So Belgian MNetters, shall we have an Xmas Meet Up?

[Portofino]

I mean a proper one, with frocks, food and no small children?

As I recall, no-one is tied to the house with tiny ones....feel free to beat me with Witloof if I am wrong...

I am at work all the time, so better to leave a daytime meet up to someone who is free in the day....

But we have Xmas markets, log fires, genever and a multitude of exciting places to meet up. What do you think?

Hi Portofino

The curry sounds great, but I'm afraid I won't be able to make it on Tuesday.

I will probably turn up in a frock, but I'm afraid the heels will most likely stay at home. I doubt I'll be that brave.

Then again....you never know...

That chinese place on Blvd Anspach that we went to for dim sum wasn't bad....and not far from Xmas market.

Don't think I have anything planned for the 5th - will check what dh is up to, and that no meetings will be coming up. The Krishna ia great - I love the prawn tikka masala.

We did only plan it last night....Prawn tikka masala mmmmmm

Put me down, the 18th sounds great. I do need to know where this place is. I obviously won't be driving, I must drink.

Wine is a must! The Indian is out in the sticks. We probably need a more central location for Xmas - I don't want to drive either. I do have a mahoosive spare room though if anyone should need it.

Quick hijack Ladies - have just been to Stonemanor (needed condensed milk - Nigella Lawson's fault) and they are doing Waitrose food now. They are stocking the essentials range, so got biccies and frozen rostis, and they will be introducing more of it, including some dairy, so we may be able to get lemon curd yoghurt. Prices good - 1 euro 35 for 400g of custard creams.

Ooh - exciting! The action aid book sale is on there tomorrow so I will go and investigate!

So for the Xmas do, Saturday 18th December. With dh/dps or not? Am hoping not because I'm irrationally annoyed with mine at the moment. I can't come out on Tuesday 5th October because he's out (work). Apparently any day that week but that day :( . Eldest ds is home so could babysit dd but I don't have a car.

Longtime, we could do a different day that week - doesn't have to be the 5th... I can't do the Wednesday or Thursday - what about the Friday??

Must dash x

Friday is OK for me....Is that the 8th?

Oh, without DP/DHs I think - anyway they will be "babysitting"

Longtime - where are you again? If you can't make the Friday and your ds could look after your dd then I could always pick you up/drop you off?

Actually I could too - have sat nav, will travel.

I'm in Auderghem though so well out of anyone's way :(

Longtime, you aren't as far out of anyone's way as me. I am an Antwerpian.

I vote no DHs on the Christmas do too.
Mine will be babysitting and it'll all be more relaxed without them!

What about location? Is Brussels easiest to get to for everyone? I know we're spread quite wide. The Xmas market will be on obviously so that part of town will be busy. Or any suggestions?

I don't mind where we go - Kreecher, is Brussels okay for you to get to?
Yes, agree re no DH's

Problem with Brussels is the parking though of course it's easy for me .

As Kreecher is an Antwerpian, somewhere near the ring might be better. Also belgo is Leuven so somewhere not too far from the E40. How about Jezus-Eik? Mind you, parking there might not be too great either as there are a lot of restaurants there. Zaventem, Sterrebeek - they're just off the ring. Is there anywhere near you, porto?

I will definitely have the car for the Xmas do. DH has already put it in his diary :). I will come and collect people if you like as I don't drink (though there's always a time to start but then we'd have to make it Brussels or I'll be staying at yours porto ).

I think Friday 8th will be okay. Will check with dh.

You can always park at my place and then we can car pool to Jezus Eik as it is just through the aboretum from where I am.

Well there is a very nice restaurant at the end of my garden! In fact there are several along the Leuvensesteenweg in Zaventem. I'd prefer NOT to drive, but could manage Brussels/Leuven/Zaventem by public transport, and places like Sterrebeek, Tervuren, Wezembeek etc in an easy taxi ride. Kreecher didn't want to drive either....me thinks.

Kreecher will come on the train . No husbands, mine will be in the with girl.

Kreecher - any luck on the insurance?

Yes scary thank you, we used one that we already used . I can't believe that I'd never thought of that in the beginning.

Oooh I'm getting all excited about going to a nice restaurant now I've been thinking and have come up with a couple of places - this one nr Av Louise in Brussels (might be too out of the way) or this one in Auderghem, which would be perfectly placed for some (Is about 5ish mins from Tervuren)

Oooh I love food