greg3

I got this book today too and noticed the same things!! It also gives the names and backgrounds to many of the rebel soldiers too including at least 3 of the 4 rebels in the battle pack - you can easily match them up by uniform details and facial hair!! (I had assumed they were just "generic rebel soldiers"!) The book is a fascinating read and It's background details like this that I love about Star Wars!!

It might be nearly Christmas, but the police of Ballabreek are still hard at work... Today they're investigating a break-in at the Space Research Centre. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It seems that last night a lone individual broke into the centre via a rooftop air vent. Obviously a well equipped and professional burglar, he deactivated the sophisticated security systems and managed to download a number of computer files before escaping. The only clues to the perpetrator's identity are a few images taken from the security cameras before they were disabled... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It's not yet known exactly what information was taken or why, but investigations are continuing!! That's another CMF figure used (3 more to go!!) It's also a lead in to a story idea I have which will hopefully make use of the upcoming Lego Batman movie figs - here's a sneak preview!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking!! Hopefully the next update will get us back into the Christmas spirit!!

No decorated shops I'm afraid but the locals have now got a temporary ice rink to keep them entertained... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Queuing for tickets!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Get your skates on!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Fun on the ice!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Penguin themed skating aids help beginners (our local rink uses similar aids that have become social media stars having been given names and photographed in random locations around the island!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Some people might recall seeing a rink in Ballabreek 2 years ago. Unfortunately, last year, funding to run the rink dried up but this year a businessman has stepped in to sponsor the rink, here he's being interviewed for local radio. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks to his generosity, Oswald Cobblepot (or "Mr Penguin" as he's been christened by the locals) has become a local celebrity. However, rumours are beginning to surface that he might have links to organised crime (of course he strenuously denies all such accusations!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So is Mr Cobblepot up to no good or simply a generous man helping out the local community? Watch this space to find out!! Thanks for looking... comments always welcome!!

Thanks for the comments... following last week's rather "bloodthirsty" instalment, this update sees the good people of Ballabreek getting into the Christmas spirit!! The park has become the focus of the seasonal celebrations Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Of course there's the traditional tree... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr But this year's centrepiece is a large scale gingerbread house - the work of a group of local artists. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Musical entertainment is being provided by the "Merry"achis - performing traditional carols with a Mexican twist!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Also wowing the crowds is another local artist/ice sculptor - the "Ice Queen" Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr She prides herself on creating her work without using powered tools!! (and yes, her sculpture is real ice - finally found a use for my mini figure ice mould!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So there we have it, 2 more Series 16 CMFs used (only 4 to go!!) and Christmas has finally come to Ballabreek. More festive events are planned for the next few days so watch this space!! Thanks for looking!!

In this update we commemorate one of Ballabreek’s greatest historical characters, Sir Dunnal. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Who? You may ask, well this is his story... It’s December 1316 and the people of the tiny settlement that would later become Ballabreek were living in fear. A violent band of outlaws calling themselves the Wolfpack had been terrorising the area for months: stealing winter food stores and killing/abusing the locals. Among those locals was Sir Dunnal, an elderly knight who one served in the king’s guard and was now living out his retirement in the village. When his daughter becomes one of the Wolfpack’s victims, he vows to do something about it. At first, he tried to convince the local villagers to stand up to the outlaws but they were too afraid and refused. As a result, when the Wolfpack returned to the village on 10th December 1316 they were met by a single elderly knight, wearing his old battered helmet and shield but holding a well cared for sword. Barely able to suppress their laughter at the sight, the outlaws attacked. What followed was described by observers as a dazzling display of swordsmanship as the old man killed 8 of the outlaws in minutes. However, their numbers began to tell and soon the valiant knight was brought to his knees, wounded but still spitting defiance. As the leader of the outlaws stepped forward to finish him off, the villagers finally found their courage and poured out of their hiding places. Armed with whatever was to hand, they set about the outlaws. Seeing his chance, Sir Dunnal launched himself at the Wolfpack leader plunging his sword into the rouge’s heart and ending the Wolfpack’s reign of terror for ever - but at a cost... Mortally wounded, the brave knight was carried to the local chapel where he died the next day. His last words were said to be a reminder to the villagers that “With courage anything is possible” (now the town motto) and a final promise to return should the village ever be in danger. He was laid to rest in the church on Christmas Day 1316. With this year marking the 700th anniversary of these events, the final battle is reenacted in the park - under the watchful gaze of a recently commissioned statue of Sir Dunnal - the golden wings symbolising his vow to protect the village. Here are a few pics of the event. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The reenactment has proved very popular among the locals.. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The peasants setting about the outlaws with whatever they could find (household/farming implements, and even sticks and stones). Don't worry, the re-enactors are all highly skilled and well trained so no-one got hurt - don't try this at home!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Sir Dunnal getting his revenge!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can guess, this was just a way of using another of the recent CMFs!! (and an explanation for the fountain statue!!) Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome!!

