... in town with the girls and my parents. One of those mornings when the Sablon is bathed in sunshine and Belgium pretends to be Mediterranean.

Park the car without any trouble. Stumble across a shop selling tea (I knew it was there but had forgotten) and get 50 gr. First Flush Darjeeling and 100 gr. of an Earl Grey with flecks of blue the salesman recommended. Then, next door, Ut Pictura Musica, the CD shop (I discover later I've bought the wrong one and have to drive back in to change it). Did I need it? No more than two more packs of tea but the combination of being out and about, April sunshine, the sumptuous minimalist packaging ... it's as good a way of marking the day as any other. We have coffee in Le Pain Quotidien and buy cakes for later. Finally, a quick tour of the museum - taking the luxurious lift up to ground level is the highlight for the girls. Not for them the Carl Andre.

By the time we're heading back to the car people are eating lunch at little tables along the pavements. As always I'm envious: eating out at lunchtime seems so much more delicious. Stuff Masterchef and gastronomic pyrotechnics. A simple salad, glass of wine and a basket of bread - that's all you need. More or less ...