Wednesday 25th September 2019

Up with the larks, across Euston Road to St Pancras station ready to get the 8.55 Eurostar to take us to Brussels. Sadly it was a bit too early in the day for the champagne bar, so I’ll just have to save that for another time 😱😂

We had to go through security and passport control so had to be there good time but it was all straight forward and we were soon in our seats ready for the off. It was a grey morning, but it didn’t dampen my enthusiasm. Not quite The Ghan maybe, but still an exciting train journey. We had decided to pay a bit extra for seats which meant we were given a decent breakfast. It was worth it. It was a continental breakfast, plenty of it, and refills of coffee. Always a good start!! 2 hours later and we were pulling into Brussels, having reached speeds of over 250kph (about 160mph). You really didn’t notice as the ride was so smooth.

Brussels was experiencing the same weather as London, grey and damp! Michael had advised us to take the tram from the station to near our hotel, and having done some homework on the transport system before we left home we knew roughly what we needed to do. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite as straightforward as that and it took us a while to find the right ticket machine. We only needed a 24 hour ticket. Having finally asked someone where this was we got the ticket, but then couldn’t work out where to go to get the tram. Ask another helpful member of staff! So helpful was she that she took us out of the station, pointed down the road and said it would only take 10 minutes to walk! Sorry Michael! By this time we had been in Brussels 45 minutes, it was lunchtime, and we didn’t quite know what to do other than bite the bullet and walk through a bit of a dodgy area, fast and purposefully, to get to the hotel which we did! We had just spent €15 on tickets that we weren’t sure we would get any use from but never mind!!

Our hotel gave us a very warm welcome. A drink and biscuit on arrival, chatty staff with lots of helpful information about the immediate area and where we were in relation to the places we wanted to visit. Our room was lovely with yet more free sweet delights!

Having deposited our bags we headed straight out to find some lunch before exploring. With just 24 hours we wanted to make the most of it. Our first stop after lunch was Manneken Pis, a well known tourist attraction. I’m not really sure what to say about this so instead I’ll insert a photo!

See what I mean?!

From there we walked to the Grand Place, and indeed it was grand. The buildings all around the square are quite ornate and striking to look at. Unfortunately they were preparing for a large outdoor event in the square making any attempt at photos difficult with large staging being erected, presumably for some kind of concert.

In typical fashion we then kept on walking, exploring back streets, looking in shops, and ultimately finding ourselves at the cathedral which we went into. It was old, of course, but the organ was modern, installed in around 2000, and the alter too was modern, unlike the pulpit which at least seemed old and was very dark and brooding! Not inviting to look at at all.

When we came out the weather had deteriorated and it was raining so we found our way to a bar called Mort Subite, recommended by Michael from when he lived in Brussels, and which was very near. It has been in this location for 90 years and operating for over 100, by the same family. The decor hasn’t been changed, and although you could argue that a coat of paint would be good, it had a friendly feel to it, it served alcohol, snacks, soft drinks, plus tea and coffee, and attracted all ages and sorts. It was a good place to while away some time whilst it rained, enjoy a small beer, followed by coffee for me!, and people watch. There is something very pleasant about feeling comfortable sitting in a bar without any pressure to order more or leave.

Eventually we moved, despite it still drizzling and wound our way through lots of cobbled streets and past what seemed like hundreds of chocolate shops (it’s probably a good job this is the start of the holiday and not the end as I may have been tempted to buy!), ending up in the Sablon district which is where we had been recommended to find somewhere to eat. It is where local people go, so a bit off the tourist trail, and the restaurant we ended up in was indeed full of local people, apart from us of course! We had a good meal, but Geoff could resist the chocolate no longer.

Ok, so I helped a bit!! Then back to the hotel to catch up on politics at home 🙄