Euro Space Centre, Transinne

If you have a budding astronaut, the Euro Space Centre is a Must-Do!

• Dress up and strike a pose
• Test the vital skills needed to be a successful astronaut applicant with interactive tests for precision, accuracy, communication, vision and more
• Walk on the Moon and Mars
• Drop into the void to experience the sensation of a free fall
• Feel the effects of Centrifugal Force on your body, like the astronauts experience at take-off
• Visit the Planetarium and take in a film on the theme of Mars and the Sun System
• Relive the big moments of the conquest of Space
• Experience the 5D Space Show in the dynamic cinema
• And fly over the Red Planet in your own spaceship.

Stop for refreshments in the Voyager Cafe before heading out to Cosmic Valley to walk the alleys of the galaxy and learn more about the means of communication set up to keep in touch with your teammates back on Earth.

For some exclusive activities including fixing a satellite, riding the multi-axis chairs and the weightlessness wall, extend your trip over 2 days and 1 night with full board. 

A thoroughly enjoyable day out!

For more information visit: https://www.eurospacecenter.be/en/

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Have you visited Luxembourg yet?

This beautiful, landlocked country is definitely worth a visit whilst you are in Belgium. With all public transport being FREE, the gorgeous architecture and all the history of this Grand Duchy country there is so much to see and do.

We visited on a sunny Saturday, parked for free at Kleinbettingem and hopped onto the Tram, also free and incredibly clean, for a 20 minute journey in Luxembourg City. We then met a lovely lady at the City Tram Stop who took us under her wing, warning us to be cautious of Pickpockets and advising us of the best stop to alight ‘Hamilius’. Here there was a lovely fruit and antiques market in Place Guillaume II that we enjoyed browsing on our way to the Tourist Information Office.

At the TIO we collected a City Map and embarked upon out 3km City Walk to discover the historical delight of the City. The Grand Ducal Palace (top photo) is an impressive sandstone building not far off the Place Guillaume II and is guarded by a lone soldier. Along the route we passed winding, Harry Potter-esque streets, churches and chapels and some gorgeous buildings. At the half-way point we stopped at the UNESCO World Heritage Bock Casemates (see photo 👇🏻 ) to explore the world famous fortifications of the old town.

As we completed our walk we stopped for some well deserved lunch at the fantastic Chocolate House before visiting the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Luxembourg and riding the Pfaffenthal Panoramic Elevator.

There was so much more we could have done and we would love to go back to explore more. If you visit, do call into to the Office or drop me an email and let me know what you do!

For more information, visit:

https://www.luxembourg-city.com/en/plan-your-stay/traveller-information/citymap

New Customs Duties and Travel Regulations Update

If you are travelling back and forth between the UK, please be aware of the customs duties and new travel regulations for Non-UK Passport holders and Belgians residents.

Travelling to and from the UK? Beware custom duties and new travel regulations for Belgians | The Bulletin

SHAPE: Calling all keen Cricketers, SHAPE Cricket Club needs you!

The sun is shining, what better time to start thinking about Summer?

The SHAPE Cricket Club are seeking new players….

They train every Wednesday between 17:30 and 19:00 at SHAPE Indoor Tennis Courts.

Membership open to all NATO AMIS Card holders.

Contact James.YARWOOD@shape.nato.int for more information.

SHAPE: The Bookshop Mons celebrates its first anniversary

Owners Jerry Systermans and Laura Desmedt, celebrate the first anniversary of The Bookshop, Mons

A passion for reading in English is fuelling the literary community in the Hainaut capital. The Bookshop is a very welcoming English-language book service with a growing community of passionate readers.

Find The Bookshop Mons at:
Rue de la Chaussée, 26-28
7000 Mons
Belgium


Read More Here: The Bookshop Mons: A passion for reading in English fuels literary community in Hainaut capital | The Bulletin

 

Op ASCEND – Careers After Service

Op ASCEND is a free, government-backed service to support veterans in growing their careers.

Whether you’re a veteran seeking employment or an employer looking to attract skilled veterans to your workforce, find out what signing up to the Op ASCEND service can do for you.

For more information visit: https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk

BRUSSELS: Neil Young and Jean-Michel Jarre to perform in an Open-Air Concert at Brussels Palace

 

If you are a fan of Neil Young or Jean-Michel Jarre, don’t miss their performances at a new Summer Festival at Brussels Palace Open Air.

Neil Young is performing at the end of June 2025 with Jean-Michel Jarre performing at the beginning of July 2025.

For more information see this link: Gracia Live | Home

Monthly Rail Strikes planned between now and July

Please be aware….

A general strike that would also include the larger railway unions is scheduled for 17 and 31 March. Rail unions are planning two strike days a month between now and July, likely on a rotating basis, for example by district.
 

At this time, the unions are threatening four strike days per month from April onwards with a new strike notice filed that runs from Sunday 23 to Sunday 30 March

See Here for more information.

Have Your Say: Accompanied Established Long-Term Relationship Overseas Pilot Survey open until 14th April 2025

If you are in a Long-Term Relationship, this is your opportunity to share your views and help inform decisions & changes to the Overseas Accommodation Offer for Service Personnel.

Find out more Here

Take the Survey

How to protect yourself from loan sharks

How to protect yourself from loan sharks
A loan shark – or illegal money lender - is someone who lends money illegally without proper authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

That means if you borrow from them, they don’t have to follow the rules – they can decide how much you pay back and when.

These criminals are not always easy to spot - they can be a friend, a fellow service member, even a senior officer.

Whoever they are, they will usually appear as a friendly face, offering you a favour. They may tell you that what they are offering is nothing more than peer-to-peer lending and their offer may seem hard to resist.

But very quickly the situation can spiral out of control, and you could find yourself having to pay back much more than you initially borrowed. You might even be subjected to threats, violence and intimidation if you struggle to make a payment.