A few quiet beers with Tom, Nick and Jane in Brugge with a bite to eat at The Habit

It was good to catch up with friends Tom and Nick yesterday in Brugge. At the conclusion of the Procession of the Holy Blood we headed off in search of chocolate (which isn’t exactly hard in Brugge). We decided to head to The Chocolate Line (where Jane & I had purchased some excellent chocolates previously) although we managed to walk past it and a further 500 meters down the round. Oh well, no worries there were many other chocolate shops around.

After eating a couple of superb chocolates we decided a beer was needed so headed to the De Halve Maan brewery where I enjoyed a Straffe Hendrick Tripel (one of the best beers I’ve had whilst away) and the others had Bruges Zot Dubbel.

After the brewery we headed to Brugs Bertje where they have more they 300 hundred Belgian beers. This little bar had an excellent vibe and was packed; we were very lucky to get a table.

We then decided we were in need of food, so headed next door to The Habit where it was a lot quieter.

Flemish Beef Stew and fries accompanied by a Belgian beer is a superb mix. The meal was simple but very flavoursome and the meat nice and tender.

Jane had the Waterzooi that she found was okay, but after tasting the beef stew wished she had order that instead.

Brunch with Friends

Firstly - apologies for the lack of photos - although Simon suggests there may be something on my camera of use - will add later if so.

This morning we had friends up from Tauranga, with their 2 young boys. We decided we'd do a spread of bagels with a range of toppings and were really pleased with the end result!

So with the toaster happily relocated outside onto the deck and a deliciously cold bottle of OJ, we enjoyed:

Abe's parmesan, sesame, poppy seed and baby bagels with:

• buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, freshly sliced truss tomatoes
• mersey valley club cheddar - 'sharp & crumbly' (they weren't kidding!), italiano salami
• cream cheese & smoked salmon

A decidedly delicious brunch. We'll definitely be doing that one again!

Chocolate Fondue

Friends invited us around last weekend for a celebratory dessert and sticky wine and to bestow wonderful birthday treats upon me. With impeccable timing, a package had arrived at their home from France and Simon and I were fortunate enough to share the spoils!



The Fondue was as rich, thick and delicious as it appeared (and deceptively more alcoholic than it appeared!) and the fruit and marshmallows luscious and completely irresistible. Divine and highly recommended! (Oh - needless to say the fruit was locally purchased, not shipped from France!)