Mannekin Pics

Main display in the parliamentarium

2012-01-09T22:55:00.001+01:00

via gsm

He's still here

2012-01-09T22:47:00.001+01:00

via gsm

Inside the Parliamentarium

2012-01-09T16:04:00.001+01:00

via gsm

odd company name, wonder what they do

2012-01-02T10:21:00.001+01:00

via gsm

great advice magazine. Lots of tips

2011-12-14T13:34:00.001+01:00

via gsm

Av Churchill today

2011-12-08T21:04:00.001+01:00

via gsm

European Parliament opts for baked bean energy

2011-11-29T14:12:00.001+01:00

via gsm

promenade du lac

2011-11-29T13:43:00.001+01:00

a lovely painting, by Ewa Rossano by the tractor bar in the EP.

via gsm

still above the bloggers

2011-11-26T08:49:00.001+01:00

via gsm

at the opwning of the new Fat Boys at Achumn

2011-11-18T18:37:00.001+01:00

Morning sky over Brussels

2011-11-14T10:12:00.001+01:00

Hoq the European Parliament puts a roof on a garden shed

2011-11-13T19:31:00.001+01:00

Meerkats, a whole array of them

2011-11-11T21:39:00.001+01:00

Artwork in the ep

2011-11-08T22:22:00.001+01:00

no comment

2011-11-07T16:13:00.001+01:00

satelitte outaidw parliament

2011-11-07T16:06:00.003+01:00

Meerkats in the European Parliament

2011-11-07T16:06:00.001+01:00

At a meeting on radio telescopes in South Africa with Michael Cashman and the magnificent Naledi Pandor, SA Minister for Science and Tech

mural at le fleur on papier d'ore

2011-11-06T13:06:00.001+01:00

street art

2011-10-26T20:38:00.001+01:00

pavement mural

2011-10-24T07:29:00.005+01:00

tipsy witer

2011-10-24T07:29:00.003+01:00

Rubbish art in R Haute Brussels

2011-10-24T07:29:00.001+01:00

occupy brussels

2011-10-16T12:00:00.003+01:00

occupy brussels

2011-10-16T12:00:00.001+01:00

occupy brussels

2011-10-16T10:42:00.003+01:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

occupy brussels

2011-10-16T10:42:00.001+01:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

occupy brussels

2011-10-15T20:01:00.001+01:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

occupy brussels

2011-10-15T14:04:00.001+01:00

occupy brussels

2011-10-15T14:03:00.005+01:00

occuly brussels

2011-10-15T14:03:00.003+01:00

occupy brussels

2011-10-15T14:03:00.001+01:00

idignados protest, Occupy Brussels

2011-10-15T12:57:00.001+01:00

baltic farmers protesting outside parliament, and winning 'best banner' award

2011-10-12T08:55:00.001+01:00

Quackers

2011-10-05T09:45:00.001+01:00

ING bank advert at Merode

French customs training

2011-10-03T16:03:00.001+01:00

OK,I'm a bit lost on this one

2011-10-02T16:12:00.001+01:00

putting up the first Transpoesie posters

2011-09-22T19:58:00.001+01:00

Thanks to the British Council the poetry on the underground comes th Brussels.

looking for a life sized deceased Pope? Here he is

2011-09-20T11:00:00.001+01:00

Rainbow, but no pots of gold outside parliament

2011-09-20T10:36:00.001+01:00

sheds at the parliament. Good for power cuts

2011-09-20T10:34:00.001+01:00

Jurassic Parliament

2011-09-20T10:32:00.001+01:00

message from da yoof at Montgomery

2011-09-20T07:45:00.001+01:00

the gloriously bonkers Finnish musician, Mika Vainio

2011-09-19T11:28:00.001+01:00

solo experimental jazz. If only more pressers were like this. Would make the midday more fun.

underwear rules, says CoE

2011-09-19T09:15:00.001+01:00

an unusual name for a transport initiative

2011-09-13T07:14:00.001+01:00

Apparently it helps with fast transport of perishable products... from opposite Morocco to europe.

presser at STIB

2011-09-12T10:53:00.001+01:00

Greenpeace block the EBS

2011-05-18T12:18:00.001+01:00

Karen Armstrong was in town

2011-05-17T21:15:00.001+01:00

I got a great interview and she was compltely lovely

The office intern roasting kit

2011-05-09T14:45:00.001+01:00

Arouns Pl Chatelan

2011-05-07T22:13:00.001+01:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

Europe Day at European Parliament

2011-05-07T22:08:00.001+01:00

See the full gallery on Posterous

Obesity day lunch at EP

2011-05-03T11:38:00.001+01:00

BSOD metro ticket machine not working

2011-04-30T11:55:00.001+01:00

Tempting?

