We arrived in Brussels at the main Midi (Southern) station at 13h07, only to discover that the written instructions and map that Peter (our friend that we were staying with) had sent us to guide us to his house, had hidden themselves in our panniers somewhere. So we attempted to get some directions from the tourist information office. Rhode St Genese (where Peter and Iwona stay) was just off their map, so they pointed us in the general direction and gave us a map that went half-way there.
We headed out of the station, with our compass aiming us South, until we found a road that we recognized on the map (with the attempted help of a non-english speaking old french lady). We followed our suggested route on the map, zig-zagging through southern Brussels, and realised half-way through the afternoon that we hadn't eaten anything for lunch. A soda and Mars bar each from a roadside C-shop sorted us out, and we carried on south. We got directions from two very helpful ladies at a chemist, which got us almost there, and we back-tracked a bit after riding past Rhode St Genese until we found the right road, which happened at 17h15. Peter told us later that his directions and route would have gotten us there in half the time, but we got there all the same, and it was nice to get out on the bikes at last.
Peter and Iwona stay in a fabulous house in a lovely quiet, green part of the Brussels suburbs with their two children, daughter Waris and dog Grace. We had supper at home with some of their friends, a very pleasant end to the day.
We got up late and caught the 10h53 train into Brussels. Found the spectacular St Michel & Gudule Catholic cathedral, then walked up to the Jardin Botanique (not very impressive). On to the Comic museum - Tintin fans can't miss this one!
We lunched at Mort Subite - a cafe that has been around since 1923 and walked through the Galleries St Hubert, to the Grote Markt - lots of impressive old buildings. Bought some Belgian chocolates and got the 15h09 train back to Rhode St Genese. Brussels is relatively small, with not too much too see (compared to Amsterdam, Paris etc.).
Back home and we disassembled the bikes and packed them into their housses, the first time, and they seemed to fit OK.
We had a relaxed supper with Peter & Iwona, followed by a casual walk around the neighbourhood with the babies.
Up at 06h30 and time to say farewell to Brussels, and Peter and Iwona. Peter gave us a lift to the station with the bagged bikes in the back of his Landcruiser. We lugged our bags and bikes (with Peter's help) up to platform 4, only to hear an announcement that the platform had been changed to platform 5!. We found a lift to get down to ground level and then back up to platform 5. The train arrived on time and we missioned our stuff onto it, blocking the doorway and annoying the train conductor, but we got in!
Off to France, for the beginning of the real adventure, getting around by bike!
