Nothing particularly romantic (he doesn’t “do” Valentine’s Day) but nice to just spend some time together, which has been lacking lately.

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Just a few from the trip out.

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Only had the morning really in Brussels before needing to get lunch and go and check-in for my train, so I went to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium, which was absolutely fantastic and huuuge and worth a good deal more than the measly €5 they charge to get in. Had a last wander round the Grand Place with my lunch when I was done, then bought specaloos and some PIMs for John from the supermarché near the hostel before collecting my bag and heading to the station.

Knitted on the Eurostar on the way home and a French lady opposite told me my scarf was “très jolie” and that she’d always wanted to learn how to knit, so I told her it wasn’t very hard – only 2 types of stitches to be learnt. Nice to have a good exchange in French, however small.

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Went to S.M.A.K. (contemporary art gallery) and then the normal art gallery in Ghent. I wasn’t that taken with anything much in S.M.A.K. but it was marvellous to see a gallery devoted entirely to the work of living artists, and there was a very nice wonky stool made by some Italian chap which I rather liked. The other art gallery was fabulous, especially the modern section – mostly Belgian artists I’d never heard of, but some beautiful pieces there.

Had frites for lunch, then boarded a train back to Brussels and went and wandered around the Grand Place for a bit, visited the Manneken Pis to see what he was wearing (nothing at all, but apparently earlier in the month he’d been dressed as a dentist) and then went and indulged in a hearty and not too expensive spaghetti bolognaise for dinner. Yum! More knitting when I got back to the youth hostel.

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Taking photos all the way. Negotiated the Belgian train system, went to Het Gravensteen (castle), a couple of interesting art exhibitions in an old monastery and spent hours and hours just wandering the streets drinking it all in and taking tons of photos. Oh, and had the best coffee in the world ever. Mmmm. And did some knitting in the evening too.

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Missed the Eurostar I was supposed to be on because they cancelled our bus route and I ended up having to walk to the station, but the people in the ticket office were lovely and switched my ticket to the next train, so off I went – extended artist date here I come!

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It’s been a long time since I’ve done this but it feels good to have it sorted. Next I’ll have to move on to the others. Ew. But I need to get back to it.

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with djelibeybi and The Niece. Fantastic film. Amazing acting. Rush out and see it Right Now.

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Using my teeny-tiny muffin cups I bought in Sydney. Turned out extremely well!

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Took The Niece off the Bravissimo, got her fitted and bought her some properly-fitting underwear. She seemed delighted. Once my windfall comes through (which I know it will. Got my lottery ticket and everything) I’m taking her back for more. And some clothes. And a swimming costume

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