Just returned from the annual Art class jolly, this time in Brussels. (Last year was Berlin—we are working our way through capitals that start with ‘B’).
As before we were the oldest guests in the youth hostel, which was surprisingly comfortable and quiet despite being pretty full the whole week. From there it was a 15 minute walk to the city centre. Highlights of the week were the Musical Instruments Museum which had more bagpipes than you could wave a pair of ear-defenders at, and some of the strangest instruments I’ve ever seen; the Folon Foundation housed in the farm at the Chateau La Hulpe, with scores of the whimsical works of Jean-Michel Folon, sculptor and watercolorist; and the aptly named Delirium Café that serves over three thousand types of beer. I became oddly attracted to the various types of fruit beer you can find in Belgium, including the Kriek, made with cherries. Thank you, Roy, for introducing me to that!
One evening we stepped off the beaten track and discovered the African quarter near Porte de Namur and a great Congolese Bistro where some of the braver (and non-vegetarian) members of the group sampled the house special – porcupine!
On the way home, a stop at the Matisse museum in Le Cateau-Cambrésis which was well worth the detour, having the third largest collection of Matisse’s work in France, a large collection of Auguste Herbin’s work and others, including a couple of Giacommettis. A great week in a great city and worth another visit.
joursdemots 
I love your six words, but the picture tops everything for this chocoholic! Good to see you back.
Ah yes, it’s been a while. Other things (like earning a living) have been a distraction. Good to see you here Viv, sorry to hear you’ve not been on top form.
Wow, they can make just about anything out of chocolate!
It seems they also make chocolates out of almost anything…
I drove into town a week and a half ago to look at the new stop sign. Sounds like your adventures trump mine. Thanks for bringing me along.
I really have nothing against stop signs. They, too have their place (usually at junctions). Happy to share my adventures with you, Ron.
Well, isn’t that an interesting picture! Sounds like you had fun anyway! Stopping by from 6WS.
That, M’am, is a representation of the Manneken Pis, the symbol of Brussels. Only this one is edible, unlike the original.
Ah! This is all the inspiration I needed to pack my bags and head to Europe.
Do! I can recommend Brussels, Venice, Rome, Florence, Prague, Berlin, London (of course), St Petersburg…
Sounds like a wonderful time! That picture is making me hungry. 😉
::drool:: mmmmm…..chocolate 🙂
You must have had a wonderful time there 🙂
I recently boiled some brats in berry beer before grilling them. That fruity flavor was so good. I bet you enjoyed the cherry beer.
Ah Brats! It took me a while to realise you meant Bratwurst and not naughty children, which is what we use the word for in the UK. Had me worried for a while.
LOL! 😀
BTW, in the US, we call naughty children and bratwurst the same, with different pronunciation. Naughty children are “brats” like “cats,” and bratwurst are “brats” like “cots.”
I googled it, and found this conversation: http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1872584