Brussels

We caught a fast train from Bruges to Brussels. The 600 metre walk to our hotel proved confusing because roadworks blocked our way, but we found our hotel and treated ourselves to coffee in the lounge. When we finally gained access to our room we discovered what we were paying for.

Energised by our extravagance, we headed for the national art gallery. We caught the 71 bus. We really are very good at managing the practical business of getting around new cities. Google helps a great deal!

The gallery proved a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. The star attractions, for us anyway, were the paintings by Brueghel. His religious paintings are usually just wonderfully detailed depictions of daily life in 15th Flanders. Getting up close to see the details was great fun.

His painting of the defeat of Satan was crazily imaginative. 

There was some interesting modern work and even a famous painting that I'd always assumed would be in Paris. 

On the way out, we caught a glimpse of the sort of architectural marvels for which Brussels is famous.

We bussed it back to our fancy hotel for a quiet evening.