DodgeDude5498 Posted March 29, 2020 Great looking updates! Alqonquin (my own City layout) is also undergoing a lockdown. Gotta love that testing shelter with the brick separators for the roof! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted April 5, 2020 This update sees the news crew continuing to report on the ongoing lockdown. Traditionally this weekend before Easter would mark the start of the town's busy tourist season, but this year the usually bustling harbour area is deserted... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Despite the warm sunshine, the beach and open air pool are empty... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Even the "Duck Boats" usually so popular with both the locals and visitors remain tied up... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr But not far offshore, something is moving... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr ...an unmanned survey vessel (being controlled remotely from several hundred miles away... the ultimate in working from home!). It's been hired by a new deep sea exploration team to map the sea bed out in Ballabreek Bay. They're hoping that it might just help locate the long lost wreck of the Barracuda - an infamous 18th century sailing ship believed to have been heavily involved in piracy (and according to local stories, having gone down loaded with gold stolen from the town's mine!). Perhaps over the next few months we might learn a bit more about this interesting bit of maritime history!! The survey vessel is based on one I saw operating locally (I've given it its own topic here )... the "Barracuda" story is hopefully going to allow me to use the new Ideas pirate set and the upcoming Divers sub theme in future updates!! As always, thanks for looking... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DodgeDude5498 Posted April 5, 2020 Nice update, can't wait to see what stories you come up with for that new set! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted April 12, 2020 This week is an Easter themed update but, as my minifigs are still in lockdown, it's going to be a bit different... Starting at the church we see the news crew covering the traditional Easter service but this year the priest is preaching to an empty building. However he is being live-streamed onto the internet for any interested citizens to watch. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The town's annual Children's Easter Egg Hunt has also gone online... photos of various locations around town have been uploaded and in each photo 5 easter eggs have been hidden for people to spot. Why not have a go yourself? Location #1 The Hiking Trail Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Location #2 The Mine Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Location #3 The Park Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Location #4 The Shopping Street Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Location #5 The Harbour Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Hope you found them all!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Happy Easter and thanks for looking!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
x57bob Posted April 12, 2020 The first 4 came pretty easy, but I’m still stumped on the last one. I really like the idea of an online Easter egg hunt! Keep up the great work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted April 19, 2020 The lockdown continues but the news crew are still out and about. Today they're interviewing Mr Curry the owner of the local dive shop about his recent donation of diving masks to be turned into breathing aids at the local hospital. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The news team then travel to the hospital itself to see the modified masks in action, helping to keep Covid patients alive. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A doctor demonstrates how the masks work.. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The hospital might only be small but it's managed to double its bed capacity and thanks to the hard working medical staff, those Ballabreek citizens who do get ill and end up in hospital are receiving the best care possible! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I based this update on a news story about how diving masks have been modified for use in hospitals here (and as Ballabreek has a dive shop and a hospital it seemed a good way to combine the two!!) Thanks for looking... keep safe! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DodgeDude5498 Posted April 19, 2020 That's a really cool idea with the rubber tubing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted April 28, 2020 (edited) This is last weekend's update... albeit a bit late (or perhaps it's this weekend's update a bit early!). Anyway, it's good news for the citizens of Ballabreek, as after a month of strict lockdown it seems the virus' spread has been all but halted. As a result, the rules are being relaxed slightly, allowing some minifigs to return to work. Most of those who work on their own outside (some builders, window cleaners and gardeners) can now go back to work - as long as they practise social distancing (keeping 6 studs apart). Today the news crew have been at the park interviewing one such worker... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The rules have also been changed to allow everyone else more time outside (but most shops remain shut and the "6 stud" rule has to be followed.) One local street artist has used this extra time to give the famous "Ballabreek Bricks" sculpture a makeover!! (where I live, rainbows have become a common symbol in people's windows, on walls etc to cheer people up.) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So is this is the start of life in Ballabreek getting back to normal? We'll just have to wait and see!! The whole scene... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Again, this is mirroring what's happening here in real life, I just hope relaxing the rules doesn't cause the virus to start spreading again!! As always, thanks for looking.... comments are always welcome! Edited April 28, 2020 by greg3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Brick Boss Posted April 28, 2020 A nice job well done! I love that grocery store MOC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted May 4, 2020 As today is May the 4th (a.k.a Star Wars Day) I thought it was time to treat my minifigs (many of whom have been stuck inside under lockdown for weeks). So I arranged for a mobile cinema screen (ie my phone!) to be set up and turned the residential street into an open air cinema so they could have a Star Wars movie marathon!! Apologies in advance for the poor photo quality as I had to take them on an ancient iPad as my phone was showing the movie... hadn't really thought that through!! Anyway, We're just in time to catch part of The Empire Strikes Back!! (so shhhh!... and pass the popcorn!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Seating (Appropriately socially distanced of course) was set up in the street... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr While others preferred to watch from their rooftops... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Of course the news crew were there to capture the event... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Including some interesting alternatives to face masks... