My first posting this year was back to Belgium to magnetise the second section of the 'Greenlink' cable that when complete, will connect Southwest Wales and Ireland.

Rather than get stuck at Dover, my fellow Magneteer and I elected to take the night boat from Harwich to the Hook. The Belgium Times reported that day, the start of new protests that would affect the ports of Ghent, Zeebrugge (where we were headed) and Antwerp. Fortunately, the Politie had everything under control and hold-ups were minimal.

As it turned out, the UHL Flash was going to be a few days' late (bad weather in the Bay of Biscay) so there was ample time to set up shop in the Tallyman's hut, which we found in the back of a warehouse and got a forklift driver to position for us on the dockside.

With time on our hands, we took the bus to Bruges and the Groeningemuseum. On entry we were greeted by 'Philip the Good', painted by Rogier van der Weyden, c1450. Philip (son of Duke John the Fearless) was a generous patron; Burgundian art, music, and literature, flourished during his career. He was also responsible for acquiring Alsace, Holland, Hainaut, Friesland, and Brabant for the King of France, so in His Majesty's good books at least.

'Moreel Triptych'. Hans Memling, 1484. Commissioned by Bruges politician and banker, Willem Moreel, it depicts Willem and his wife, along with their five sons and eleven daughters, venerating the saints. Maybe Willem had the inside track and heard rumoured that St Peter had a side hustle on group rates?

Last Judgement'. Jan Provoost, c1525. One of Provoost's most famous works, 'The Crucifixion', was also hung close by. Superbly executed (so to speak) and extraordinarily detailed, but only one of the seemingly endless depictions in the gallery of that sombre stage.

'Last Judgement'. Hieronymus Bosch, c1500. Apparently, the attribution of the work is dubious, it being judged of a lesser quality than might be expected from Bosch's studio. Christ adjudicates, flanked by apostles with angels playing the Trumpets of the Last Judgement. The various punishments for sinners are depicted on the central and right-hand panels. On the left, blessed souls are shipped to heaven on a boat with a pink tent, on the way passing a tower that nods to The Fountain of Eternal Youth. Overall, it's a bit more fun than Provoost's work.

'Sermon of St John the Baptist'. Pieter Breugel II, c1620. Eldest son of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Pieter II's workshop produced at least 25 copies of his father's c1566 painting, 'The Sermon of St John the Baptist', now housed in the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest.

There was a lot more of interest in the museum, but I'm saving those delights for the next entry. After the museum, we wandered around the town admiring the colourful architecture before stopping for an excellent lunch in a restaurant just off Markt (market square).

Though largely inattentive to my devotions, a visit to the Basilica of the Holy Blood was not to be missed. Fabulously decorated both inside and out, the basilica is the repository of a phial said to contain a cloth used by Joseph of Arimathea to clean the body of Christ, and so bloodied by its use. Not having any change for the customary bung, and no chance of a sneak peek (the Byzantine crystal phial is under the watchful eye of a fierce looking Sister) we ducked out of the queue and back into Burg Square...

... where the season was getting into its stride.