Of Winds and Whispers.

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Fairly quick turn around of ships.

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Time to go-

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And so endeth our transit of the Kiel canal.I really enjoyed the day.So different to the Panama canal.Although not as difficult terrain this was done in a developed country so even 100 years ago they had to deal with the problems of disrupted roads and railways.A recommended transit. We were now in the Elbe river which starts off in the Czech republic.

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We now head out into the North Sea.

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Our injured friend returned tonight for trivia and the putting contest-She won at putting getting 2 holes in one.

The next morning we awoke in the North sea canal heading to Amsterdam.I really find wind turbines visual pollution.

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A lot of flowers grown in the surrounding areas.And more ferries.

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Schipol is also close by.A lot of fog but every now and then a plane appeared.But nature still wins when it comes to the beauty of flight-

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We were getting very close to Amsterdam-

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We berthed right behind the Koningsdam.

We stayed onboard in Amsterdam and entertained family for the day.A neice and her family will be living in Rotterdam for the next 4 years.We learnt something about Australia's sporting prowess from them.They have 2 teenage sons who both have played representative hockey.both have joined the Rotterdam club.The 16 year old is in their under 18 first team and the 13 year old the goalie in the under 18 3rd team.The 13 year old has already had a one on one coaching session with Holland's Olympic goalie coach.No wonder they beat us.

An enjoyable dinner with an aussie couple with osso buco as the main course.

Next Zeebrugge and Bruges.

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We awoke in time for sunrise.The little dot in the distance becomes part of the story-

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This is that dot.As we came near it turned and followed us into Zeebrugge.I do wonder why.

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The early bird catches the scraps-

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And our tail comes into the harbour with us-

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We took the walking tour of Bruges from Silverseas.on this occasion it was not much more than getting the port shuttle into Bruges and doing things yourself.We also ended up having a very good guide on the walking tour.

The country on the drive from the port to Bruges was flat but obviously productive-

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Even before our tour there were some lovely buildings.Autumn colour was starting to appear.

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Part of the old city walls which have become a bike path-

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Absolutely stunning shots!

 

 

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[drron29]

Thanks for all the comments.

Normally I have thousands of shots of the sunset but on this cruise 2 beautiful sunrises-going into St.Petersburg the second time and this entrance to Zeebruge.I must try and get up earlier but on with the show.

Now we start our walk from the bus parking area into the city-

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Then we came to the square where we would all meet after our free time a little later-

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Old buildings plus new renos,a few cafes and a brewery around the square-

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Bruges certainly is a beautiful place and not just the buildings-

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Always someone that wants to stand out from the crowd-

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That is what is left of a city Gate.

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We reach the main square-

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