Waffles, Chocolates and Frites

We were a little alarmed as we took off from Faro airport only to discover we were heading from 19 degrees to 0. The news got worse as we were told we wouldn’t be landing as the snow was too bad, snow what snow, we’d been walking around in t shirts just a couple of hours ago.
Having experienced a diversion from Bristol to Birmingham when we returned from Blefast we braced ourself for the bad news, but shock horror it didn’t come. Instead came the joyus news we were going to land, or at least attempt to land. We weren’t to sure about the whole idea of attempting to land but that was the pilots call and there was little we could do about it.
What followed through the blustering snow was the smoothest landing we had experienced with Ryanair.
Unfortunitly the drama was not over for the night. The next two hours were spent in freezing conditions waiting outside Charleroi Airport. Taxis pick and choose at theis time and despite assurances one driver would be back in five minutes, we were not the chosen ones on this night. Finally we got a taxi and heading the five minute ride to Charleroi Airport Hotel. 23 euro later we were there, can anyone say rip off. Apparently the driver could when Prue collected a taxi slip from the hotel meaning we didn’t pay. Add to that the fact the hotel were apologetic for the hassle, so they gave us complimentary breakfasts. Finally at 2 a.m. we rolled into our spacious bed. The next day we headed to the train and off to Brussels. Finally we had some snow to play in. Yay. Cold hands boo.
Brussels is a great city and the metro is an easy way to get around it, although we never quite mastered the validating tickets so I think we got a few rides free. The grand plaza was magnificent, Mannekin Pis was amazing, although Maddy was a little disappointed it wasn’t bigger, and the Christmas markets were a joy to experience. But the real highlight of the trip was undoubtably, Ice Skating. At the beginning Joseph showed how adaptable he was by skating away from the rest of us, before the hour was done, Prue and Maddy had also mastered the art of skating. Sadly I did not gain the same level of proficiency. As Joseph will testify my arms flapped as I struggled to remain standing. On some occasions I was successful such as when I hit Joseph across the chest as he came to my aid, however on other occasions I got up close and personal with the ice. We all loved it and Maddy in particular would love to go again. After this both kids went sleighing and then it was time to experience the Belgium delicacies, frites, chocolates and waffles. The frites were the undoubted stars, chocolates pleased the sweet toothes amongst us, while the waffles met mixed reviews. All in all it was a great four days which only culminated when we borded the fast train for Paris, 1 hour late because of snow on the tracks!