Leuven it.

So, having completely failed to get out of Brussels (other than to go to England) since I got here, I thought I ought to do a day trip. Leuven appealed, being extremely close and cheap to get to, and having a couple of pages in my Lonely Planet Brussels guide.

So I arrived. I found the historic centre. It's very mediaeval. Wandered round to see what the guidebook felt like telling me about. There are old buildings and student life stuff happening. And a market. I bought some cheese. It was pleasant.

I'm really not sure how do be a day tripper. It's nice to look at all the buildings, but since it's really into the off-season, a lot of the guided tours aren't operating. I did enjoy looking at the Groot Begijnhof (UNESCO site - used to be a community of Beguins - essentially nuns who don't take vows). Feel perhaps I should have come for the evening and checked out the student nightlife.  Seems there was some sort of live festival about to happen. The Oude market looks like it could be fun but in the afternoon everywhere was closed.

Was hoping to have a guide, but I didn't think of that until I arrive and the only resident I know was away yesterday. 

Will have to see if I can sort out a guide the next time I travel.