O to be in England, now that February's (almost) here

It might as well be spring

I like spring. After the Ice Queen that is winter (beautiful and deadly) decides to give up for another year, her younger sister comes along to remind us exactly why we all continue living in England.


Being British I grew up talking about the weather, which tends to dominate our lives. I avoid going out when it's raining, I love wearing short dresses in the summer (OK, all year round), and I (mostly) love how beautiful snow looks in the winter.


Spring is an entirely different season though, as you don't expect anything. In England there's no guarantee that summer will be hot and sunny, or that winter will be glacial and snowy, but you do hope. Spring (and to some extent autumn) continues to surprise you with boiling hot, dry days, freezing cold rain and even snow!


Brussels on the other hand (as my wise ex-colleague did warn me) seems to delight in being spring-like all year round. On Friday I was carrying my coat because it was so mild, yesterday I had to change because it started pouring down, and today I went off for a run and it began to snow.

There's no place like home

Soon I will be back home in Blighty... something I've looked forward to since September. However, when I spoke to my boss about leaving, I (and he actually) got quite emotional, which surprised me. However, I know I'm making the right decision and am now focusing on my return to England.


An English spring is supposed to be comprised of baby animals, green meadows, daffodils, blossom and breezes, mixed with chocolate eggs, a sudden invasion of yellow bikinis in the shops and hot cross buns. People all seem to be happier, because summer is on its way, and we can finally throw our coats away, and start panicking about our post-Christmas flesh which will soon want to be on show.

This is England - what we're supposed to die for

That depressing thought aside, I started to think of all the things I've missed over the last 5 months. After a fleeting visit from the boy last weekend, I'll admit that this week did include chocolate fingers, Diet Coke and (my personal favourite) a Cheesy Beano (which for you non-English or peasants means cheese and baked beans on toast, not a comic featuring Dennis the Menace).


Now I know I am what is classed as an 'introvert' but recently I've been doing a lot of thinking... either at the ice rink or when walking to walk (which takes an hour each time there's a public strike - one tomorrow in fact), and it strikes me that I may have been a bit stupid over the last few months.


Yes I've found out that I'm not dead inside, that I do have feelings, and that I can cry... but what have I missed out on whilst living in the centre of Europe? And what will I miss when I return to Britannia?

England is mine and I take what I want

• Marmite vs Speculoos - NOW there's a question. They say you either love it or hate it... but I just like it. I brought a tiny jar with me, and I sometimes have a cheese and Marmite sandwich but I could live without it. Speculoos on the other hand has become an obsession - Unlike peanut butter, I'm a crunchy girl and I'm not ashamed to say I eat it out of the jar. I've always liked the biscuits, I've had the chocolate (Galak is the best), the ice-cream (Häagen-Dazs beats Lotus), homemade fudge (thanks to my amazing American friend) and even the coffee (just weird). 

• Diet Coke vs Coca Cola Light - Yes it will give me cancer, but I love Diet Coke. Coca Cola Light is FOUL and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. This was causing me endless pain, until I tried Coke Zero, which in England I avoid, but in Brussels tastes like Diet Coke. That'll do.

• Tube vs Metro - This is a tough call. A monthly metro pass (tram, bus, metro) costs €45 (before my company reimburses most of it), whereas in London you're looking at spending well-over £100. However, in Brussels the stops are further apart, and they strike regularly.

• Skype vs Mobiles - obviously I'd rather see people face-to-face, but it's quite nice to chat to people on Skype. Being abroad makes most people (you know who you are if you've been flaky) make an effort to speak to you, more than when you live in the same country. I loved speaking to friends and knowing that you can still chat about everything and nothing for over an hour. I've also spoken to my family more than usual. Also - Skype is free and won't give me cancer.

• Euro vs Pound - I hate the Euro, and never want it in the UK. BUT - when I've gone abroad this year, I can use my ING card and not have to worry about forgetting to exchange currency. On the other hand, when I go shopping I am getting done. I bought a dress yesterday for €35 (£29.40)... but it the UK price was £26.99. So I paid £2.41 more than if I'd been in England. Yes I got student discount, but I would've got that in the UK so I was still ripped off! Everything is more expensive here, and you get used to it, but it still breaks your heart when you know things are cheaper in London!

• Poseidon vs Spectrum - Now I'm hoping that I will find an ice rink near to wherever I end up living, but I know that the Spectrum is £5.70, for 90mins, whereas at Poseidon I pay €4.20 and can skate all day if I want. Also, my lessons here are only €6 and I know they'll probably be £20+ in the UK.

