Day 1 - Heathrow -> Brugge

DH dropped Travelling buddy and I at the Bus Station, where we caught the Heathrow Shuttle. I booked the coach on the internet the day before. The coach was an hour late arriving at Terminal 4 although it didnt matter, because I had thankfully booked a bus earlier than needed just incase.

We had checked in for our flight online the night before, so literally dumped our luggage at the drop off and then went through security.

An uneventful flight and landing where we were picked up in Brussels by a driver, which was included in the package surgery deal.

Taxi took just over an hour to take us to Brugge, where we stayed at the Best Western Acacia. This Hotel was described as being 4 star, and the other hotel we could have used, the campanile, was described as 3 star. In reality, the Campanile was way out of town, and also 2 star. The Acacia was not what I thought it was going to be. Very nice lounges, bar, breakfast room and lobby with lovely reception... but the room you are actually sleeping in, and eventually eating, recuperating and relaxing in, is not what I would class as 4 star. Ok it was clean, they came and cleaned up every day and made the beds, but the beds were a bit lumpy and also TINY considering the people in them were there for weight loss surgery as well made it even more obvious! They were low to the floor and that made it difficult to get in and out of after the surgery too. There was a big wardrobe in the room which contained a kitchen... hot plate and kettle, sink and fridge which i thought was great. But the net curtains were grey with filth and the whole room needed a bit of a re paint. It just was not a 4 star hotel at the end of the day, but it was comfortable. Unfortunately you could only stay at the Acacia, or at the Campanile as the private nurse had to visit us after we were back at our hotel, so we had no choice.

So, installed in our hotel, we unpacked and then went out for a slap up meal and look around Brugge at night. The Christmas decs were still all up, and when we asked why, they said there was a film being made there. Indeed there was and it is called In Brugge starring Colin Farrel. I am guessing it will be out next November/December due to the Christmas theme. Watched a bit of the filming on our last night there which made for an interesting tale to tell when we got back.