Brussels take two

Most importantly I arrived home with my passport, handbag, and all the belongings that I took with me. So the city isn’t tainted after all.

Had a lovely weekend with my excellent local guide, Mattias. Had a few drinks on Fri night in the Saint Gery area. Spent Saturday afternoon in Ghent which is just North of Brussels. It’s quite a pretty town, less chocolate and lace than Bruges which is nice. Saw the (apparently very famous) Van Eyck painting, Adoration of the Lamb, in St Bavo’s Cathedral (very impressive ceiling). The detail in this Belgian masterpiece is extraordinary. Expect religious folk would appreciate it even more – David you ought to visit some time.

Spent Sunday wandering around the city – it was alive and buzzing with a car-free day on the streets. Loads of people and bikes about. Stopped for a few drinks and late lunch on the way around. Apart from Sablon & Saint Catherine, I can’t remember the names of the areas I’m afraid. Off the regular tourist route though so all good. Really quite like Brussels. It’s good for pedestrians, has plenty of eating & drinking establishments lining the many squares which are great for people watching, and generally a good vibe.

Highlights included walking on the grass in the park opposite the King’s Palace. It’d been a while.