Tuesday 21 December 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS..........

 and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all....

As this will be my last post for 2010 what better subject than my trip to Brussels for the Christmas Market....

We travelled by Eurostar, a first for me, and what a great way to travel. The only downside as far as I was concerned was the fact that you don't actually get to see much of the countryside at all. It seemed as if there were walls, fences and cuttings through the landscape virtually all the way, so any glimpse of an interesting hamlet was almost immediately concealed by some barrier or other.  This said, the speed and comfort of the journey was second to none.

Our hotel was situated about 20 minutes from the Grand Place and the start of the market. Modern, comfortable and with really friendly staff it was the perfect base.  It was also situated in the designer shopping centre, Gucci, Versace you name it. Definitely just window shopping for us, but quite an eye opener!

And when we eventually reached the Grand Place....we were not disappointed......





The market appeared to be quite small until we discovered that it was spread over several streets and squares....




The ice rink was a surprise and I loved the penguins for the little ones to hold onto....

There were rides for the children.....



and we big kids even dared to go on this......


There were beautiful shopping arcades...


whose windows were a delight...in more ways than one.....


 

Yummmm.....chocolate......what else!...



and we finished the day with the most amazing light and colour display on the buildings in the Grand Place accompanied by cheery Christmas music....a most fitting finale.....

And so with the following beautiful picture, as my Christmas card to you all, may I wish everyone good health and happiness over the Christmas break and good fortune in the coming New Year.



I have made so many lovely friends over this past year and I would like to say a big thank you for so many lovely comments, words of encouragement, friendliness and unbelievable generosity. You have restored my faith in human nature.

And finally to Diane from Heart Shaped, Thank you so much for your card, what a lovely gesture.  I am sorry I could not reciprocate as I cannot find your address, but just to let you know how much it was appreciated.

TTFN
Jenny xxx

33 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you as well, have a well earned break and I look forward to seeing your blog in the new year. Love the look of those chocolates as well..... Sue x

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  2. You are more than welcome Jenny. Merry Christmas and thanks for being an interesting, inspiring and most of all just plain lovely bloggy friend.
    Brussels looks wonderful - see - yet more inspiration. xxxxxxx

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  3. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and blessings in the New Year. Betty x

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  4. That all looks wonderful - I've promised myself a trip one year to one of the european christmas markets - maybe 2011??

    Have a merry christmas xxx

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  5. Wow, that looks a fabulous trip! What wonderful buildings! The Ice Rink penguins are cute! Happy Christmas to you! Abby x

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  6. Thanks for sharing your travelling adventures. I've not been to Brussels, so great to have a virtual trip! :) Everything seems so beautiful, and clearly rich in history those amazing buildings!! Merry Christmas to you Jenny, and see you next year. Sonia

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  7. What a beautiful trip you made.
    Wish you a merry christmas, and a happy new year.
    Greetings Ester

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  8. Hello Jenny! I hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and that you enjoy the happiness and joy that this blessed season brings. Happy 2011!

    Blessings and best Christmas wishes,
    Natasha.

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  9. What a wonderful trip, Jenny! The shops look fun and inviting and a train trip always sounds like an adventure! I love the ice rink...I would definitely need the penguins myself!

    Wishing you Happy Holidays!

    XO,
    Jane

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  10. Hi Jenny, Thanks for the fabulous tour - I just about got there last year! Best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas.

    Pam x

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  11. What a lovely trip to go on to help get that festive feelings, it all looks just fabulous.
    Happy Christmas to you and yours too.
    Lisa x

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  12. Looks wonderful - must put Brussels on my list of places to go to someday! What a good job you weren't going this week on Eurostar!

    Hope you too will have a Happy Christmas and all best wishes for 2011.

    Love the new header pic.

    Jane x

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  13. Dear Jenny, I wish you as well a merry Xmas and and a happy new year.
    Your pictures of Brussels are great! Never been there myself.
    Enjoy the christms holidays.
    xxx
    Michaja

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  14. Lovely pics, Jenny. I love Brussels. Lots to see and do. I could do with one of those penguins to cling on to when I go ice skating too! Have a lovely Xmas.

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  15. Lovely photos! I should visit Brussels one day, along with lots of other european destinations! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :) x

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  16. It certainly looked like a great trip!

    Merry Christmas to you, thank you for all your lovely comments this year.

    Victoria xx

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  17. What a lovely trip! Wishing you a very happy Christmas too!

    Jayne

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  18. Lovely pictures - thank you for sharing them.
    Wishing everyone at Winnibrigs a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year,

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  19. This looks like a brilliant trip. Love the chocolate :)
    Have a happy Christmas xxx

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  20. How amazing what a breathtaking trip...I love your pictures....especially the penguins and the architecture is stunning..
    Happy Christmas
    Lynn xxxx

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  21. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas,and a joyful New Year! :0)

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  22. Looks like a fabulous place to visit (I'm putting it on my 'Must Visit List'. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year xx

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  23. Such beautiful pictures of a beautiful city, Jenny! It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time!
    I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!! See ya in 2011!
    xoxo,
    Jo :)

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  24. Dear Jenny, the best wishes for you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

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  25. What a fantastic trip to go on! Happy New Year
    :O) SueXXX

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  26. What an amazing place...I'm definetly putting Brussels on my list of places I'd like to visit. Sending you all my best for the New Year!

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  27. Oh I went there one year with Stu to do some Christmas shopping.It was Blimming freezing...! We had to keep going into the coffee shops to keep warm.
    Although I am pleased to see you had a wonderful time.
    I am poopping over your neck of the woods next week to get some Annie Slaone paint from a little shop in the town. Can you recommend any good cafes.. haha
    Have a Happy New Year.. Em x

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  28. Dear Jenny I wish you a happy new year, all my best wishes and a year full with creativity!
    Thank you for passing by at my blog!
    xxx
    Michaja

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  29. So pleased to have stumbled upon your lovely blog. We just got back from a Christmas Market in Prague. Wishing you a happy new year!

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  30. DEAR Jenny!
    Happy New Year from
    across the pond : )
    THIS is the trip that
    I dream of taking,
    some day, so thank
    you for sharing it
    with us. I can only
    imagine how wonderful
    it must have been.
    Here is a toast to
    you and to all of the
    adventures to come
    in 2011!
    Snowy hugs from
    Minnesota, USA to you....
    xx Suzanne

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  31. This blog is beautiful.
    I come now, my name is Florian and I am Italian.
    I have a passion for England and try to get closer to your style for the furnishing of the house and the realization of the things I create.
    I am happy to follow you and I hope you to visit my newly born blog.
    Waiting for news from you ... a kiss :-) Flo

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Hi thanks for stopping by, but even better say hello. I love to read your comments and its also a way for me to meet you. I do read every coment but don't always have the time to find your email or web, so do pop back if you have asked a question as I will answer it here.xx