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The idea seems to have been a big hit with the citizens and they're already looking forward to another Ballabreek Movie Night!! (maybe it'll be Superheroes next time... or Harry Potter? We'll have to wait and see!!) Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vindicare Posted May 4, 2020 Love that! That’s the kind of thing every city should adopt. Close down a street & play SW all day! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted May 8, 2020 (edited) Today's update sees the people of Ballabreek marking the 75th anniversary of VE day. Unfortunately the current lockdown means the majority had to mark the occasion from inside their own homes but in a simple ceremony at the war memorial, the town's mayor laid a wreath. (recorded of course by the local news crew). Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This was followed by a fly past involving a WW2 Spitfire (The Spitfire is from Brickmania) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I like any excuse to get my collection of military themed models into Ballabreek (there may be more in the next few weeks!) In the meantime, hopefully starting next week, life in the town will start to get back to some sort of normality!! Thanks for looking! Edited May 8, 2020 by greg3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gotoAndLego Posted May 8, 2020 You know, i get Island news from a couple of groups I’m a member of and its always interesting to see it reflected in your updates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted May 16, 2020 (edited) Following on from last week's VE Day commemorations and continuing the military theme, this week marked 80 years since the formation of the Home Guard during WW2. Made up of men that couldn't join the regular army, their job was to defend their home towns and villages in the event of an invasion. Ballabreek was no exception and this rare photo shows some of the members of Ballabreek's Home Guard Platoon... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr One of the men in the photo (far left) is now Ballabreek's oldest resident (aged 97) and has become something of a celebrity in recent weeks thanks to his fund raising activities in support of the local hospital. Of course the local news crew are on hand to interview him (and thanks to the easing of the lockdown he's chosen to meet them at same spot where the original photo was taken.) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr An unedited pic of the Home Guard... (figures from United Bricks) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The thing that looks like across between a Dalek and a dustbin(!) is a Smith Gun... an antitank gun used by the real Home Guard and inspired by one in my local museum. This MOC (see more in this thread) was the inspiration for the theme of week's update (which has also become a homage to Captain Tom Moore (a real life WW2 veteran who has raised millions of pounds for the UK health service in recent weeks)). Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As always, thanks for looking.... Edited May 16, 2020 by greg3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted May 27, 2020 For this week's (rather short) update, the news crew take to the road again to see how life is getting back to some sort of normality as the lockdown is eased... Mining has resumed at the local mine... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The recycling centre has also reopened... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As has the park... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And most of the local shops... with social distancing rules of course! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The Lego Store is especially popular! (the queue goes right round the building!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Unfortunately though, not all businesses have survived... the local hairdresser has decided to sell up and retire. The shop is being cleared out ready for a new business to take over... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr What that new business will be, I've yet to decide. I'm currently thinking of either a florist, music/instrument store, pet shop, clothes shop or phone/electronic item repair shop but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. It might be home to a series of temporary pop-up shops until I decide. Anyway, thanks for looking!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Brick Boss Posted May 27, 2020 @greg3 I love what you did with the Miners btw. Making them the road crew is pretty clever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DodgeDude5498 Posted May 27, 2020 Every time you make a new post you make me want to keep working on my town lol XD Looks great! Keep at it and thanks for the inspiration ;P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted May 30, 2020 (edited) This week has seen the 80th Anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the British Army from Dunkirk in France at the start of WW2. The Isle of Man (where Ballabreek is set and where I live) played a major part in the operation with many of its Steam Packet Company passenger ferries and their civilian crews requisitioned by the Navy. It is believed that around 25,000 men were evacuated by Manx ships (1 in 15 of the total rescued) but sadly 4 Steam Packet ships were lost during the operation (along with a number of their civilian crews). In Ballabreek the anniversary has been marked with a wreath laying at sea, carried out by one of the surviving little ships which would have ferried the men from the beaches to the waiting ferries.... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The ceremony was watched from shore by relatives of those who took part in the events 80 years ago (and of course our favourite news crew were on hand to cover the occasion) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This was just a quick update... and a chance to show my "Little Ship" MOC. It's based on a real life "Little Ship" the Tamzine, which at less than 15ft long was the smallest of the ships sent to Dunkirk. The real life ship is in the Imperial War Museum. I would have liked to do one of the local vessels that took part but they were all a bit big!! (Perhaps in microscale one day!). More information on the Tamzine MOC (and its real life inspiration) in this thread. Thanks for looking... as always comments are very welcome. Edited May 30, 2020 by greg3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vindicare Posted May 31, 2020 The more I see your intrepid, and very busy, news crew makes me want to buy the Donut Shop Opening even more. I love those two & their van. I do hope the get the set one of these days in the near future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted June 7, 2020 (edited) This weekend should be Ballabreek's busiest time of the year as people flock to the area to watch the annual TT Motorcycle Races. As well as the racing itself around the local streets, there would be stunt shows, funfairs, live music, beer tents, fireworks and air displays, but this year all of that has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus. As a result, instead of covering the racing the local news crew are out and about to see how the locals are getting on... Many local businesses rely on the influx of visitors and are finding times hard. Here a local woman explains how she just hopes that the can make enough money over the next few months to cover the cost of the brand new ice cream van she bought just as lockdown started! