with baby in brussels

And now we enter the age of Travel A.C. (after child). We had been warned, ‘It’s not that you can’t holiday with children, it’s just that you won’t enjoy it’. So we thought we’d try a trip while Romily is still in her easy portability stage (that is, before her idea of a good time becomes crawling along a filthy carriage floor or toddling through a crowded airport terminal). Although our luggage may have suggested otherwise, our trip of choice wasn’t a six week hiking expedition through the wilds of the Himalayas but one night in a swish hotel in Brussels via Eurostar.

We found the city charming and the people friendly and laidback. I was able to meet up with my cousin and her husband, and as fellow parents we were able to indulge in baby-related chat as well as receiving an insider’s view of the city.

A significant difference to Travel B.C. (before child) is that strangers regularly spoke to us - or, more accurately, they spoke to our baby… with a few follow-up questions to us… primarily to get information about her.

Our next travel challenge is a 24-hour flight to Melbourne. Previously in a departure lounge we would be amongst the passengers eyeing the family with a small child and silently praying, ‘please god, let them not be sitting next to us’. Now we will be the dreaded passengers… the power! I can’t wait!