One night in Brussels

Brussels Airport

I flew to Brussels with VLM - quite an expensive airline. It was the only flight available. I laughed when I saw the advert above - it is placed at the VLM gate, just before you get into the plane. You've got to hand it to Virgin - it's clever and cheeky of them.

Volvo CE Headquarter (Brussels)

I visited the Volvo Construction Equipment HQ in Brussels this week. I've now officially been to every HQ of all the businesses across the Volvo Group - for Buses, Trucks, Penta, Aero, Financial Services and Volvo Group HQ - and visited offices in over a dozen countries. Amazing what a global company it is. It's a national past time at Volvo to compare caffetarias. Volvo HQ in Gothenberg has the badge for the best food. Cambridge is notorious for it's stodgy English fare but I still like it - I need fattening up.

Trip to Brussels

I went on a whirlwind trip to Brussels but managed to stop off at the Manneken Piss and Grande Place in the evening for some photos. The light wasn't condusive for master pieces but here and below are a couple of snaps. The drawn version of the little boy is photo'd off a window. Who would have thought that a little boy peeing could cause so much excitement! The little flash of light in the window shot (giving him a bit of modesty) was a complete flook of the light, i certainly wasn't trying to do anything clever. Amazing co-incidental positioning!

Grande Place

Trip to Italy (with Trafalgar Tours)

Trip highlights (October 1996)

• 1 Oct: A short journey to Dover and we cross the channel to Calais in France. Then to Brussels where we see the Grand Place.
• 2 Oct: We drive into Switzerland. Spend the night in Lucerne. Fat fish thriving in the river.
• 3 Oct: To the summit of a nearby mountain in a cable car, I see snow for the first time. Then a drive into Italy to Venice.
• 4 Oct: A full day in Venice - the Bridge of Sighs, St Marks Basilica, Doges Palace etc. We have lunch on the Island of Burrano, with beautiful canals and multi-coloured houses.
  We have made friends with a wonderful Indian couple from Culcutta. He made his money from air conditioing and has massive moustache. "I am a Military Man" - he explodes in fit of non understanding. Wife very sweet.
• 5 Oct: We drive to Rome. Spend the evening sightseeing by ourselves, including the Trevi Fountain.
• 6 Oct: We spend the day touring Rome - including the Catacoumbs (20 miles of underground tombs of early Christians - arched for Martyrs), Colloseum, and the Forum. American girl on tour (Natalie) is sexually harassing Australian guy on tour (Dannie).
• 7 Oct: Off to the Vatican - where we see the Sistine Chapel and its stunning ceiling. To see the genius of Michelangelo, compare ceiling with walls. Smallest handwritten bible in world - half size of cigarette box. St Peter's foot rubbed away by a million kisses. Then to Naples where we visit Pompeii's ancient ruins. Erotic paintings on walls for newly weds.
• 8 Oct: Spend a lovely morning on the Island of Capri. Exciting bus ride up impossible roads with awesome drops to a breath taking view. Drive to Florence.
• 9 Oct: A morning of walking in Florence visiting Palaces and Cathedrals. Brass door that started the Renaissance.
• Then to Pisa, where we see the Leaning Tower. We spend the night in Genoa.
• 10 Oct: To Geneva up a mountain by cable car to enjoy a Fondu meal. Lots of wine - our strict Dutch tour guide gets very mellow. Swervy bus ride down - our driver also tipsy.
• 11 Oct: A drive to Paris. A spectacular sightseeing tour of Paris by night - including a view by Eiffel Tower.
• 12 Oct: More Paris - including Notre Dame. Then back to London.
• 13 -19 Oct:  A week of relaxing in London. Activities included: Oliver Twist and Sunset Boulevarde - Madam Toussard - SA House - Big Ben - Harrods with mum and Ally - Westminster Cathedral - A wonderful tour of the London Tower by a "Beef Eater", including a view of the Crown Jewels - London Bridge - St Paul's Cathedral - movies (Trainspotting + Dragon Heart + Emma) 

Switzerland - our first view of snow

Venice

Florence

Rome

Pisa

Naples (Pompeii)