The great comedian Tony Nuno told me the following joke. “I said to my doctor; I’m tired, I have no energy, I don’t want to do anything”. So he runs a battery of tests. Two weeks later he gives me the results. Doctor says “You’re lazy”.

The reason I start with that is I keep meaning to write about our trip to Brussels. But I haven’t. Until now. So for the next little while, Jo will have to watch CSI without me as I let you know about our trip to Belgium.

Brussels is the home of the European Union government. This means a few things. There has been a lot of money spent in Brussels over the last few years on the infrastructure. The exterior of all of the buildings are clean and there has been quite a bit of new construction. There is a large population of European Union bureaucrats or “Eurocrats” there through the week. On the weekends, they all disappear back to their respective countries.

Brussels is famous for a few things other than the ruminations on Constitutional Legal challenges. Traditionally, it is the home of rich chocolate, intricate hand made lace, refreshing pilsner and, of course the Belgian Waffle. But more on most of these later.

First, we had to get to Brussels. In the past, I have bemoaned having to get out of the gate at stupid o’clock on these trips. Better then to light a candle than curse the darkness one finds early in the day at this time of the year. So with a little later start and a tummy full of coffee, we boarded the Eurostar at Waterloo station. Looking out of the window of the train car, through the glass roof over the platform, you can just catch a glimpse of the London Eye.

The train shimmered out of the station for what should have been a normal trip on the train. But as with most endeavours, it is the characters around you that make it memorable and interesting. To whit: behind us was the keyboardist from Dead Can Dance on the make and beside us was a couple that proceeded to consume a gallon can of rice and goat plus five bananas for breakfast.

Once in Brussels, we went a few stops along their clean, efficient Metro to our hotel. As it happens, a city that has a plethora of Eurocrats during the week, enjoys a dearth of them on the weekend. The result is that the hotels, being empty, offer great deals on the weekend. In terms of the place we stayed, we were definitely punching above our weight.

Our hotel was located on a street that likely teems with activity during the week, just steps away from the old part of the city. But on Saturday morning, we were the only ones on the street and, save the clerk, in the elegant lobby. The room was two floors. Two floors! Lounge downstairs, bedroom upstairs. Quite posh. If you are in Brussels, stay at the Stanhope.

We set off on foot to explore the old part of the city. It is very clean and elegant. There was a building boom in Brussels in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s and as a result, there are many buildings in the Art Nouveau style. So popular was the style, that many older buildings had their facades updated to the Art Nouveau style during this period.

Brussels features some of the finest luxury goods. Not just the usual row of shops that one finds in the tourist areas – Hermes, Gucci, Prada. In an arcade, off of a narrow cobbled street we found a company called Delveaux. These fine folks specialize in finest quality, hand-crafted, leather bags. I think the picture describes the reaction better than my words ever could.

Brussels features one of the most beautiful town squares The Grand Place. It is found by following the signs along the cobbled streets. The effect of emerging from a narrow, twisting street into the huge, bright square is very impressive. Most of the buildings that line it were originally Guild halls that brought Brussels much of its wealth originally. The main building was the town hall and survived wars, bombings and hundreds of years.

Around the square are lots of gastro pubs that brew their own beer. It could be fair to say that Brussels has something for everyone. At least in our little family.

Sunday morning we had; wait for it – waffles for breakfast. Smothered in Belgian chocolate or strawberries and cream, depending on one’s preference.

We then took ourselves to a concert at the Bozart, or Beaux Arts Centre. It is perhaps a clear sign of your onrushing age when you enjoy a recital of Liszt on a Sunday morning. Quite nice, it was! The interior of the concert hall followed the popular Art nouveau theme and featured a beautiful skylight designed like a giant leaf.

Brussels is the birthplace of the comic strip. It is also the birthplace of one of the longest running comic strips – Tin Tin. As such, many buildings are decorated on the outside with large comic strip murals, rather than the ubiquitous graffiti that you find many other places.

All too soon, Sunday afternoon arrived and we had to head back to London. I would have liked at least two more days there. It is a city that warrants more exploration. If the list of places that we want to go ever gets any shorter, I can see a return visit to Brussels.