Brilliant things about Belgium!

[belgo]

Just so we don't feel left out, and we need cheering up with this weather and economy etc.

I'll start with the obvious:
the food! Reliably decent restaurants.
The fact that we get the new Playmobil here 6/12 months before the UK

The children's TV, Studio 100, which has kept my children amused for the best part of 8 years - K3, Piet Piraat, Bumba.

at Playmobil.

Um, the beer. The fantastic parks and Provincial Domains. Cheap sports facilities/pools etc.

Fantastic holidays clubs/activities for kids.

Hope you got the dcs back to bed! Dd was extremely excited by her inflatable guitar - I hope you didn't get grief from your lot.

So what was it? The beautiful architecture and nice squares - to more be accurate, drinking alcohol on terraces on nice squares....

And waffles.

Paris Roubaix and the hard men of the Pave.

Plopsaland in De Panne. (and waffles)

Gorgeous sandy beaches (even if the North sea is not that warm). The Ardennes are lovely too.

Yes I got the children to bed while dh went out to the festival!
I just had to open my window and I could hear the music.

So another brilliant thing about Belgium: Markt Rock : a free music festival on the squares in Leuven - and you get free blow up guitars as well!

I don't live there but was really impressed, when I came on holiday, with how easy it is to get around on public transport.

Thistledew - when it works, the public transport is very good. Unfortunately it is a little unpredictable.

I hope there were other things in Belgium that you liked apart from the public transport!

It's very cheap too - though they do tend to go on strike a lot. I was shocked to see what a tube journey in London costs now. It is also very common for your employer to pay for your transport pass. Where I work, if you choose not to have a company car, you get an annual First Class train ticket.

For me, none of the above make up for the fact that it's dog shit central.

Thanks for that CalamityKate

What were we discussing last night Portofino, that police with guns was a good thing?

policeman kills his wife with his gun and is now on the run

I don't really beleive that police with guns is a "good" thing. I suppose I was more thinking of the UK riots - if the police had been armed, I am guessing that people might have thought twice before running amok. Of course, we could have ended up with a host of dead teenagers....

That's even more depressing!

Let's think of more cheery things.....all the cycle paths!

yes the cycle paths are great, except I never cycle!

Yeah, the cycle paths are great!

As long as you avoid the dog shit.

The hospitals are excellent, so when your child contracts toxocaria from the dog poo in the park, or you get shot by a stray bullet from a policeman, you can at least get good medical treatment.

My neighbours are pretty ace! Today they have organised a street party. We have a marquee and bouncy castle - and despite party not starting til 5 they have been out there drinking beer since midday .

The friendly people, the widespread speaking of English and the gorgeous policemen.

yes the gorgeous policemen even with their Girl Guide hats

Friendly people?! Where are the friendly people in Belgium!