All walked into the centre of Bruges after breakfast to go on a canal boat tour of the city. Having only just eaten breakfast, there was still an overwhelming urge to indulge in a load of chocolate as we passed the numerous chocolatiers and waffle shops en route!
The canal boat tour was beautiful, taking in the sights of historic Bruges, helped in no small way by the glorious weather. Free time followed with the opportunity for everyone to eat as much chocolate as possible (!) or just see the sights.
We met up in the market square to walk to Choco Story, a museum giving the history of how chocolate came into being, from the ancient Mayan civilisation, through the influence of the Spanish conquistadors, to the introduction of chocolate as a designer drink for the elite in the French courts of the 18th century. Everyone loved the museum… Well, that, and the fact that there was free chocolate to eat at the end of the tour!!!
We got on the coach to Oostende and, following our evening meal, we sang at the church of Our Lady, Queen. Fr Augusting welcomed us, along with a small but extremely friendly and appreciative audience. A beautiful church with a wonderful acoustic for music.
A tired choir returned to Bruges for some well earned sleep.
A different mood today… and different weather! Steady rain accompanied our drive to Tyne Cot Cemetery – the largest Commonwealth war memorial in the world. Some 3,900+ graves marking the remains of named and unknown servicemen, as well as a memorial to over 35,000 people whose remains are unknown, made for a truly humbling experience.
A couple of the group found names in the cemetery who may be related. Some further ancestry detective work to be undertaken on their return home…. We travelled on to the town of Ypres and visited the ‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum, giving a vivid insight into the lead-up to World War 1 and the effect it had on the country of Belgium and the entire world.
A little more free time (for yet more chocolate shopping?!) and the sun eventually came out and blessed our second concert outside the impressive Cloth Hall.
A good number of people, both locals and visitors (one couple from Hull!) listened attentively and applauded energetically.
The Scarborough Singers Scavenger Hunt (!) followed our evening meal before we made our way to the Menin Gate for the moving Last Post Ceremony. A short but touching service with the buglers sounding the last post and a solitary piper playing a haunting lament among the hushed crowd.
Some bleary-eyed children packed their bags, cleared their rooms and made the final journey home.
A tiring but thoroughly enjoyable visit to the continent to showcase the vocal and instrumental talents within Scarborough College.
