The cruise from Gent to Brugge is a straightforward one, with well-signposted junctions and little commercial traffic. We started seeing hire cruisers on the canals, based in Nieuwpoort and using Wroxham-built Connoisseur cruisers - it was almost like being back on the Norfolk Broads. The arrival of a paddle steamer trip boat completed the illusion.

With the lock at Keersluis standing open, the first delay was at Moerbrugge lift bridge where, despite one commercial and three leisure boats waiting, there was an inexplicable 20 minute wait before the bridge could be opened. There are several lift and swing bridges around the Brugge ring canal which are restricted in opening times due to the busy roads they carry. As we were now in a convoy of four boats they were willing to open for us and we passed through without too many delays. The main Flandria yacht haven is situated to the south of the city, adjacent to the train station but 20 minutes walk from the centre. Instead we opted for the central moorings at the Coupure basin which now have water and electricity provided.

There is an old waterway flowing through the centre of the town which is in the process of being reopened to small craft, as well as the Dijver river, which together help earn Brugge its nickname, Venice of the North. 15th century buildings surround the Burg and Markt squares, reminders of the golden age of Brugge as an international commercial centre.

A cycle path follows much of the route of the city's ramparts, with many of the original features still intact. As well as the city gates, these include four of the original windmills which lined the route, including the St Janshuis Mill dating from 1770 and still in use grinding flour.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 25 nm

Total to date: 1965 nm

Avg Speed: 6 knots

Duration: 4:15 hours

Diesel: 30 litres (est)

Mooring: €10/night

Electricity: €2,50/night

Locks

Keersluis

Bridges

Moerbrugge

Steenbrugge

Katelynepoort

Gentpoort

Min headroom: 3.95m

Min draught: 2.2m

Charts

Navicarte 23

Geocart 1, 4