Looking for a cosy, quaint B&B in Bruges? Beautifully appointed, tastefully decorated, each suite lovingly decorated in the colors of the owner’s favorite Wedgwood.
The Cosy Cote Canal
AT PLAY
For the home enhancers, the foodies, the wanderers
On Monasteries and Falafels…
Mont Saint-Michel – a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey surrounded by a small village at the foot of its walls – is really quite a technical feat considering it was built between the 11th and 16th centuries with granite that had to be floated across a kilometer of exceptionally powerful oceanic tides. Bordering Normandy and Brittany, the island has held strategic fortifications and since the eighth century AD, has been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name.
Interestingly, the structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it. On top God, the abbey and monastery, below this the Great Halls, then stores and housing, and at the bottom, outside the walls, fishermen and farmers housing. Well you all know your place now don’t you! And that’s your history lesson for the day.
Eight plus hours there and back plus three on the island making for a huge day with a very chilly wind factor but worth the effort just to see Fifi’s face when ever corner turned revealed yet another bunch of cobblestone steps. Then she discovered the art of hitching a ride on Pixi’s coat tails!
Arrived back foot sore and weary and just managed to stagger to L’as du Fallafel on rue des Rosiers to share a Falafel. Purported to be the best in town (the Marais is the Jewish district after all) and substantiated by satisfied grins as we made our way around the corner to home and bed.
Sacré-Cœur it’s cold!!
Worn the soles off shoes, the limited winter woolies off backs and the smile off Fifi. She needs a warmer jacket STAT. Pix is tiring of her black puffer, black knits, black jeans. She needs red jeans STAT! Shops first, but not before we share the last couple of days…
Proud to say we’ve totally mastered the Metro now! Jumped off at Père Lachaise to view Jim Morrison’s grave – a pile of curious tributes atop, and a sad chap weeping as he took photos, for him it appears the legend lives on. Climbed to the top of the Cemetery to view Edith Piaf’s too and a number of other noted individuals along the way.
Followed this with metro ride to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. Man that’s a lot of stairs! Discovered a Vernicular after we got to the top. Having admired the Basilique’s brilliant white from afar and now, four visits to Paris later, finally viewed at close quarters. Interior underwhelming but admit to being smitten by the modernity of the Sacre Familia back in Barcelona.
Wrap the day by joining the two D’s for a wine bar rest stop followed by a nosh including Steak Tartare in a cute little eatery. Couldn’t stop grinning at the thought of Mr Bean skit where Bean realises its raw meat and proceeds to hide forks full under table settings rather than admit he doesn’t like it. I do, but not an entire side of cow worth, the meals are rather large here. Finished off with a Creme Brûlée which we all concluded was absolutely splendid.
Five am rise for Mont San Michel tomorrow…gak!
