but if I had to move to a city to live, then Bruges would be a strong contender.

The photos shown here are just a small selection of the many I have taken over the years. Many more, including 3d versions can be found on my Flickr site.