2011-04-25T14:28:00.001+01:00

Situated opposite a hospital

Hello Brussels

2011-04-24T12:10:00.001+01:00

Nutter outside European Parliament

2011-04-20T10:56:00.001+01:00

Gallows type things outside the European Parliament

2011-04-19T11:33:00.001+01:00

The Cube

2011-04-19T11:30:00.001+01:00

A 5* restaurant on top of the arch at Cinquantinaire. €100 a pop. It's not a proper cube though, is it?

My new painting

2011-04-09T15:22:00.001+01:00

A gift from Matt. Cheers.

Great book cover

2011-04-09T15:19:00.001+01:00

Matthew Crasner's studio

2011-04-09T12:54:00.001+01:00

Another brick in the wall

2011-04-09T11:52:00.001+01:00

Home made L sign on Ave Tervuren

2011-04-04T07:50:00.001+01:00

Sky high prices?

2011-04-03T12:43:00.001+01:00

My Sarah Palin mirror

2011-03-28T17:34:00.001+01:00

Bet you are envious.

Ad Busting in Merode metro

2011-03-28T12:10:00.001+01:00

Midday briefing

2011-03-28T11:14:00.001+01:00

Top item rename a project. I have an idea...

Sun and strawberries in Stockel.

2011-03-27T09:09:00.001+01:00

An Unusual Wedding

2009-08-07T15:10:00.001+01:00

It looks a bit small and cramped, but apart from that it's a wedding scene. The difference is that this was taken in a tiny church at Rogier Metro.

A Shed on Stilts

2009-08-07T07:53:00.001+01:00

I've no idea what this could be, possibly a birdwatchers' hide? It's in Marie Jose Park near Beekant Metro (Google Maps link)

Gay Pride in Brussels 2009

2009-08-03T07:27:00.001+01:00

T-Shirt of the week!

What a fantastic slogan. Seen during Gay Pride, this guy was happy to pose. I see a .lot of funnt or interesting t-shirts around and i'll have to remember to shoot more of them.

An Odd Shop

2009-07-30T07:30:00.001+01:00

I occasionally walk past a shop that is full of old stuff, with no real display, just lots of stuff piled everywhere, including truly dreadful paintings. It's like looking into the attic of a demented grandmother. The place has always been closed, so all I've ever done is look through the window.

To be honest, I'm a bit scared of going inside and more worried about meeting whoever owns this place.

Wheels of Steel

2009-07-29T07:53:00.001+01:00

The Brussels police have aquired some Segway 'personal transportation' things (well what are they, vehicles, scooters?) thus enabling officers to chase criminals whilst smoking a cigarette. This may improve the crime stats, but with Belgium having the highest number of prison escapes, per capita, in the world arrest may not hold the disincentive it once had.

Still, although I've not seen one being used by the cops, I hope to, if only to brighten my day. Apart from being a method of transport, it's also a device designed to rob the user of any dignity.

I'm also wondering where they will be used. I wouldn't like to use one on the road and the pavements would be just too crowded, so maybe they're going to be used in parks. I notice the one on the right seems to be an off-road version, judging by the tyres.

What is alarming is that there is a tourist company offering Segway tours of Brussels. Oh Lord, I want to photograph that!

The Sequence by Arne Quinze

2009-07-28T09:10:00.001+01:00

So, this is how cityscape was recycled! After the success of his Ccityscape, Quinze varies his theme to create The Sequence, connecting concrete connects the Flemish Parliament to the House of Representatives physically and symbolically, acting as a bridge between the public and the government neighbors.

Although it would have more symbolic power if it connected a Wallonian
and Flemish institution!

A Sunday Morning Walk

2009-07-26T19:34:00.001+01:00

Is it just me or has there been a boom in the number of lost cat posters going up around Brussels? In some parts, there is scarecly a lampost without a plea for tiddles or whatever.

