When I had the suggestion from my ‘Bestie’ to go away for a City Break, I was really excited. It had been a while since we spent quality time together, and I can’t say that we are completely ‘Abs Fabs’ any more but had certainly shared some fabulous times in the past when we partied hard and shopped till we dropped, helped mend each other’s broken hearts and even broken heels as we stumbled home from a Night Club or heavy night out in the nineties.
But now, twenty or so years down the line, three marriages between us and two kids later, we are again in the party mood and up for sharing a bottle of Bolly and a belly full of laughter.
I did a quick scan of the latest deals online, and discovered that Eurostar were doing a great weekend break to Belgium. I have to say that Eurostar for me has always been a really civilised way of travelling, and they had got it spot on with their choice of Hotel, near to the Station but central to the City itself and all its shops and amenities.
I settled on a Standard Premium rate for the Train and a reasonable rate for the Hotel and Brussels as the destination. Neither of us had been to Belgium, and so it was fresh, new and full of promise with the commodities we both loved, shopping, eating and interesting places to visit.
My friend Jackie loves music, and so I discovered that the Musical Instrument Museum http://www.mim.be/en MIM is a Museum with a collection of more than 8000 musical instruments, so decided that this would be our first port of call.
Eurostar also offered a special package of around 20 euros each of extra train fares to travel to other destinations near to Brussels, and so we chose Ghent, which is a lovely town full of beautiful architecture and great restaurants, and spent the day there. We even found a mini comicom at the ICC and a lovely Brasserie called The Rambler, where we did share a glass or two of champers to round off the day.
In Brussels itself we discovered a square full of fish restaurants, and Le Quai on Quai aux Briques was our favourite, reasonably priced and both food and service came up to full expectation
The shopping in Brussels was another experience, and on the main shopping Street Rue Neuve, you have a combination of all the regular High Street shops you would find in the UK like Zara and New Look, plus a combination of German and French outlets and shops from the past that I thought no longer existed like Etam and Naf Naf. Completely fascinating!
The host of side streets are a ‘must do’, and we both picked up some bargains in boots and shoes, as well as some amazing ‘off the beaten track’ cafes, where you can stop to have a coffee or break for a light midday lunch.
We made it three full days to really make the most of the time and money that had been expended, and both felt we had enjoyed both the Country and the experience. I would say it feels like a more relaxed Paris, and most people speak French or English.
The journey to and from London is certainly shorter than other destinations, and overall I would highly recommend Belgium as a safe bet if you are planning an away day or weekend with a friend or loved one – or as a lone traveller.
When I met up with Tony Klinger for an interview at Pinewood, the first thing that struck me was his gentle charisma and casual glint in his eye. So initially I couldn’t work out whether this was as a result of his heavy association with ‘A’ listers, or having inherited a famous family film legacy with his father Michael Klinger of ‘Get Carter’ fame.
But it is Tony’s own achievements that have given him the ‘edge’ and they range from producing Movies, writing Novels and being privy to the world of the Film Elite. In other words, Tony has steered his own ship without compromise, in his own right and on his own terms.
Tony knew from an early age that he wanted to make films, and even at school was awarded prizes from sponsored writing competitions, and running an underground school magazine called Fanfare with some of his friends. At 18 he was also writing and producing his own short films.
He has achieved a long list of film credits over the past four decades from action-adventure films such as Gold (1974) and Shout at the Devil (1976) both staring Roger Moore.
Tony also made rock films, documenting Deep Purple “Deep Purple Riser Over Japan” and “The Butterfly Ball” and The Who, including The Kids Are Alright (1979). Klinger’s book, Twilight of the Gods, recalling the making of the film The Kids Are Alright, was published in 2009–10.
‘Twilight of the Gods’, will have you hooked and as it documents his time spent with legendary rock band The Who, and as Director of the film and in command of the unpredictable activity of the Cast.
As if this isn’t enough, Tony has served on international boards, such as National Secretary of The Association of Media Practice Educators (AMPE) and The Audition for Hollywood Company. He has also run Film Production courses at the UK’s renowned Bournemouth and Northern Film Schools and was Director of the Media Production Centre at the University of East London. He has co-founded the Screen Commission Northants and is a newly appointed Patron of The UK Film School Charity and is on the NEL Creative and Cultural Strategy Board for who he represents the Digital and Creative Sectors.
Tony went on to serve as company President or Chief Executive for several media production, sales and distribution companies both in the UK and USA, including Avton Communications & Entertainment Inc., Small Giant Media Ltd. and Production TLMH Ltd.
Now in his sixties, Tony has no intention of slowing down, and his latest Novel, Under God’s Table has just been published and tells the story of two boys growing up in a divided society. Tony has clearly written this based on his own theology and has transported much of his inner world into this extraordinary Novel which is current, relevant and completely compelling. The separation of the two men to become staunch enemies, tears us apart as we live their pain and feel the agony of their ultimate destination.
A man of talent and intelligence, Tony Klinger continues to be an inspiration, and we are celebrating his success and watching his space, as he embarks on his next creative endeavor.
We had our Fashion Police out ‘White’ spotting, and as this is definitely the season of the ‘All Whites’, so have got some lovely high street grabs for you if you want to don the ‘demure’. A couple of lovely kids’ white dresses for parties and proms too.
But let us not forget the classic white shirt, you can add a tie to make it a ‘White Tie’ look, and we have also found a gorgeous Love Heart Shirt to wow the onlookers.
September 27, 2026 1907 Lord Bernard Miles 1942 Alvin Stardust 1947 Meatloaf 1947 Barbara Dickson 1948 Michele Dotrice 1953 Diane Abbott
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