Our European Adventure: In Bruges

Oudenburg to Bruges

18.5km
2 locks
12 lift/swing bridges
4.5 hours

After checking the engine and the rest of the paraphernalia, we were good to go. It was 10am and the second wave of wacky racers were due to pass us at Oudenburg at around noon. Knowing this, we gave ourselves a two hour stress free start on the next leg of our journey to Bruges.

For most of the journey we were relaxed taking in the scenery whilst ambling along at our own familiar pace. We passed under some amazing bridges, one bridge tipped the whole road sideways, no need to sweep it (see short video). In fact, it was only when we reached Bruges that the stress levels gave us a kicking once more.

After cruising around almost the whole circumference of Bruges looking for somewhere to moor, we entered a lock where several other boats and a very large working ship flying the French flag were waiting. There was no room left to tie other than the large ship. I threw my centre rope to a cheerful chap on board who then lashed us to the ship, but without taking up the slack and for the want of speaking French, I was unable to ask him to throw me the rope back. This left about twenty foot of slack that I had no way from my position to recover.

Within moments, the water came flooding in at a torrent. Genie’s Wish writhed about like an angry dog on a piece of string, straining to what seemed almost breaking point. We were at full tilt and all I could think was: if this rope snaps, 16 ton of steel (not including my lunch box) with the force of these raging waters, would crush the plastic boats tied yonder.

The waters receded and the angry dog was tamed although it had bitten a couple of chunks of paint off the ship, I mimed to the captain, Marcel Marceu style, ‘pass me a paint brush and I will touch you up’, but he just gave me the Gallic shrug.

So once again, we began our quest for somewhere to moor. ‘No Mooring’ signs were the order of the day from entering the canal that encircles Bruges. It was by fluke that we noticed a small boat entering a hidden side arm as there was no signage for visitor moorings both on our map or on the canal itself (we have provided some instructions at the end for those of you planning this trip).

A long footbridge had been raised at that very moment acting like a barrier once inside. When the bridge was lowered you would presume it was a private marina and we would have chugged on to Ghent hungry and disheartened.

So in we went, stern first, and for 16 euros a night we could breathe again.

Location of our mooring in Bruges

Myself and Oddjob (our small dog) a cross between a corgi and a Jack Russell (a Crussell) went out for an evening stroll. It wasn’t long before I found myself disoriented, and so looking down at Oddjob and relying on his inbuilt homing instincts, I said “OK my mate, take us home”. He strained the lead and set off with a sense of purpose, leading me down alleyways through ginnels and across bridges to finally end up at the open door of the only kebab house in Bruges. He had followed his twitching nose and not his doggy instinct, but not wanting to waste an opportunity we shared a donner between us. Belly full, he was then happy to show me the way home, greedy little sod.

Martin and Oddjob

Instructions for finding the visitor moorings in Bruges:

On going through the Krulspoortbrug lift bridge you enter a huge lock. Whilst the lock is rising, radio ahead (VHF 18) to the Havenmaster (Albert – really friendly and helpful) at Coupurebrug to let him know you want a mooring.

Follow the canal for a short distance and you will see Gentpoorbruge lift bridge. Just before this is the side arm with the visitor moorings on the right. The Havenmaster will have lifted the footbridge for you to enter and be waiting to direct you to your moorings.