Brussels - July 2016

Grand Square - Brussels

This month, well the end of June/beginning of July began with a short trip to Brussels. It was a long way to go for just two nights, three if you count the one spent on the United Airlines flight as we crossed the Atlantic! I was traveling light so I only took my iPhone with me this time which I used to capture the following photographs - all of which have been edited with Snapseed, LR mobile or PhotoToaster.

I arrived at Brussels Zventek airport at silly o-clock in the morning, The airport was the scene of that horrific bomb attack in March this year and the day before Istanbul’s Ataturk airport was bombed, so all in all it was a good time to be transiting international airports! I have visited Brussels on many occasions, mainly between 2005-2008 when we were living in Paris and it usually rains, at least when I'm there and this time was no exception. But at least it provided for some interesting skies. Britain had just voted for Brexit so the first shot below is of the European Commission Building. It was also the night Wales played football and won against Belgium in Euro 2016.

European Commission Building

On my last afternoon I managed to get over to the old town area which was about 30 mins walk from the hotel where I was staying. This next shot was taken in the Galeries St. Hubert which at least provided some shelter from the rain.

Galeries St. Hubert

I was also able to capture this shot of the Cathedral but I couldn't find an angle to get much more of the building in shot.

Brussels Cathedral

The Grand Square (at the top of this months blog) provided an opportunity to use the iPhones panorama app. This was edited in Snapseed using various adjustments including the conversion to HDR. Belgium is of course famous for its chocolates and macaroons so I have to include a couple of shots by way of illustration.

These final two shots illustrate the old and the new. The new (or relatively so) is part of the enormous European Parliament Building and administration offices and the old could be from the set of 'Edward Scissor Hands' taken just to the rear of the Grand Square!

European Parliament

Edward Scissor Hands goes shopping!