Belgian Art 1868-1914

It is one of Brussels' newest museums - if not the newest - but what a great joy it proved to be!

Fin de Siecle (end of century) covers Belgian art from 1868-1914. I thought I knew at least something about this period having lived in the city for a long time, but this really opened my eyes.

My enchanting companion, Inna, who knows rather a lot about art, was also impressed.



I thought it was going to be a two hour visit, but after three hours the staff were literally pushing us towards the exits - there was so much more to see, and to talk about.

Its close to the EU institutions - should any of the Philistines wish to visit, which I doubt - but also just some minutes walk from Grand Place and the major tourist attractions.

I strongly recommend this.

www.fin-de-siecle-museum.be

A Memorial To Belgian Occupation Forces

A slightly unusual memorial - to those Belgian soldiers who died whilst serving abroad in the aftermath of the two World Wars, and during the Cold War.

It is very close to Square Marie-Louise, one of my favourite corners of Brussels.

The Square also boasts the memorial to Lt. General Louis Bernheim, the Jewish soldier who fought through the Great War and who died in 1931.

I had a slight mishap myself just here, back in the Summer of 2014. Just to the right of the white van is the spot where I was hit by a car while crossing the road.

Having had my legs swept out from under me, I took most of the force in my face before bouncing off the bonnet, over the car, and landing in the road on my head. There was rather a lot of blood, and nobody was as surprised as me that I was able to get up and walk away with just a broken nose.

I've actually broken my nose so often - 5 times at the last count - that I am getting rather bored with the experience.

The first time was the worst, I copped a roller skate in the face whilst in the Scouts. For about 6 years my nose pointed a bit to the left, but a right hook from a Geordie at RAF Wattisham straightened it out somewhat.

I started to get used to it after that.