So off travelling again and we announce our first weekend mini break!

An excuse to see Kate, eat chips and chocolate and have a weekend away was too much.

We got the 6am eurostar from ashford. mel as always managed to fall asleep immediately and wake up on arrival in Brussels. She was rather disappointed as she felt that this did not qualify as going to a different country

We spent the day walking around Brussels - seeing grand place, manneken pis and admiring architecture. We visited victor horta's house, ate belgian waffles and had a lovely time. The weather is perfect for photos - perfectly clear skies - but that has made it very chilly!

In the evening we visted the octoberfest beer festival where we had dubious german meats and a giant pretzel before heading to the bok and dragon to watch the rugby world cup final. Feeling very proud of their performance we fell into bed after a 17 hour day!

On Sunday Kate took us to Mini Europe. Having forgotten the duck!!! - we had to buy some more. But did find some including glow in the dark and aduck with ponytails! So we took the ducks to visit a duck sized Europe.

In the afternoon despite the absolutely freexing temperature we visited a waterpark. Mel spent the whole time saying how it would be shut down if it was in the UK. It was great fun and therefore of course was dangerous! Stu made a swift and laid back rescue of a child in the wave machine. The lifeguards were rather sleepy and allowed photos, swinging on ropes over the pool, non swimmers on the slides and lets not forget the blood on the floor! Only in Europe!

Kate made us a lovely fondue and we relaxed watching the History Boys.

Monday we headed off to Bruges - which was beautiful. The clear blue skies made it a lovely day. We had moules frites in the markt square to warm up, visited the diamond museum and saw the smallest diamond sculptures, visited the chocolate factory and bought belgian chocs and meringues.

Today we put aside for chillout before our late night eurostar home and work tomorrow. This entailed the obligatory visit to a supermarket for cheese and alcohol, buying our souvenirs and a glass of beautiful belgian beer in Delirium - the guinness record holding pub with 2500 beers on offer! Mel had apple beer, but she wasn't entirely convinced by the claims it tasted nothing like beer!

Love from the place with weird statues,

Mel and Stu x