There were two distinct elements to the demonstrations in Brussels on Monday.
The main part, with the best part of a thousand tractors pouring into the centre, was a show of sentiment – demanding that politicians listen to farmers' demands.
But then came the second part – Confrontational plot involving fires, battles and manure.
This was the part that would attract attention, of course, and it was a profound experience to watch.
The police were pelted with fireworks launched by protesters. Photo: Reuters
The pungent smell of burning tires and the occasional volley of tear gas fired by police.
Heavy rain from above, along with countless gallons that flooded the streets from the various water cannons spread throughout the city.
At one point, we watched a water cannon spend a long time shooting water onto a burning fire on the side of the street.
The fire was just behind the barrier, and the water kept bouncing.
Photo: AP
Photo: Reuters
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Five minutes later, after the street was flooded, the water hoses were turned off.
The first immediately jumped up again, with the same ferocity as ever.
The noise was relentless.
Photo: Reuters
The demonstrators were beaten with water cannons. Photo: Reuters
The constant shouts of tractors, and from the public address systems of a seemingly endless line of farmer union leaders who wanted to give a speech, but mainly the cacophonous noise of small explosions.
Farmers have easy access to loud fireworks that they use to scare away birds, or in this case, the occasional police or journalists.
One was rolled over the feet of my colleague and I, and exploded with such force that it left our ears ringing.
As we looked up, dumbfounded, a group of laughing, snorting faces stared at us from a few yards away.
time to leave…
