Beer Tales

When we first moved to London in 1997 we didn't have much time or money to spend exploring Europe. Our focus was very much towards visiting family in Australia, or taking visitors around England.

Once both of us were working we had a little disposable income, the channel tunnel had lost a little of it's novelty, and companies were doing cut price weekend deals to Brussels and Paris. Our first two European adventures were Friday evening to Sunday evening trips to Brussels, and this was followed by a similar trip to Paris.

The Stadhuis van Brussel, last year

This means we have an attachment to Brussels. Our first trip we stayed just outside the city centre. The weather was very warm and dry, and we found ourselves in the Grand Place in front of the Stadhuis van Brussel (town hall). The square is lined with bars with inviting umbrellas, and as it was a hot day we decided that a beer at 11am wasn't a decision that needed much thinking about. We ordered, and on receiving Susan's order the waiter said "it's a tripel" in a warning tone of voice. Susan took the attitude that she was an Aussie and beer didn't frighten her and said "yeah yeah", only to discover she had half a pint of beer so strong it made her gums go numb. Before lunch.

Jolly japes.

When we visited Brussels with Lisa last year we had to go back to the Grand Place. It's a pilgrimage to the place where we started to realise they do things different over there.