Back in my lovely Ibis Gare du Midi and my lovely old arched bedroom again! Such strong visceral memories being back here, where I stayed in all of my first twenty or more stays in Brussels. Quick shower then down to the bar by 120PM. Bad start—Stella beer tap empty and chap covering the bar doesn’t normally work in bar and is not sure what to do. But they have a lovely corner table for me to sit at again. The Ibis lobby and bar has undergone a major renovation—more comfortable now. Soft browns & blues. Oh Christ the proper barmaid has arrived, frizzy blonde bob and massive knockers in tight white T-shirt! I will be here a long, long time now. Remember her from my last stay I’m sure, but don’t remember them being THAT huge. Beer warm—as it’s a new barrel I guess.
**************
The Stripper 