Hi Here's my entry.... Doctor Who and the Snow Angel!! Not even Timelords can resist playing in the snow. Although, once he's finished being creative manipulating snow molecules with his sonic screwdriver, The Doctor really needs to sort out K-9's embarrassing coolant leak!! (who can resist a yellow snow joke!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks to CopMike for organising this again!!

Hi - I guess you're talking about the roadside milestones we have? Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Well I hadn't planned on including one but after your comment and a quick rummage through the spares box I've changed my mind!! Unfortunately, as you can see it's not looking it's best after being hit by a car!! The driver failed to stop and the Ballabreek police are investigating... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The workman is deciding how best to repair the damage (unfortunately he's going to have to wait for parts... the white 2x1 double slope isn't easy to find!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr In other "news" a local entrepreneur is publicising a new business - the Banana Co (supplies of banana based products.) Today he's out in the park giving away free samples... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Bob the Banana (the healthy eating mascot!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As well as the raw fruit, the company also sells other banana based products (Banana cakes, chips, bread, etc) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Handing out information leaflets... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can tell, this was just a way to use up another CMF figure!! 7 left to do!! Anyway thanks for looking.... Comments always welcomed

I love museums and this is a great example of one!! It looks like it could be based on a real building... I really like the stained glass window and the skylights. The interior looks great too!! Excellent work!!

Very nice!! Like the previous poster I have mixed views on Friends.... for me it's not so much the colours as the minidolls!! But minidolls or not, this is a real work of art - the colours really work and I especially like the curved sea wall and the large building at the top of the steps!! Excellent stuff!!

What an amazing build!! I love all the little details (the workers and their scaffolding is a nice touch) The interior looks stunning too... I'd also like to see more of the exhibits!! If I was a minifigure I could up imagine spending hours in there!!! Thanks for sharing!!

Another update.... With yesterday being Armistice Day, the people of Ballabreek took a break from their busy lives to pause and remember the fallen... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Selling poppies... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It was also the perfect time to rededicate the town's War Memorial in its new location (after being moved from the park a few months ago) A simple wreath laying ceremony took place carried out by the town's oldest war veteran and their youngest (and first female) currently serving member of the armed forces. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr There was also a visit from a vintage World War 1 tank. Ironically this very tank once visited Ballabreek back in 1917 as part of a tour to raise money for the war! Now restored and renamed, "Poppy" travels around raising money for veteran's charities. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Unfortunately, I can't take any credit for the awesome tank design... I found the instructions for it on Youtube. I actually built it for a display at the school where I work but thought it might like to visit Ballabreek!! At first I wasn't sure about the new location for the War Memorial but it seems to work!! Anyway, thanks for looking... comments always welcome!!

A quick Halloween (or Hop-tu-naa as it's called here) update.... now what could have scared the trick or treaters? Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Oh the horror!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Not quite as scary with the lights on though... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can tell, this was an experiment in using a UV blacklight (I love the way certain bricks glow under it!!)... and a way to use another couple of CMFs!! Thanks for looking - comments always welcome!!

Very cool!! The float designs are perfect but I especially like the giant skeleton puppet!! Excellent work!!

