musical accompaniment...

The path of the "Straight through Bruges" race literally runs straight through the city but, contrary to previous years, the stretch along the Langerei was was not included in the path this year, and the runners had to proceed along a different stretch. But this had the runners huff and puff along two real "legkillers", the Potterierei (Pottery street) and the Spinolarei (Spinola street).  

And now, the "Straight through Bruges" race isover and done with. Here is a first impression of the event. Young and old, from 8 to 80, everybody ran. The weather, this morning, was foggy, then came rain and, suddenly, right before the start of the race, the skies cleared. In the end, it became warm and, of course, that did not make it any easier on the runners.
Notice the second runner in this photo. It just so happens that I know him : Mohammed Guenar. He seems to be holding a pair of replacement shoes.
And yes, I managed to get my second bicycle ready on time which gave me a chance to follow the runners and snap pictures all along the path of the race.

Over the last twenty years, Bruges has worked itself into a top position in the domain of culinary pleasures. There are a great number of restaurants well worth calling for a reservation. De Karmeliet (The Carmelite) is generally considered as being the best. But, there are quite a few more such classy restaurants in Bruges, where the eyes as well as the palate are being pampered. One of those is "Den Gouden Harynck" (The Golden Herring) in Groeninge.

The Golden Herring.

Dubbel speciaal, dit huisnummer.  Eerst en vooral betreft het een dubbel nummer.  Het komt er op neer dat van twee huisjes er één comfortabel huis gemaakt werd.  Maar dat is niet het meest opmerkelijke.  Het meest opmerkelijke is dat men aan de hand van dit huisnummer kan weten in welk deel van de stad dit pand zich bevind.  Meer nog: deze manier van indelen van huizen betreft een systeem dat teruggaat tot de dertiende eeuw, en in de veertiende eeuw zijn benaming meekreeg: 'zestendelen'.  De stad werd ingedeeld in zes delen en elke wijk kreeg een letter mee.  Dit huis heeft de letter C, dus hier staan we in de wijk van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw.  Via die manier van klasseren van huizen kan, in vergelijking met andere steden, veel gemakkelijker huizenonderzoek gebeuren: wie doorheen de eeuwen woonde of eigenaar was van een welbepaald huis dat nu nog bestaat.

This house-number is doubly special. For a start, there is a double number. This simply means that two small houses were converted into a single, comfortable abode. But that is not what's really remarkable. The notable fact here is that by way of such a number, the administration of Bruges can readily pinpoint on which parcel of land within the city these houses were built. This numbering system goes back to the thirteenth century, and eventually got its name "zestendelen" in the fourteenth century. At that time, the city was divided into six distinct parishes, and each parish was identified by a letter. This house has the  letter C and thus, we know we are in the Notre-Dame parish. Moreover, this method of identifying houses enables the city very easily, when compared to other cities' systems, to find the houses who are due for an inspection, and as well to trace back all their previous owners throughout the centuries...

A follow-up to the picture of yesterday, showing the Pharaoh of Egypt. At the back of this allegoric waggon are the figures of Josef welcoming his brothers and extending them help.

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A classic to end the evening. An amazing display of roofs, from " 't Putje" on the Zand to the houses behinf the Sint-Alvator's cathedral.

This fanfare, the "Harmony Play after Work" from Koolkerke, a municipality in the suburbs of Bruges, regaled the inner city with its music. One has to admire the inspired names such associations choose to call themselves. "Play after Work" : the question is, what do they consider to be play and what do they consider to be work?

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Tomorrow is THE day for all joggers and runners from Bruges and from afar. Once, every year, they can run, unhindered, straight through the city. Entertainment is provided along the way of the race in order to make it as pleasant as possible for the runners... and the spectators.
 

19 more days !!!
In he meantime, here is the scene depicting the story of Josef and Pharaoh of Egypt. Josef landed here, sold by his brothers. The Pharaoh, having heard of Josef's visions, hired him as counsellor and eventually, Josef became the second most important man in Egypt. Here we see Josef's brothers coming back, driven by hunger. Josef recognizes them and gives them help.

This old gypsy-waggon belongs to Madame Manda, professional fortune-teller. Mister Manda is leaning against her advertisement board, covered press-cuttings.

Mmm, .... delicious fritters..