Andy Carling describes how the weather on 21 July was a true reflection of the hearts of many Belgians.

Belgian celebrates its 178th National Day

Dark clouds hung over the National Day celebrations, attendance seemed to be half of last year’s and the sodden atmosphere dampened spirits.

The joke beforehand was that “You should come to this year’s event because it might be the last”, but on the day itself on 21 July, it just wasn’t funny anymore.

The police put on a good show and remained remarkably cheery while the military also entertained and educated in Sablon and the Parc was full of bouncy castles.

But it seemed as though it was only the tourists who were really enjoying themselves, the rest weren’t grinning but simply bearing it.

Perhaps this is how Belgium ends, like a hollow man, not with a bang, but with a whimper.

Dark clouds overshadow National Day