Skiing in the city

Porte de Hal

Today we visited Porte de Hal, which is the last remaining medieval gate to the city of Brussels. We also went to Les Marolles, the Palais de Justice, which was covered with scaffolding, and passed by the Museum of Beaux Arts. 

When we lived in Brussels the boys and I visited Beaux Arts very often, I took them in for their dose of culture, even though they were only around six and seven at the time.  They didn't always appreciate Monet, Rembrandt or Breughel, but were always ready to check out the 13th and 14th century stuff as it was filled with all sorts of gory details, such as the martyrdom of saints, beheadings, torture, removal of entrails, and plenty of blood.  I remember taking them to a castle, and we went down into the dungeons, which were full of torture equipment.  I tried to convince them it was a medieval gymnasium complete with exercise equipment, but Pierre, aged 6, was too smart for me, and said "I know what this is, it's the mean room".  Every time we visited a castle he insisted on seeing the 'mean room', the nastier the better.

Musee des Beaux Arts

As we walked down towards the Grand Place, we came upon the Ski Centre, which is just being set up - there'll be a ski run down the slope.  Lots of Apres Ski places already set up, it looks very appealing in this cold weather.  We are supposed to get snow on the weekend or Monday, so lets hope it eventuates, and I'll be adding snow pics to this blog - looking forward to it!

Skiing in Brussels