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Lovely afternoon on Tuesday. The highlight was a 320-step climb up that 13th Century Brugge belfry. Here's what the tower looks like by day:
We adults were quite winded. Our 6- and 9-year olds were pretty much unaffected by gravity. They practically floated to the top. On the way down, I tried to convince my youngest that we were actually heading up to the top now and nearly there, nearly there. He seemed to almost buy it. Or at least, to buy that I bought it. Below a certain weight, gravity appears to be substantially a state of mind.
The square looked lovely from about halfway up:
The only thing marring the view was the presence of my nemesis, the Portsmouth City Youth Band Brass Ensemble. If you look closely, you'll spot them in the bandstand. Why do they think it's so funny to follow me around the world, performing "Theme from Goldfinger" wherever I go?
Portsmouth City Youth Band Brass Ensemble: Total. Jerks.
In other news, all the legends are true. The people of Brugge really are paved with gold:
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And exactly what sort of kinky business is going on between the gold-plated pirate and his captive wench? Really, I thought this was a family site.
the tower view really looks exactly like my recollection of the same in siena. the square looks the same. and, you were with me in siena. did you mix up the pics? i was drunk in siena and wasn't wearing pants, so perhaps my memory is flawed.
were you wearing pants in brugge?
yes! and no. Yes I was wearing pants in Brugge (pantaloons actually). And no, not the same picture. But a similar town, in that (1) they're both frozen moments. Pompeis. And (2) great food. Great!
-Cecil