Father's Day Night Ride and some more Brussels' Stops

I woke this morning with my knee feeling pretty good. Was a little sore particularly when kneeling at the communion rail. Small price to pay. Plan on riding with the Night Riders tonight. Probably will leave a little early to get in a few miles before we meet up. I need to start my week off with a strong 24 km. They are planning on riding 20 km. Looks like a pretty flat course tonight. Might be good for knee to not have to pump too hard.

Probably will stay in a hotel for the first couple day in country and from what I read Friday and Saturday hotel deals are best near the Grand Place. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g188644-d196151-Reviews-Grand_Place-Brussels.html Almost everything I had hoped to see is either on this square or just off it. 

Just off the square is the church of St. Nicolas. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/belgium/brussels-st-nicholas-church.htm Like most everything else in Europe it is old but has been renovated and re renovated. 

Another highlight of this area is the Manneken Pis.  That is if you can call a statue of a little boy peeing into a fountain a highlight.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis  I plan to go to the statue but won't go to the museum that holds the various costumes they dress him.  

Cafes and bars surround the Grand Place so I plan on tasting some of the Belgian cuisine and probably a beer there.  The chocolate shops hold only passing interest to me since I am allergic to chocolate.  But do love to smell the stuff.