Well it seems that the good people of Ballabreek don't share my dislike of talent shows because this week they've set up a temporary stage so they can strut their stuff!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Fortunately though, it does allow me to use another couple of series 16 CMfs!! After a week of competition, the winner of the children's class is.... Penny the Penguin (and her mascot) singing Happy Feet... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The adult competition was won by... Frank (the owner/trainer of Dave the Dancing Dog!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr That's 6 CMFs used now (I could have used more on the stage but I fancy a challenge!!!) Anyway, thanks for looking!!

Very nice!! I think my favourite is the tan building... Love the arches and the roof especially!! Now I'm inspired to have a go at miniscale building myself!! Thanks for sharing!!

Hi After seeing the Doctor Strange movie last night (and very good it was too!!) I picked up the Sanctum Sanctorum set and set about incorporating it into my small town. I decided to combine it with the corner deli set - as I'd been planning to MOC the upper floor to make more room and here's the result... (hope this is the right place to post it - it's based on a licensed set but it's actually for my town) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Interior... the ground floor is a gem store (called "M's Gems" it's going to replace a simpler gem store already in my town) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Upstairs is a "Mini Sanctum Sanctorum" I think Doctor Strange would have several of these hidden around the world as places to rest (and as a refuge in an emergency) I do have a proper story to explain why and how he ended up in my small town - just waiting for parts and then I might post the story!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The Doctor can enter and leave using portals... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Final couple of pics to show how the building opens up (it wasn't easy to get the skylight to work!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I'm pretty pleased with how it came out, although I may still tweak a few things... I'd like to have somewhere for the cloak of levitation to "hang out"!! Once I fit it into my town, I'll post some more pics!! Anyway, comments are always welcome... and thanks for looking!!

Following from my last topic The Knapp Roller Ship I thought I'd tackle another experimental ship from the late 1800s... The Ernest Bazin. Named after it's inventor, the ship (like the Knapp ship) was an attempt to improve the speed, efficiency and comfort of sea travel by reducing the amount of the hull in contact with the water. Bazin's solution was to have a large platform which sat on several pairs of large hollow lenticular discs. Propulsion was provided by a conventional screw propellor and separate engines rotated the discs which according to Bazin's experiments would eventually allow the ship to reach speeds of up to 60mph!! The prototype was launched from Saint Denis in 1896. It had 3 pairs of discs, each 10m in diameter and 3m thick which supported a platform 40m by 12m carrying the engines and crew quarters. The ship crossed the English Channel and then travelled around the British coast visiting several ports. Unfortunately, the vessel's performance failed to live up to the predictions - mainly because it's engines proved to be underpowered, a situation made worse by the weight of water each wheel lifted as it rotated. Eventually, it ended up moored on the Thames as a visitor attraction before being scrapped!! In 1898, Basin claimed to have solved the design issues and began planning a much larger transatlantic liner which would run on 4 pairs of discs - unfortunately he died just a few weeks later and the idea of ships on discs died with him... Ref. pic Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr My version - Turned out to be a lot harder than I thought it'd be but I'm pretty pleased with the end result. It's a combination of photos of the actual vessel and drawings/paintings (which seem to show it with a raised wheelhouse above the bridge) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you see I had trouble with having the main structure studs down and the superstructure studs up... the only thing holding it together is the rigging!! (works pretty well though!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Front view Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Rear view - contemporary descriptions say that Bazin had used a directional water jet in place of a conventional rudder (but I couldn't find any reference pics so i just made something up!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr All at sea... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking....

"Robot Overlords" a 2014 Independent British Sci-Fi movie starring Ben Kingsley and Gillian Anderson. Got fairly average reviews and pretty much went straight to DVD but I thought it was OK (one review described as a sweary episode of Doctor Who!!) The best thing about it though was that part of it was filmed at the end of my street!!! So weird to see giant CGI killer robot spider things crawling over the roof of a nearby hotel!!

Wow!! That looks brilliant - a real work of art!! Well done!!

