Ruth and I went for a long weekend in Brussels at the end of March to break up the long stretch of hard work between Christmas and Easter. We stayed in a beautiful (5*) hotel near the European Parliament, and relaxed in the spa before dinner each evening!
These are our snaps from the weekend:
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Ruth discovers that the TV in the hotel room does e-mail.
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Ruth in the Hotel bar - our "Regular" for a pre-diner drink.
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We ended up eating in a Chinese on the first night, then took a walk down to the Grand Place - spectacular by night as my Mother promised!
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Ruth in front of the Maison du Roi on the Grand Place.
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The spire of the Hotel de Ville
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After admiring the view, we retiured to Cafe BXL so sample the "Dame Blanche", a local speciality...
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... consisting of vanilla ice-cream with a (bitter) chocolate sauce.
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The following morning we set off to catch an open-topped tour bus, passing this bizarre little building in front of the EU complex.
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Our first bus stop was the Arc de Truimph, where we went on a whistle stop tour of the attached millitary museum.
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Panorama time! The impressive complex of buildings flanking the arch houses a variety of museums.
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Our next stop on the tour was at the "Parc des Expositions", home of the "Atomium".
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Ruth on the tourbus as we leave - just before a heavy shower starts!
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That evening we dined in 't Kelderke on the Grand Place -very, very good food...
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...and a special house beer!
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This statue of a small boy (urinating) is called the "Mannekin Pis". It is often dressed up, and for our visit it wore a white t-shirt bearing the legend "Not in My Name" and a multicoloured "Peace" flag flew nearby.
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The Maison du Roi on the Grand Place
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Guildhouses on the Grand Place
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The Hotel de Ville, also on the Grand Place - spot the theme?
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A visit to the little brewing museum in the guildhouse - the only guildhouse on the Grand Place still to be owned by its guild!
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Europes oldest covered shopping mall!
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The Cathedral...
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...up close...
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...and with a person! (nice picture Ruth)
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Stained glass...
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...a beautiful knave...
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...and a really elegant modern organ.
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In the park on the way back to the Hotel.
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Ruth see's the funny side.
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Avenue in the park
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The Grand Place by night again, the Hotel de Ville...
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...and the Maison du Roi...
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...and some guild houses.
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Last but by no means least, a panorama of all but the West side of the square.
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Ruth samples a belgian waffle for dessert at another bar on the Grand Place.
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Ruth outside the EU complex with a goody bag of EU leaflets - which we've not read!
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Eurostar (in the channel tunnel) taking us home after a wonderful weekend!
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