On in Brussels... A group of Emperor Penguins huddled against the bitter cold of the Antarctic winter, made in chocolate and on display in one of the city's poshest chocolate shops in one of the poshest squares, apparently to remind us of the fragility of the earth and the issue of global warming.

We schlepped about the city in a dull grey light. The kids hid around the house, hoping not to be spotted. The wee man played endless games of table tennis. Twelve for dinner but luckily the house is big enough for the job.