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr She seems quite optimistic about things though!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The local garage owner is interviewed about his work restoring a bike from the very first race back in 1907. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The restoration has taken many months and the plan had been to have one of the top local riders ride the bike in a parade lap before putting it on public display in the town... oh well, there's always next year!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Closer look at the bike (very loosely based on the 1907 Norton which won the first ever TT race) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr "Vintage" pic from back in the day!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As with other recent updates, this is based on local events (I'm really missing the motorcycle races and all the associated entertainment!). The vintage bike MOD also has an interesting backstory. Just before Christmas, the museum here got in contact with a group of local LEGO builders and asked us if we'd build some small TT based models (about 8x8 studs). The idea was to hide them among the exhibits to create a sort of scavenger hunt for visitors to the museum. The bike was one of about half a dozen builds I'd put together before everything got cancelled!! Oh well, there's always next year!! More pics of the bike itself in this thread. Thanks for looking! Edited June 7, 2020 by greg3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted June 13, 2020 (edited) A bit of drama this week as a fire breaks out near the mine... of course the news crew are there to record events! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The fire seems to have started when sparks from a rock cutting tool ignited vegetation on the cliffside. Despite the miners' efforts to extinguish it, it flames quickly spread up to the mountaintop. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Luckily the local fire brigade were soon on hand, quickly getting the fire near the mine under control. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The mountain top blaze is proving more of a challenge but has provided the perfect opportunity to try out the unit's latest technology... a fire fighting drone. Modified from the standard observation drone used to monitor/track fires, it can now carry a hose allowing it to fight fires from above. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Controlled via remote control, the drone is supplied with water from the ground allowing it to remain on station much longer than a conventional helicopter. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr With the help of this technology, the fire is soon brought under control before it could spread too far. The idea for this update came from watching the local fire brigade dealing with a grass fire on a nearby cliff. (although they didn't have the fancy drone... that was based on a picture I found online of an experimental fire fighting drone!) I also thought it was about time the Ballabreek Fire Brigade actually did some fire fighting!! A few more pics of the whole scene... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking!! Comments always welcome. Edited June 14, 2020 by greg3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gotoAndLego Posted June 14, 2020 (edited) Your bike is very good and nicely put together, did you use cut pieces of tube for the axles? When next I come over to see the TT or MGP, maybe a year or two from now, I'd love to meet up with you. Edited June 14, 2020 by gotoAndLego Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted July 4, 2020 On 6/14/2020 at 4:04 PM, gotoAndLego said: Your bike is very good and nicely put together, did you use cut pieces of tube for the axles? When next I come over to see the TT or MGP, maybe a year or two from now, I'd love to meet up with you. Thanks for the comment... the bike does use cut flex tube for the axles and in a couple of other places (I use it in so many of my MOCs that I like to think of flex tube as the Lego version of Duck Tape!!). For this update (I've missed a few as I've been busy with work!) life in Ballabreek (just like the real Isle of Man) is back to normal and our favourite news crew are reporting on the opening of a new area in the park. The sensory garden has been designed to stimulate all the senses and be as accessible as possible as is being officially opened by the mayor... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr "I declare this garden open..." Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Now the new crews can have a look around the garden and interview some of the first visitors... (they seem to be enjoying it!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This is my entry into the Eurobricks Flower Show competition - I chose this garden design mainly because I was lacking plant/flower pieces but also because i thought that after the last few months, the people of Ballabreek might need a bit of colour in their lives!! (I had planned on this being just a temporary addition to the town but now it's done I quite like it!!) More photos and info about the build are in this topic As always, thanks for looking... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg3 Posted July 11, 2020 (edited) Now known as a modern, zero-emission transit system, Ballabreek's tram network was first built back in the 1800s as a steam railway. Today, the news team are reporting on a project to bring this past back to life as a newly restored steam engine gets its first public outing. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The engine (no. 7810) last ran 40 years ago when the railway line was closed (it remained closed for several decades before being redeveloped over the last few years to run modern electric trams) Since then it has lain forgotten and rusting away, until some local minifigs began work to restore it to its former glory. Now fully restored, it's going to be run occasionally as a visitor attraction - taking people on short trips using the original Victorian era open carriages. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr While the passengers board, the reporter interviews the engine driver (also the man behind the project) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr He explains he has more plans to bring Ballabreek's transport history back to life (watch this space!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Well, I finally got around to building the 40th anniversary train set (40370) which was a GWP a few months ago. As a kid I loved the look of the trains sets but never actually got any so adding this to Ballabreek just had to be done!! The carriage is made using online instructions of one of the alternate builds for vintage set 7818 (modified to match the design of 40370). I chose this version because I don't have the train doors/windows needed for a proper vintage looking enclosed carriage (and this one looks similar to the open carriages used on the Victorian Era electric railway that still operates here in real life) Finally an overview of the scene... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking... More pics of the train itself are in this thread Edited July 11, 2020 by greg3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fenghuang0296 Posted July 12, 2020 Cute! I love the smoke you added to the funnel! Might do that on my own 40th Anniversary train. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