• Liptons vs PG Tips - Now I'm not a big tea drinker, but they really cannot do tea in Brussels. They try, but the teabags break when they're in the mug, the water is detestable and the milk is UHT (which I don't mind normally, but in tea it's just wrong). However, Lipton Ice Tea Zero is pretty awesome.

• Brits vs Belgians - I love stereotypes, and yesterday on the bus there was a man wearing a stripy jumper and a beret. He also had a wonderful moustache! Belgians are incredible as they speak Dutch, French and English. I do enjoy this multi-lingual culture and the pride they have of their language. Also - they don't really have chavs here! I will miss the Belgian (real or pretend) friends I have made.

This country's good

I have no idea which country is winning... probably Belgium if I'm honest (if you haven't tried Speculoos you won't understand) but I think being able to see my friends and family (which I am going to do a lot more often because I will be able to) definitely beats being away from everything and everyone you love. More importantly, I will bring a carload of Speculoos (and the white chocolate spread) back with me!

Britannia rules the waves

I am proud to be British, and happy to be coming back to my country.

Just in case you've missed my point, here's a thought from a true British actor, in one of the greatest British films of our time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnBSh3JRQVw

Escargot Delirium

When in Rome Brussels, do as the Romans Belgians do

Well, that's not as easy as you might think. My friend Banana stayed this weekend, and we decided to make like a tourist and explore the city.

So on Friday evening, we ate pesto pasta and watched A Little Princess and It Takes Two in our pyjamas with wine. Tres Belgique n'est pas?

Saturday dawned fair and bright so we began our Belgian day with a pastry and a smoothie which we devoured as we sauntered to the Metro station. A café break for coffee and tea (and a small piece of dark chocolate) allowed Banana to practise her French. "I'd like a cup of tea please." followed closely by "Oh, could I have some milk?"

So far so good.

Journey to the centre of the Earth Brussels

Our amble took us under the ornate jubilee arch and across the park, before coming to the ugliest building in Brussels, aka the EU building which gives you that warm, cosy feeling of David Cameron kicking ass here a few weeks ago.

Next stop - via the square that is full of fountains in the summer, meaning that everyone runs across it just in case they suddenly come on - is Parc Leopold and the Palace. However, neither of these wonders was quite as exciting as a hot waffle from a van, and a statue of a naked lady.


Past the funky clock and into the cathedral, which is full of camera flashes, despite the many signs (in about 8 languages) asking visitors to not use flash.

And so into the Grand Place. Many intakes of breath, but all this is forgotten almost immediately with the sight of the wonderful Manneken Pis (dressed in what appeared to be school uniform) and the Belgian chocolates. For what is more amazing than a small statue of a boy weeing, and 6 boxes of chocolates for €9.90?

High above the mucky-muck, castle made of clouds

After a light lunch (croque-monsieur and omelette), we perused the shops. This was rather tedious however, because they were full of people. So we abandoned this and hopped on a metro to Heizel - home of a wonderful picture of Brussels Sprouts with the slogan 'Brusselicious'. Excellent.

Of course there is also a remarkable statue thing in the shape of an atom - the Atomium - and we decided to pay a visit to the top. The view came at a price (€11), but we went to the exhibition as well. This involved climbing up and down a lot of stairs and escalators, pretending to be interested in an event that happened over 50 years ago, when actually we were just taking silly photos amongst all the architectural models.



Nothing for it but to return on the tram and read educational magazines (Heat and Closer), and have a nutritious snack (truffles).

Forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go down town

SO - time for traditional Belgian cuisine, and we headed back into the centre - destination: Tourist Alley. The trick is to make it to the other end without going into a restaurant... I'm getting better! This time, we managed to snare a free glass of champagne, and 3 courses for a reasonable €12. Excellent. In we went.

Naturally being tres belgique we chose escargots a l'ail so the waiter brought over our implements. My first thought was that they were for curling my hair, or scraping plaque off my teeth. However, on closer inspection I could see they were tong-like things for picking up snails, and a sharp prodder for stabbing them?

Mr Waiter approached the table, "is it your first time madame?" (Now I thought this was quite an impertinent question, so gave him my best stare). He then explained to ze eenglish peegs exactly how to eat les escargots, emphasising that it was important to keep the shell within the tongs, whilst stabbing and scraping the dead slug out "otherwise your friend will get a bath". 

Excellent advice, and we got through the starter garlic-free.

A hangover is the wrath of grapes

Obviously, after dinner we wanted a couple of drinks, so after deciding against the Irish karaoke bar with the police outside and a drunken tourist singing Eminem, we found a cocktail bar full of trees. Perfect. 

