Brussels

28th July

9:55 am. Caught the Brussels train from Paris, arrived at 11.30 am at Midi Station. Went to book my reservation to Stuttgart and got chatting to a very charming elderly gentleman called George.

He insisted on showing me where the town centre was and gallantly led the way! We wound our way through lots of little back streets ‘til we eventually arrived at the Main Square. We then went for a pint of beer and some cheese. The beer came in a jug and was like no other beer that I have tasted - a little like lemony cider - it was very refreshing. There goes my no-alcohol pledge, but I couldn’t offend him. He was then the perfect gentleman and walked me up to the hostel and also showed me where the Cartoon Museum was. We parted with a peck on the cheek, swapped addresses and I gave him a Toontrek pen, which he kissed and put in his pocket. What a lad. If only he were 60 years younger!!!

Brussels has a completely different feel to Paris; a lot calmer, cobbled streets everywhere and big gothic squares. There is a large Tunisian and African population with many of them begging on the streets.

I got some sad news from Bob Vinke. He said he would not be able to meet me as he’s had bereavement. Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with him in St. Just later on so I explored on my own.

In the evening I walked up to the main square where there was a concert going on. Brazilian music I think.

29th July

I got up early and went on a cartoon trail round streets. You get a map and walk round the town experiencing the Cartoon logos painted on the walls around the town.
In the afternoon I spent hours at the Museum of Comic Strip Art. Managed to get in free with my FACO press card! Artwork and displays of course by Hergé’s
Tin Tin, The Smurfs, Felix the Cat, Baba Papa and many originals by well-known Belgian strip cartoonists. Brussels is definitely Cartoon Capital of the World!
In the evening I walked up to the Square again and got caught in a massive Thunder Storm. Got drenched right through to my undies!

Had a fairly early night as the train for Stuttgart leaves at 6:30 in the morning!

Sue