Managed to get kids up and dressed early enough that there was time for piano practice and TV before school. Managed to magic away a pair of Lydia's gloves somewhere in the house in between getting them out get bag to give them to her and actually giving them to her.
After the school run, back at my desk for a morning's work, including recruitment paperwork, social media content and lots more. Did some extra time to account for what I missed this week with various kids things and you make sure I'd stayed everything up pre holiday. Then a blood test and the school run. Only picking up Phoebe as Lydia doing gym and going to Rosa's for tea.
Phoebe to ballet, lovely chat with her in the car about her day and what she could see out the windows. Very excited with her chocolate biscuit for snack. Home for dinner time and getting Phoebe ready for bed.
Lydia arrived home just as I was leaving to go to dinner with Jo and Claire in Stockbridge. Gave the girls extra hugs as might not see them in morning before setting off for my trip.
Lovely dinner at the Three Cups in Stockbridge, such a cosy pub, even if parking is a bit of a nightmare there. And lovely to catch up with Jo and Claire.
Home about 1030 for an early night.
Thurs 27 November
Up at the crack of dawn to get dressed for my trip. Took breakfast up to the kids and woke them at 645am so I could say goodbye. Lydia in particular very grumpy about me going but placated by the promise of a chocolate heart.
After a quick breakfast, off to Bitterne station for my first train of the day. Made it to Southampton Central without issues, 30 mins delay due to signal issues at Sway on my train to London Waterloo. They adjusted the timetable so it only stopped at Basingstoke and Waterloo which worked on my favour as half the passenger who wanted the other stations normally served by this train like Winchester had to get off. So I actually got a seat.
A colleague of mine joined the train at Basingstoke on his way to a meeting at our London office so had a good chat catching up on our way there.
No issues on the tube to St Pancras either. Enjoyed the people watching. Apparently to be on trend like a Londoner I need a long wooden overcoat, some chunky metal earrings and an oversized shoulder bag.
Located Jess at StPs and we went to pick up some lunch from M&S to eat on the Eurostar and had a cuppa whilst we waited for our check in time. Lovely music box Christmas trees installation to fundraise for Great Ormond Street hospital.
Our check in opened at 11:30 for our 1pm train. Queues for check-in, but they kept moving pretty steadily, and no issues with the passport and security checks. Thought the new entry requirements for the EU might have been enforced by now, but didn't seem to be yet so no finger prints or questions about my intentions, just a passport scan and a photo at the electronic gates.
Bit of a wait once through security but Jess and I having a whale of a time chatting. Got on to the train easily enough when boarding started as we only had rucksacks and settled in. So busy chatting that barely noticed when we got to the Eurotunnel! Arrived on time in Brussels for about 4pm local time.
Off the train in to the rush hour crowds, Brussels station seemingly very shiny and clean compared to UK ones. The ticket app didn't like our UK cards so went to locate a ticket machine. Then up to platform 9 for our train to Bruges. Very busy train, people sitting on the stairs up to the upper deck and in the foot wells of the doors. But cleared out after the first stop so we managed to get a seat then. Oddly only seemed to announce the next station immediately after the previous stop, not as we arrived at stations so had to keep an eye out.
Arrived at Bruges about 5pm into the cold and dark. Happily had accidentally booked our trip to coincide with the Christmas markets. Big installation of trees outside the station and light trail on as well. Very impressed with the quality of the Christmas lights throughout so far, all very tasteful and high end.
Walked for about 20 mins from station through centre of Bruges, stopping to admire the chocolate shops and the Christmas decoration shops en route to the hotel.
Staying at the Dukes Arches hotel, an excellent find of Jess' . Beautiful building and interiors and a comfy room. Had a cuppa in our room before heading out for dinner and an explore. Booked a table for 8pm at the Diligence bar as they were busy when we passed and headed in to look at the main market and the shops that were still open. It's all like something out a fairy tale.
Back to the bar for dinner, both had Vlaamse stew and fries and I tried a beer I'd not heard of. Really cosy setting, could have stayed all night. Probably a tourist trap but it was lovely. Came back to the hotel to enjoy their beautiful bar, Jess had a hot chocolate and I had a cherry lambic beer as a night cap. Just in bed now typing this.
Planning on doing the self guided walking tour of the sites tomorrow and hitting the light trail in the early evening.
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