And the chocolate is to die for

I said I would be back if and when I got the chance, and here I am. Sitting in the lobby of our quaint little hotel here in Brussels, Belgium. It is a nasty, rainy day but that didn't stop us from going out, wandering around, paying another visit to 'Grand Place' (part of which is pictured here, those are the 16th Century guildhouses), which Victor Hugo described as the most beautiful public square in the world. Certainly the most beautiful I've ever seen, and Vic obviously felt the same way.

So, anyway, knowing we had friends we wanted to meet in Belgium, this is what we decided. It was a fabulous decision. Took us just five hours by train from Grenoble to get here, and such a contrast. I don't know what I expected in Brussels. I had few preconceptions other than Brussels Sprouts and waffles. It is a vibrant and exciting city with enough eateries on any given block to last a couple of weeks; enough haute couture shops to rival Milan and Paris, with prices to match, and chocolate that is truly to die for. Very cosmopolitan, a lot of Congolese people, a lot of Asians, and a lot of people who speak English moderately well, so it is very user friendly.

Anyway, friends, to keep you abreast of the travels, tomorrow morning it is the Chunnel from Brussels to London, and then to the Norfolk coastal town of Great Yarmouth, where I lived and worked 25 years ago. My first time back there since then. Should be interesting.

Did I tell you that Belgian chocolate was to die for? Yes, I did. But it's worth telling you again. Wish I could bring you all back some.