What to do in Belgium if you have 8 hours to kill

I got stuck in Europe for a couple extra days. I managed to find my way home by train but I had 8 hours to fill in Brussels. So I contacted Mr & Mrs J (as Mrs J lived in Brussels for a number of years) and they gave me the perfect itinerary for a sunny Sunday.

I dumped my luggage at Gare Midi and went walkabout. Starting out along Rue Engeland (where I did think, 'Where have they sent me?') to Rue Blaes and then onto the flea market to Place du Jeu Balle - busy with antiques, clothing and homeware, it was a great discovery. I then wound my way through all the interior design shops and boutiques around Rue Blaes and Rue Haute to a fab little place called Le Perroquet. This perfectly formed cafe has great salads, stuffed pittas and by 11.30am (after almost 17 hours of travelling overnight) a welcome glass or two of wine. Get there early on a Sunday for a table outside and enjoy the food and people watching.



Just a stones throw away is the Place du Grand Sablon, where I bought some goodies for Mr DBFB. To end the comedy food run, I popped into the two-storey chocolate emporium, Pierre Marcolini for a box of macaroons and a slab of his Carre 2 Chocolate: the limited edition Grand Cru de Propriete Hacienda Chuao from Argua Venezuela 72% cocoa. Homemade and with a hint of fruit in the flavour.

Worth getting stuck in Brussels? Just this once!