February 28th 2007
The Cinquantanaire Arch, Brussels, built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgium’s independence
one of the side galleries, done in mosaic
The Aviation Museum in the Cinquantenaire. Entrance is free. Planes of WW1 and 2 on display
Inside a Flying Boxcar. This is where the soldiers put on their parachutes and prepare to jump
February 15th 2007
You can also send your messages of love: they will be diffused on Valentine’s Day on luminous boards of the town of Paris.
Victims of Cupid or in love with Paris: Get to your keyboards or to your cameras!
Here are some love messages shown on Paris billboards:
…Je souhaites veiller avec toi….I want to grow old with you..
… Ce soir de St Valentin, je t’annonce que tu vas être papa….Tonight of Valentine’s Day, I announce that you are going to be a father
..Mon pinocchio, je t’aime et pense toujours à toi..My Pinocchio, I love you and (am) thinking always of you..
…Je ne peux vivre sans toi, ma petite puce…I cannot live without you, my little flea
…Petit loup, je t’aime… ta louve…Little wolf, I love you..your (female) wolf.
..A mon prince du desert, une pensée de ta reine…To my prince of the desert, thoughts from your queen
..Je voudrais être une larme de tes yeux…I would like to be the tear in your eyes..
..Grâce a ton sourir, j’ai pu retrouver la mienne….Because of your smile, I could find mine.
..A la plus belle de plus belles je t’aime…To the most beautiful of all beautiful, I love you.
..Toujours vachement amoreuse de toi… Always overly/hyper/crazily in love with you
..Ma Garfield, merci pour ces six années de bonheur d’amour et de serenite. je t’aime toujours plus… ton chat Isidoro…
My Garfield, thank you for these six years of joyous love and peace. I love you more always..your cat, Isidoro
..tu es mon oxygéne.. je t’aime…You are my oxygen, I love you; 
..Même si je suis loin, mon coeur est près de toi..ton prince qui pense très fort à sa petite grenouille..Even if Iam far away, my heart is near you…from your prince who is thinking so much about his little frog.
..Mon ange, depuis que je croisé ta route, tu me donnes des ailles!! Je t’faime fort.. ta fée..My angel, since I crossed your way, you gave me wings!!! I love you very much…your fairy..
..J’ai envie de te couvrir de bisous à chaque fois que ma tête repose sur toi!…I feel like covering you with kisses each time my head lays on you.
February 13th 2007
That the word Spa which is synonymous to mineral springs, healing waters, is the name of a little town in the
south of Belgium which became famous all over the world for its healing hot mineral springs. It was an exclusive town, frequented by kings and aristocrats in the 18th century, taking the waters, for relaxation as well as for healing.
Last Sunday was a miserable day, almost black skies, raining and cold. But we wouldn’t get defeated,
we had to make this day exciting! We decided to go driving south and brave the awful weather. The Ardennes, which borders Spa, is the foresty part of Belgium. Beautiful in the summer for its lovely green vegetation….
turning orange and golden in the autumn. Leafless in the winter, the trees become a standing symmetry of trunks and branches.
The old town in the winter
One hour from Brussels by car, via the motorway, you suddenly find yourself driving through gentle rolling hills which reminds you of the countryside of England!. Then you reach the old town of Spa, a very relaxing sight, set in a valley surrounded by forests.
One is initially impressed by the architecture - reminiscent of the art deco of France, with its light grey rooftops, similar to Luxembourg. Luxembourg indeed is not very far away.
The town’s most famous export
Poulon Pierre Le Grand
An octagonal building which houses the well where Tsar Peter the Great of Russia was known to have been cured by drinking its water
(still inside the octagonal building)
This is the conservatory which used to be a winter garden.
Sadly, due to lack of funds, this beautiful building is almost left to ruins.
Not a single plant in sight, only big holes in the ceiling
A bottle of water taken from this fountain costs 20 centimes
Bains, Another imposing architecture in the center of the town.
This is an old bath house where one can get the most exclusive health treatment
A mailbox, reminiscent of English letterboxes
Notice how historical facades of buildings are preserved, even if numerous renovations by new tenants take place
Marché aux puces (Antique market)
The antique market is always a favourite find everytime we explore a new town!
I just love markets like this! And we usually find ridiculously cheap stuff that could sell hundreds of euros if we really get serious in setting up an antique shop in.
February 6th 2007
A whirlwind European Holiday
Venice - not again!
The Tourist - which one are you?
August in Paris
Driving on a Sunday in Ile de France
