Manneken Pis and Atomium

Having gone to sleep last night at 8pm due to the fact I was dead tired, I woke up at 5am.  Thought it would be a good time to ring Peter at work (12.30pm) - it was.  Was then ready by 7.15am to venture out.

After a satisfying breakfast of baguettes with cheese, salami and ham, croissants and danish pastries followed by coffee I set off to explore the city.  Wandered through the maze of streets with map in hand to the Grand-Place.  Stopped at numerous shops selling Belgian chocolates and eventually bought some (for Peter really, but I'll have to eat them as they won't keep - sad that!).  Meandered aimlessly, not really with a destination in mind, just taking in the sights and smells, hoping all the while that I'd find my way back (navigation isn't one of my strong points).

Spotted one of those hop-on-hop-off tour buses so I hopped on and was taken on a 2 hour tour of Brussels.  Saw all there was to see (from the bus window, that is) including a black baby rabbit eating grass on a verge near a park. The Atomium looked impressive and I must have been looking the wrong way when the Manneken Pis was pointed out (there was a running commentary from the earplugs we were given in 7 different languages).  Missing the Manneken Pis was no problem as there was a replica around every corner and in most shops, and I believe there is a story behind the little boy having a wee and putting a fire out.  The Atomium stands over 300 feet tall and was built in the 1950s to symbolise modern optimism.

Once I found my way home I took the opportunity to Skype Peter for a longish chat, then went down to the hotel bar for a caffe latte (not 'latte', as they incorrectly say in Australia) and a read of my book while watching the world go by.