New and old models of TGV. As the are seen side-by-side here, it's really clear why I like the old one so much more. It seems designed, with intention, while the new one is just "we told the computer to do aerodynamics and this is what we got". To the left, a dark ruby red set put together from one old one and one new one stands getting ready for us to board.


The train boarding started 30 minutes before departure, and it seemed that half of the train is already there waiting.
With a bit of a delay similar to the usual “go to the jetway and wait there”, we were let on the platform, and then stopped just before the first carriage door until the final go-ahead. Then it was a fairly long walk until my carriage and a civilized boarding. Unfortunately, the train type seems to have been changed and that meant some confusion.
Either way, we were able to leave on time and I was happy with my seat, enough legroom, enough width, I would even say slightly more comfortable than the premium seat in the same train. Only downside is that the tray table was so large, it got into my being fat space. But, no big deal, I could still open and use it.
Note: No photos because train was full and there were children seated around me

Now, the train arrived in Midi, but I needed to get to my car at the airport.
The arrival time was 23:17 scheduled. There would be a train at 23:09, at 23:15 and then at 23:51.
Luckily, we were arriving a bit early, and the train at 09 showed 6 minutes of delay.

So, I had two chances to make it, looking at SNCB app, from platforms 8 and 12. I decided to make a run for it, and got out at platform 3 into the concourse, got my bearings and went down the underground pass. I’ve seen platform 7, then platform 9, missed 8, decided to go for 12. Up the stairs at 12, the train was nowhere to be seen, looks like it left. I look over and notice a train on what seems to be platform 8, just leaving. Damnit, I could have made it. Now I not only have 35 minutes to wait, the train itself was slower, so I lost more like 45 minutes in total. Not great at this time of the day, but I’ll have to deal with it.

Picking the car up was as easy as dropping it off, just opened the barrier and my card should be charged automatically, love it.
The rain that has been periodically showing up all evening went out in full force as I left Brussels due north, the worst I have driven in for some time, but was gone by the time I entered the Netherlands, and as I eventually parked in front of home, almost exactly 48 hours after leaving.


Not far from Mechelen