Had a great meeting and lunch with our friends yesterday.

This morning we headed off to St Pancras Station to catch the Eurorail to Brussels. A quick 2 hour trip and we were there. A taxi ride to the hotel, check in and out onto the town. Our hotel is a small boutique hotel right beside the Les Galeries Royales Saint Hubert - a very old shopping mall.

We quickly checked in then we off for a wander through the Galeries then out to to the central square of Brussels - The Grand-Place. A marvelous square which is unfortunately having a stage etc erected in the middle of it so the square is somewhat cluttered with equipment and some of our views impeded. Some of the buildings are also going through a restoration.
We then wandered around some of the side streets listening to buskers and looking at all the chocolate, waffle and beer shops. There also seems to be a large number of toy shops including of course those selling Tintin stuff. We also found the Manneken Pis of course. Then it was time for something to eat and back to the Grand-Place for some night shots as it was not raining and rain is expected over the next couple of days.

Anne found some ear plugs in one of the draws in the hotel room and now we know why. We can hear every word (not English) in the next room and the shower going (there is a locked adjoining door between the rooms which does not help). Women's heals making a noise in the wooden floors also. Oh well - its only for a few nights. No comments about the noise on Trip Advisor so maybe we are just sensitive little things!