1998's tour to Brussels was a fairly impromptu affair, organised at short notice. The Touring party met at Buffers at Weybridge Station (who kindly opened early for us), then it was off to The Tup, Twickenham for a quiet pre-tour lunch before setting off for Waterloo and the Eurostar.

A 10 minute gap between trains at Staines enabled the party to run 200 yards to the nearest pub for large Gin and Tonics before returning to catch our connection to Twickenham. On to the Eurostar and en-route to Brussels with numerous crates of beer! Unfortunately it ran out half way and so after a pop quiz organised by Dave Mellows had decended into farce, it was down to the bar for a few more beers. With only a broken hand for Ross Wheeler (a voluntary... but unwise punch to Balders forehead!) to show for our Eurostar trip, Gareth Owen decided that running people over with a loaded trolley on our arrival in Brussels would be fun. Unfortunately, the local police wern't convinced and Gareth spent a pleasant evening touring the inside of a police station! He returned later that night to make up for lost time, complete with a very happy face. (see photo) Whilst Gareth enjoyed some local culture, the touring party found itself, rather bizarrely booked into the Brussels Hilton for the weekend!

The following day was spent at leisure, sightseeing around Brussels (well OK drinking).

Saturday was the day of the big match against a UK ex-pat side. The first half was not one of Vandals finest with a selection of truly apalling hangovers, but the second half saw Vandals getting into their stride and a glorious international victory! We were then invited to join our hosts at 'Papa Joes', their regular bar. We were advised before arrival that there really wasn't anything we could do, that was bad enough to get us thrown out.

Not a side to turn down a challenge, even trying to turn the bar into a brothel, sitting in the window naked failed to raise too many eyebrows (see photos).. so we settled down to the serious business of drinking instead. A selection of fines were meted out before a reflective evening studying European politics at 'Wild Swans'.

We returned somewhat the worse for wear on Sunday!