Brussels

Whilst we were on holiday we had our first look round Brussels since April 2006. The weather was dull, but at least it stayed dry, allowing me to take a few photos and a few minutes of video (the rain had seriously hampered making video and I hoped that my holiday video would consist of more than just the flight out and back!)

We caught the train from Oostende to Brussels Centraal, we had bought a Rail pass for 71 Euros, which was good value, allowing 10 single journeys in Belgium, valid for one year.

The Cathedral in Brussels.

We were in Brussels on 3rd September, and the local mascot, Manneken Pis, was dressed in a Welsh Guards uniform to honour the liberation of the city in 1944.

The Manneken Pis and the sign near the Manneken.

Fans of the 1970s BBC (and Belgian) Tv series "Secret Army" will remember how Brussels was used as a location in the series. The main focus was a restaurant called "Le Candide", which was used as the headquarters of an evasion line helping Allied airmen return to Britain. The restaurant was on the Grand Place, and is now called "Maxim's".

What every "Secret Army" fan should see - Maxim's aka "Le Candide".

Brussels also has one of the oldest shopping arcades in Europe.

Galeries Royales St Hubert - shopping arcade and "Secret Army" location.

The Union Flag flies in Brussels above a decorated ornate lamp post.

We ate in Chez Leon on Rue des Bouchers - very good pork chops with chips. Horse was also on the menu but we will try that another day.