![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_5ff.jpeg?resize=640%2C853)
Back at the end of March I took a trip to Dublin and Belfast to celebrate my freedom of movement while I still could, ahead of the UK’s promised crash out of the EU. As an aside, the Brits who drool over a hard or no deal Brexit should be locked up for their own safety.
Well, April arrived without a Brexit. Next deadline – the end of October (but it looks as if that has been postponed as well).
This time I decided on Köln as my destination, via Brussels and – dare I say it – Krefeld.
Revisiting Brussels is always great for me. It is like going to visit an old friend. For several years during the 90s I visited the city regularly. I was on the management board of a multinational joint venture based in Brussels, and also had lobbying to do – mostly at the EU Commission.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_605.jpeg?resize=640%2C853)
The whole journey there was just like an attack of déja vu. Brussels Airlines to Brussels – it used to be Sabena until the 9-11 economic shock killed it off. The SNCB train from the airport to Gare Centrale. The short walk to my hotel.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_5fc.jpeg?resize=640%2C480)
Just opposite the station are 4 modern hotels built around a square – Ibis, Hilton, Carrefour de L’Europe and a Novotel. Until now I had stayed in 3 out of 4, and this time I stayed in the Novotel to make up the full set.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_606.jpeg?resize=640%2C853)
Usually it would have been outside my budget but Brussels hotels are often full all week and then quieter at weekends, so cheaper deals come up. I knew I was unlikely to need their breakfast with an 8.30 train to catch in the morning, and at €22 it was going to be easy to find a sensible alternative.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fullsizeoutput_5fd.jpeg?resize=640%2C480)
Between getting to the hotel about 8pm and that early morning train, I had little time to do more than eat and sleep, but just being in those familiar places was really enjoyable.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2019
🇧🇪🏴🇪🇺