Happy New Year Brussels

Arrived in Brussels to a very swish hotel with lovely big rooms, modern architecture in the atrium and as usual a lift that only takes 3 of us at a time...they are rated to 5 but when we all get in the alarm goes off!! We haven't gained that much weight! We could take the stairs but as we request high floors for the views and no street noise this is a bit of a challenge after a long day walking!
So Brussels...full of monuments and buildings with character both big and small. Our first day was spent at a brilliant model village depicting countries from the EU. A 1:25 scale meant the models were very large and very detailed. They had interactive buttons so you could make the Berlin Wall fall down etc. A fun morning. the boys wanted to go up the Atomium...wasn't bad, nice view and lots of info about innovation and inspirational innovators. We then headed to Waterloo. Climbing the 300 odd steps to the top of the mound a bit of a challenge for me..still trying to shake my cold. At the top..fantastic views of the battlefields..and blowing a gale on one side...freezing! Saw the Panorama painting...360 degrees inside a huge circular building. Impressive. Depicted the battle scenes with sound effects. Can't imagine what it would have been like for all those young men. Back  in Brussels the boys found a comic store full of Tin Tin and other comic memorabilia. Nice to browse! Walked to the Grand Place...amazing. Beautiful tall buildings with gold decoration, then to our surprise chamber music started playing and a light show started on all the buildings. It was very cool. So lovely. Had tea in the Comic Cafe, traditional food in an old building with Tin Tin paintings. Adam enjoyed the Tin Tin books free to borrow during dinner. A great night.