I'm getting worried, but I did have a wicked thought today, whilst I was photographing this one. Why not mock up some ads, saying something like -

Lost One Bengal Tiger, answers to Tigger. Much loved family pet, good with children. Been missing for a week now. If seen please contact...

Something like that. Why not indeed...

The Buffoon of Europe

2009-07-19T12:51:00.001+01:00

Well, we've had the first sightings of the Berlesconi Babes in the parliament, but on Friday, someone had gone round with photovopies of a magazine story on the long, long list of scandals associated with the Berlesconi.

Don't know who did it or why, as it's not exactly news to anyone.

A New Flag

2009-07-18T12:35:00.001+01:00

This abandoned house has had those small German and EU flags outside it for a long time, where they're slowly rotting away. Recently the huge Union Jack has arrived.

I have no idea why.

ING Metro Advert

2009-07-07T15:46:00.001+01:00

I'm not sure if I can quite understand this advert I saw at Maalbeek metro platform the other day.

Anyone got any ideas?

Meeting Mr President

2009-07-06T12:13:00.001+01:00

We'd heard a rumour that there was a life-sized cardboard Hans-Gert Pöttering in the ground floor of the European Parliament, so we went looking for it.

We sneaked in through an empty office that had been left unlocked and wandered around the EP print room untill, magically, a door opened and there he was. Both of him. (You can see the second one in the background) Strangely he was on a plinth and I'd swear his head was out of proportion.

The parliament never fails to surprise, does it?

Sunset

2009-07-06T08:42:00.001+01:00

Here's a lovely picture from the eastern side of the city, looking towards the city centre.

A Shameful Moment

2009-06-16T11:11:00.001+01:00

Neo-Nazi nick Griffin, leader of the BNP sits to wait his turn to get registered as an MEP.

Just what Europe needs. There's a neeting of the far-right nutcases in the Parliament this afternoon as the little fuhrers try to form a group.

Which will last until they realise they all think they're superiour to the other members of the group.

A vile moment.

parliament chamber

2009-06-08T07:14:00.001+01:00

At the EP thousands of jounalists hunted down politicians for interview as we waited and waited and waited for the election results.

The various groupd had events, but some were elusive, I never did find the ALDE party and the EPP one was wildly understaffed. Anyway, we wandered into the chamber to watch some snazzy graphics before wandering out again, many towards the bar.

Poissonnerie in Saint Gilles

2009-05-07T11:36:00.004+01:00

I love the tiles that appear on otherwise greying facades of houses in Brussels.
This gem now adorns a gentleman's hairdressing salon.
I was in De Panne at the weekend and have to say the tiles give a better impression than the reality.
Appropriately, this one-time fish shop is opposite one of the best poissonneries in Brussels: La Gamba.
Founded in 1973 by Angel and Maria, who arrived from Asturias via Los Angeles in the 1960s, this wonderful fish shop is always buzzing with visitors checking out the latest fishy arrivals.
La Gamba, rue Dethy 5, 1060 Saint-Gilles, tel: 02 537 3885, open Tue-Fri 08.30-13.00 & 14.30-18.00, Sat 08.30-14.00 & 15.30-18.30.

Open Air Gallery

2009-04-30T06:46:00.001+01:00

Just off the Grand Place is a disused lot where a photo gallery has been pasted on the fence. What a creative use of one of Brussels' uglier sites.

Another initiative is by Gare du Nord, a dingy shopping mall under a bridge has the unused shops hosting displays of art from young artists.

A message to the world

2009-04-28T09:07:00.001+01:00

Standing outside Walvis, a cool bar by the canal, I glanced up and saw this heartfelt appeal.

And now the rain is back after a gorgeous week of sunshine. As Morrisey said, "Heaven knows I'm miserable now".

Bus Lane

2009-04-23T05:29:00.001+01:00

There's a plan to make Brussels more cycle friendly and one of the ideas is to combine cycle lanes with bus lanes. As part of the work around Berlaymont, I noticed a couple of guys going around painting signs on the road with two large stencils.

So, this is how they do it.

I'm watching you in Anderlecht...

2009-04-22T09:33:00.003+01:00

I love all the graffiti murals painted on the concrete columns under the Ring road that looms over part of Neerpede's leafy park in the far reaches of Anderlecht. IMHO, it's the best open-air art gallery in Brussels. I even thought about commissioning on of the boys to paint something on my bedroom wall..! However, it's really disheartening that some of the best works of art - which they are - get covered up by ugly tags, which display no artistic merit, talent or imagination. Only territory marking like urinating canines....

