Scandinavia Cruise July 2012 - Brugges

I am so far behind with our cruise photos so need to start getting up to date. In July 2012 we went to the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Our first stop on the way there was Brugges in Belgium.

The Cyclists is one of a group of four statues and fountains near the Concert Hall at t'Zand in Brugges.

The Bathing Ladies is another group.

Brugges is a lovely old medieval town with canals running through it and is often known as the Venice of the North.

St Bonfacius Bridge.

The Beguinage where unmarried and widowed women went for a life of religious devotion without the vows of the nuns.

The Grote Markt (Market Square).

Brugges is also known for it's horse draw carriages and there are strict rules for the horses to be fed and watered regularly.

This drinking trough is in the Square where most of the rides start from.
They also have statues of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

It is not very clear so here is a close up of one of them.

Some flowers before we leave Brugges and head for Copenhagen.

Edinburgh Scotland.

We arrived in South Queensferry which is the tender port for Edinburgh. When we took our tender ashore we saw that a previous one had got stuck on a mud bank and another one was trying to pull it free. They were there for over an hour so I am very glad we hadn't gone ashore a few minutes earlier.

We decided we would go to Edinburgh castle as the last time we were there we took the HOHO bus and didn't have time to go in.

Two Scots Guards on duty.

Once you get inside the castle gates it is not at all as I expected a castle to look like. It looks more like a town with roads and houses.

The One o' clock gun which gets fired daily.

There was a lovely view out across Edinburgh from the castle.

The Forth Rail Bridge which was opened in 1890. Our ship is just visible behind it.
I hope you have enjoyed our British Isles cruise, and if so, come back soon to see the pictures from Scandinavia.

Cappuccino.

Home only 2 days and I am missing my cappuccinos! Thank you to Lievieu (sp?) for all the lovely patterns you made for me.

Sunset and contrails.

Orkney Islands part 2.

Well I have eventually got around to posting more photos from our cruise around the British Isles.
After we left the Standing Stones of Stenness we went to the ancient village of Skara Brae.

The houses were built sunken into the ground.

It felt strange to be walking where people were known to have lived thousands of years ago.

This is one of the passageways into the houses that has been reconstructed using the original stonework.

Skara Brae is right on the coast with beautiful views.

Although the sky was blue it was very cold and windy and I would think, very bleak in the winter.

Leaving there and heading for Broch of Gurness we passed some workers digging peat.

The Broch is the central building and the dwellings were built around it and it dates from 100BC.

Leaving the Broch of Gurness we headed back to Kirkwall.

St. Magnus Cathedral Kirkwall.

As we returned to our ship, the pipers were there to see us go.
Next stop will be #
Edinburgh Scotland.