After trying for 15 minutes to find the Delirium -which had clearly disappeared - our next stop was a clearly 'upmarket' establishment.

Upon entering the pitch black bar, we were shown to a table for two, given menus and allowed to choose our drinks. We ordered, and then I was asked to order again as my choice wasn't available. This I did, and my cocktail appeared. The woman who brought it rubbed her thumb and forefinger together and stared expectantly. She then announced "you owe me a euro" which was odd as she'd given me 3 as change. I started to give her the coin, but she shook her head and said "I owe you a euro". I never got this money... so perhaps she said (as she dumped an ashtray full of crisps in front of us) "they cost a euro". 

After 10mins and a swift "Ou est le boisson de mon ami?" there was still only one drink... and each time he walked past he said "moment, moment".

Meanwhile, a giant disco ball came rolling down the stairs, narrowly missing our table... Shortly after this, the lady who (allegedly) owed me money ran past with a tray of crisps ashtrays which crashed to the floor. These were promptly swept behind a chair...

There's no such thing as a free lunch club entry

After downing the drinks (which came just as we'd decided to leave), we left and made the decision to go to a club we'd been given free entry to... this was a severe error of judgement. It was tiny, and almost empty, and the drinks list consisted of bottles of spirits (€60), special spirits (€70), and a few paupers drinks (one Malibu and coke was €9). Drunken men 'danced' on a block of wood in the middle of the 'club', punching the air and spinning around... I think they were having a fake fight.

Needless to say, we left soon after (at the reasonable time of 12.30), and ended our day in true British style, with two episodes of Mock the Week.

Happy New Year

January 2012
It's the first week of January, and that means that most people are convincing themselves that they need to sort their lives out. New job, new house, new body, new lifestyle... new obsessions. Why do we do this? Christmas seems such a good idea - spend a fortune on presents, food and alcohol, and then after it's all over, we all get a guilty conscience.

The most common guilt trips seem to be:

• Eating too much over Christmas
• Drinking too much over Christmas
• Spending too much over Christmas
• Not exercising enough over Christmas
• Not sleeping enough over Christmas

Looking at the above I can safely say that I feel like they all apply to me. However, not in the same way as most people.

• I barely eat anything in Brussels - cooking for one is boring and uninteresting, and food is expensive
• I don't really drink in Brussels - I live far away from the centre, and refuse to drink in my room alone
• The Eurostar wasn't cheap - that raised my December outgoings rather a lot
• I do a lot of exercise in Brussels - 40mins walking a day, plus skating, stair climbing and yoga
• I came back to Brussels shattered (getting up at 6.30am GMT after being used to getting up at 9am)

I suppose after enjoying ourselves (or not), people feel they need to start the New Year by being good (boring). I made some New Year's resolutions... but had already broken most of them by Jan 2nd!

My New Year's Resolutions

• Drink less - I had to finish the bottle from New Year's Eve (Jan 1st), then was offered mulled wine (Jan 2nd), white wine (3rd Jan, 4th Jan), went out with a new friend (5th Jan). Yesterday I did not drink any alcohol (Result)
• Be positive - I got on the Eurostar and watched a film. Got back to the empty house and wanted to come home (2nd Jan). Now the end is in sight however, it seems much easier and I am persevering.
• Stop procrastinating - my CV needed updating... I cleaned my room, stripped the bed, cleaned the bathroom, culled FB friends, organised my birthday, and wrote this blog. Oops.
• Run a half marathon - this needs to be booked. Watch this space.

My boyfriend's decided to do something that scares him each month... I'm sure I can think of a few things he could give a go!

Christmas time is family time

I had a fantastic Christmas this year. I saw loads of friends, had several Christmas dinners, and enjoyed being with mine and my boyfriend's families. I love traditions, so it's fun to think how we'll eventually combine them... probably by getting fat!

My family eat on Christmas Eve (it saves stress on Christmas Day), and eat whatever we want on Christmas Day. The boy's family have dinner on Christmas Day AND Boxing Day. SO - we could get 3 Christmas dinners each year if we time it right :) 

Other traditions include disguising presents (my family), and starring presents for the same people (his family) so they open them together.

Both of our families are quite similar actually. They both spread presents out over several days, enjoy playing games and Christmas walks. This year my boyfriend's dad had made a fab quiz which caused a lot of entertainment (yes, we did win), whereas my family preferred long-winded Trivial Pursuit. Add in the Downton Christmas Special, walking on the beach, mulled wine and cracker jokes and it was perfect!

I suppose I should go and update my CV... although I could paint my nails, and book my trip to Germany :)