Brussels

EU Parliament buildings

Jack is now settled into his new life in Brussels. New job at the EU Parliament that he loves, new flat with 2 young ladies who seemed very keen to take him in and loads of friends from his uni days at the College of Europe also working there. I am very happy for him and it is easy enough for him to pop home - 40 minute flight or 2 hours on the Euro Star and also easy for me to visit.
So Hil and I decided to do just that for a long weekend. We just happened to choose one of the coldest March weekends in the history of Brussels and it was pretty chilly in UK too. Our journey began at 4 am driving through snow storms to get to Heathrow airport.
We booked into http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/brubr-renaissance
It was next to Jack's office, not far from the old town and also Jack's flat. Here are some photo's of our trip and the sun is sadly lacking here but watch this space because there is a sunny trip coming up soon!

The Grande Place

Ooh it was cold!

Jack with Aunty Hil

We passed on the bikes

At the Parliametarium which was so very interesting

Photos of the MEP's

Key moments in the history of the EU

We had to try the beer and there was so much choice.

Chasing the Wind!

Mount Teide

Matt wanted wind so we went to Tenerife. Initially I wasn't that keen on the idea but I enjoyed it. Sadly there was very little wind but there was some lovely warm sunshine which was great especially as UK was experiencing very cold, snowy weather. All week we had sun and temperatures in the low to mid 20's. No jackets needed and I spent most of the week in a sun dress or beach wrap.
We stayed at El Medano, a small resort at the South of the island. It was very different to the built up noisy resorts such as Playa Los Americas. This is a small bohemian place catering for the Spanish and backpackers, campers, hippies and windsurfing/kiting enthusiasts. There was a nice beach and some good cafes, bars and restaurants. Our hotel was a 3* pad and fairly basic but we had a nice clean room with a sea view and balcony and the food was OK. Other guests were from Russia and eastern European countries, Germany and a few Brits. The big plus point for the El Medano hotel was it's position right on the beach and poking out into the sea like a ship. Also it was right on the town square with some nice bars for after dinner excursions.


As there was only one day of wind good enough for windsurfing we had to find other activities - well I was happy enough taking care of the sun beds and Matt hired a mountain bike one morning. We hired a car for two days to explore the island. We found that once we got away from the not very attractive coastal resorts, the mountainous interior was very beautiful and we stopped off at some lovely mountain villages.

The scary road on the way to Masca

 

El Medano - the place for windsurfing

The view from the Red volcano

The dramatic volcanic coast at Garrachico

Garrachico

There we were sitting in a cafe half way up Mount Teide when who should amble in but Sir Bradley Wiggins and his merry band of Sky team cyclists. 

Matt decided he should join them!

Volcanic scenery near the top of Mount Teide

The view of the town from our hotel with Mount Teide in the distance.

A view of the town from the little volcano that Matt ran up each morning before breakfast.

Sardines and Canarian potatoes. Cuttle fish - Matt won't be trying those again!

International Ladies Winter Break With Husbands

It was that time again - the Winter meet up with my Italian and German friends. We  invite our husbands to come on some trips and thankfully they all get on well. We sent them off into the snow to play where they exhausted themselves with planks on their feet! Last year we went to Mosern near Seefeld in Austria and decided it was so nice we would return this year. We couldn't understand why last year's hotel the Mosererhof was fully booked but then found it had been pulled down! Anyway we stayed in a pension called the Spiegl and it was very comfortable with plenty of Schnapps flowing. Unfortunately some vile person decided to go into our room and steal 300 euros but I was determined not to let this spoil our holiday and I shall just have to work a couple of extra days to make it up.
There was some sunshine on our trip although not quite as good as last year. I walked a lot this year and really should have lost quite a few kilos but it doesn't seem to have happened. Perhaps the copious amounts of  heiße Schokolade mit Schlagobers had  something to do with it!
Here are some of the photos of this beautiful area.

The International Ladies.

Just like Narnia - now where is the witch?

We try to drink as many of the local specialities as possible so Ute was having two at a time.

Plenty of fluffy creatures to 'ooooh' over.

Yes it was cold

Massimo has the beers lined up!

We were determined to sit on the sun terrace on the mountain.

I love this picture.

The men were having fun.

The view from our deck chairs.

Off they went but I think they spent quite a bit of time in the bar having Hot Widows!

They are down there - near the middle of the picture.

We had lunch here.

The view from our room.

Under the Peace Bell.