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Conference and Holiday in Belgium and France May 2005
Brussels, Belgium (here is the National Anthum-click pause when required)
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I am going to try and retell the trip that Sharon Tassé, George Leighton and myself Pierre Tassé took from our departure on 21 May to our return on 5 Jun 05 to Kingston Ontario, Canada. For those of you who are animal lovers, let it be known that Matthew Tassé, my son and his wife Lisa took care of our dog Nikie and that our next door neighbours Leonard and Jackie Woods took care of Sharon’s cats (Snowball and Jr). Jamie and Kathryn Briscoe (my daughter) were busy fixing my 1990 Crown Vic and Thomas and Mandy were busy helping Matthew and Lisa. Thanks to Thomas for assisting with the vet before the trip.
The 21st of May 05 saw AC870 taking off from Montreal airport leading Sharon Tassé, my wife, George Leighton, Sharon’s brother and me, Pierre Tassé. Our itinerary was quite clear, we began by leaving Kingston. We would stop in to see Sharon and George’s parents at their apartment.
Once the visit was finished we would then have AnnaLea Leighton, from Montreal, drive us to the Trudeau Airport (aka Dorval).
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 21 May a Mr and Mrs Leighton.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 21 May Dorval Annalea1 came to see us off.JPG)
We (when I say we I infer Sharon, George and myself), went on a train ride from Paris to Brussels. We had initially been confused on the train numbers and that is why we have two sets of pictures, one in second-class and one in first class.
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 22 May a Brussels Sharon and Pierre train from Paris.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 21 May a Brussels Sharon and George 1st class.JPG)
Once we arrived in Brussels it was off to the hotel Sheraton and then it was to be some relaxing fun for Sharon and George and business for me.
Here is George leaving the hotel. I threw this picture in the melee as you see George leaving the hotel block that we lived in for the week This picture displays a bit of the district directions.
There is also a picture of Sharon and George as we walked around Brussels to get to see a bit of the sights.
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 22 May Brussels George.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 22 May Brussels Sharon and George.JPG)
As we also used some of the hotel amenities, we paused to take a picture from the top of the Sheraton Hotel.
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 22 May Brussels Sheraton George on top.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 22 May Brussels Sheraton Sharon and Pierre.JPG)
![](Brussels/26 May 05 Brussels Sharon elevator_resize.JPG)
The nights when I came back from NATO Headquarters (HQ) having spent the day in conferences I was beat. Sharon and George decided that I would enjoy the traditional meal of wine, bread and cheese, which is the next picture that you see.
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 23 May Brussels George and Sharon having supper.JPG)
The next picture is of the Basilica of Koekelberg which is the 5th largest church in world. While I was at work, Sharon and George walked there from the hotel. The walk, I understand, was a long trip. It seemed that it was always just out of reach and is why there are no pictures of the church from inside - George and Sharon never took the time to go in the church!!! How could they??
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 24 May Basilica of Koekelberg 5th largest church in worl.JPG)
Brugges is also known for beer production of flavoured beer. One of the breweries is “De Halve Maan” called “Straffe Hendrik” which has been in use since 1856.We therefore had to taste some at the local Brassiere.
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 25 May Brugges and site seeing.JPG)
(Sad note: The Col in yellow, died in 2009 in a car accident)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 24 May Col Segerra and Rejene Brugges.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 25 May Brugges.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 25 May Brugges1 visit.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 25 May Brugges1.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 25 May Brugges beer.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 25 May Brugges buildings.JPG)
We did buy things from Brugges and this is a picture of one of those purchases. The lady to the left is the owner of the store. Her “tatting” (making lace) was handed down from generations. Her wrists were bright red from the soreness of the work that she had to do to produce the product. She explained to us that this was the end of her generations of hand-me-down knowledge as she has borne only sons and she has no daughter to whom she could teach her trade. Such history and such talent lost for lack of a daughter!
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 25 May Brugges Georges buying.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 25 May Pierre and George Brussels.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 26 May Brussels Sharon and George Grande Piss monument.JPG)
In Brussels one of the best places to visit is La Grande Place which is the center of the city and attracts many tourists. On the side streets is where we bought our linen and other knick-knacks. The side streets also housed the little restaurants that we frequented
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 26 May Brussels Sharon touching the lucky charms.JPG)
![](Brussels/Other for Brussels/2005 26 May Grande Place Resturant Food court.JPG)
![](Brussels/25 May 05 Brugges George and Sharon_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/25 May 05 Brugges Pierre and Sharon_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/25 May 05 Brugges Sharon and George walking_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/25 May 05 Brugges Sharon and Pierre_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/25 May 05 Brugges Sharon_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/25 May 05 Brugges visit_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/25 May 05 Church Notre Dame du Finistere 18th Century Brussels_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/26 May 05 Brussels Sharon and George Grande Piss monument_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/26 May 05 Brussels Sharon and Pierre with live maniquin_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/26 May 05 George enjoying mussels in Brussels_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/26 May 05 Grand Place Building in Brussels_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/26 May 05 Grand Place Sharon and George food_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/26 May 05 Grande Place Brussels_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/26 May 05 Grande Place George and Sharon_resize.JPG)
On 27th of May we all headed for the taxi and then the train at the Central Station. This is where the taxi driver wanted to charge me an extra 5 Euro because he said “You have a lot of luggage”. I gave him the exact fare and left a little upset. The next picture is of a “calm” us at the train station waiting to go to Paris.
![](Brussels/27 May 05 Brussels a Sharon and George Train station Midi B_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/27 May 05 Brussels a Sharon waiting for George at Train station_resize.JPG)
![](Brussels/27 May 05 Brussels a Sharon waiting for the train_resize.JPG)