A Belgian Chav

2009-04-20T13:45:00.002+01:00

People beyond our happy shores may not know that Belgium also has chavs. Here's one, pictured in his natural element, outside a shopping arcade. OK, this is Belgium and Stockel has a classier arcade than UK chavs are used to, but this guy was giving it all he had.

Check! Silly baseball cap at odd angle
Check! Silly fake Burberry top
Check! Trousers around his arse
Check! Trainers
Check! Crap jewelery
Check! Singing along to awful rap on his GSM speakers
Check! Moving his arms about like only severely disabled people do

So, yes, Belgium does have chavs

Cleaning Up

2009-04-18T09:28:00.001+01:00

Some photos practically take themselves. This sign advertising cleaning services is helpfully pointing to the entrance to the European Parliament.

You may now start making the obvious jokes.

A Sinister Scene

2009-04-17T06:05:00.001+01:00

Inside the European Parliament, I found this scene, looking like it was out of a strange horror film. It turned out to be a drive for blood donations.

Yes, the EP, they also want your blood...

Google car in Brussels

2009-04-16T11:52:00.001+01:00

Spotted on Avenue Terveuren. I noticed this and got a couple of long shots, but as it was spotting with rain I noticed the driver get out and put a rain cover on it. Then he stayed, presumably untill the skies clear.

He could be there for some time...

Easter!

2009-04-15T17:49:00.001+01:00

You can just tell when Easter is over, as an easter egg appears in the European Parliament. I'm not entirely sure what it's there for, but it is awfully nice.

Brussels DIY

2009-04-09T05:39:00.001+01:00

Walking up to the parliament, I was stopped in my tracks by this letterbox that had been attached to the door.

There's not a lot you can say, as this photo does say a thousand words. Most of those words are rather rude.

Faces

2009-04-08T06:16:00.001+01:00

The Metro cameras have opened up a new world of voyeurism for bored passengers. I was watching this chap, in front wearing a cap, and finally recognised him. It's the Duke of Edinburgh.

Still, it distracted me from wondering why STIB have made the most convoluted Metro system, out of essentially two lines. It is just mad. There are two Simonis stations, that doen't connect. That can't possibly cause any confusion. The Stockel - Erasmus line has been decapitated at Beekant and there's a circle line that doesn't join up properly.

Then they try to impress us by having two tram lines count as Metro lines. Guys, we noticed.

Bill Clinton

2009-04-07T06:36:00.001+01:00

I was in the European Parliament for the Global Progressive Forum, a gathering of lefties and liberals, to see Bill Clinton give the keynote speech. Sadly I was in the press gallery and didn't get the best view, but here is Bill being given a standing ovation as he arrived on stage. I have to say that there was an extraordinary number of stagieres present.

It was a masterful speech, making a couple of major points, repeating them but in different ways and he really can work a crowd and has great charisma, something no European politician has much of.

Mmmm Coffee

2009-04-04T19:23:00.001+01:00

Wandering by Bourse, I saw Nescafe were having a promo, so I nipped over for a free cup of Cap Columbia. Very nice it was too.

Bicycle

2009-04-04T10:20:00.001+01:00

There's more than one way to secure your bike in Brussels. not entirely sure what happened here.

Still got the bags and wheels so all is not lost.

bike Rack

2009-04-01T06:55:00.001+01:00

This is the shiny new Lex building on rue de la Loi. Like many EC sites, the budget didn't stretch to include a clear sign of wht the building is (It's an annex of the Council of the European Union).

Another steel and glass monstrosity, there's only Residence Palas left to offer real character at the top end of the road. This is shortly to be vandalised with a completely inappropriate, yes you guessed, steel and glass monstrosity. This time with an egg shaped thing inside.

What does this mean?

2009-03-28T09:36:00.001+01:00

As I was climbing up the steps behind the Lex building, I saw this sign on a small gate right by the railway tracks. I took a quick snap on my GSM and spent the next few hours wondering what it could possibly mean.

I think it best represents "No Dancing like Geography Teachers"

Belgian Parking

2009-03-25T08:18:00.001+01:00

Yet another photo of bad car parking. I'm trying not to get obsessed by this, otherwise I could get very busy indeed.

Anyway, I'm sure there will be others to come.