Chocolate Heaven

Day 3 of Floating School and after an early morning Literacy lesson we announced a school trip into Bruges. The boys were thrilled. We walked along the canal past an unusual circular lock and massive barges which made Lobelia look like a toy.
Along the canal were several windmills, one of which was open to the public. Steep stairs led to a timber loft perched on stilts. The sails were turning and the whole thing creaked like an elderly windworn sailing yacht. The views over the city were beautiful. It was as if time had stood still and we were part of the old city.

Chocolate called from afar and we found ourselves in one of the many temples dedicated to its worship. Purchases were made, chocolate tasted and then we hit the tourist trail and took a trip on the canal, weaving our way through the medieval buildings and their distinctive step-gable roofs.
Followed this with a speedy charge up the 366 stairs of the Belfry. Callum led - so we had to keep up with him for fear of what he might do at the top. He set a heady pace which others, who followed us, seemed duty bound to copy. The boys bounded around at the top whilst all adults rested and regained healthy breathing patterns.
Bruges is bestowed with a wealth of culture and incredible museums and churches. Callum voted to visit the Frites (yes-chips)Museum. We vetoed him. After a fair family debate we settled on the Chocolate Museum. It was a good choice with plenty to interest all of us and a praline making demonstration which ended in a delicious tasting. Andy and I were pleased to find out that dark chocolate, like red wine, is capable of reducing cholesterol and thrilled to discover that the museum shop sells cocoa laced red wine.
FACT : don't come between a woman and her chocolate. In the 1500s Spanish women who had settled in Mexico loved chocolate so much that they could not stop drinking it. Their servants would even pour it for them during religious ceremonies. The constant coming and going of the servants annoyed the Bishop, so he decided to ban it from Mass. As a result people stayed away from church and finally the Bishop was murdered. Poison had been added to his cup of cocoa!
Our visit to the Museum did nothing to satisfy the boys' chocolate cravings so we visited a cafe on the main square and treated them to chocolate pancakes and us to Belgian beer.

Returned to Lobelia in the evening. Shattered but very happy.