That looks great!! I really like the look of that paving on the path!! The boat looks great too!! Nice work!!

I stumbled across an online photo of this strange vessel while looking for something else and couldn't resist "immortalising" it in Lego... but first a bit of background info!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Frederick Knapp was a Canadian lawyer who, while enduring a particularly rough transatlantic crossing in 1892, began to wonder if it was time to rethink the shape of ships!! His idea was to have ships travel on top of the waves rather than have to plough through them - this, he believed would improve speed, efficiency and comfort. Basing his idea on logs rolling down a river, he proposed a hollow, cylindrical hull with rails around the inside on which sat a wheeled platform for the passengers and cargo. Steam engines would propel the platform around the rails but as it was much heavier than the hull, the platform would stay still and the hull rotate (like a hamster in a wheel!!). Paddle blades on the cylinder would propel the ship at speeds up to 60mph (100 kph!!!) - or so Knapp claimed!! Securing funding of $25,000 he had the Polson Iron Works Co of Toronto build a 34 metre long, 7-metre diameter test vessel to trail in Toronto Harbour. The first powered voyage took place on October 21st 1897 watched by a huge crowd. The ship managed several slow loops of the harbour and Knapp declared it a success, although it was clear that the predicted speeds were highly unrealistic!! Still brimming with confidence, Knapp improved the vessel - extending the paddle blades to cover the length of the cylinder (the test version only had them on the centre section) managing to increase the speed slightly (to about 7mph!!). He then proposed a series of larger vessels (including a troop carrying version for the Army) but while the ship was travelling to a new dockyard for modifications, it suffered engine problems and ran aground. By the time it was refloated and repaired, Knapp's backers had got tired of waiting and funds were drying up so the ship was put into use as a passenger ferry on the St Lawrence River. After running aground again it was taken out off service and spent several years tied up on the Toronto waterfront. By 1907, ten years after it's first voyage, Knapp finally gave up on this design (probably after finally realising that ships sail pointy bit first for good reason!) and began work to convert the roller ship into a conventional coal barge. The rolling mechanism and paddle blades were removed, streamlined "nosecones" were added to each end and a raised wheelhouse added to one end and a conventional screw propellor fitted to the other. However while the work was being carried out, the ship broke free during a storm collided with another ship and ran aground. Unable to pay to salvage the craft, and having been successfully sued by the owners of the ship damaged in the collision, Knapp had to sell the craft for scrap. Unfortunately, the new owners didn't seem to know what to do with the ship, so it was left stranded on the mud of the Toronto waterfront until 1933 when it was simply used as infill for a building project. Apparently the ship is still there, buried somewhere in the city!! My version... (according to contemporary accounts the ship should be bright red but I didn't have the parts!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Close up of the paddle blades. One of the problems of the actual ship was that water would remain on the blades as they exited the water, adding weight and slowing it down. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The platforms, steam engine exhausts and rudders. Like the original, the ends of the hull are open (this was to provide ventilation but ended up letting in water in rough weather - adding weight and wetting the coal) The helmsman/men would stand on the open air platforms. I'm not entirely happy with my version of the rudders - photos show that the rudders were hinged boards on either side that I presume could be locked in place one at a time to turn the ship in that direction. From all accounts they didn't work very well!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The ship at sea!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A few behind the scenes pics... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I have to say that I love these mad bits of forgotten history and really enjoyed the challenge of building this!! It also turns out that Knapp wasn't the only one building weird ships in the late 1800s but that's a story for another day (once my next Bricklink order arrives!!) Thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!!

Just spotted the Rogue One sets on the shelves at my local Toymaster (UK) They had all the sets except the AT-ST so I picked up the Hovertank and U-Wing. Love the Hovertank and have already MODed it so the top hatch opens more realistically. See here Haven't built the U-Wing yet but I'm already looking forward to it!!

Hi I was delighted to see my local toyshop (Toymaster in the UK) had the new Rogue One sets on the shelves (All except the AT-ST) so I picked up the Hovertank and U-Wing. Having already built the Hovertank my mind's full of possible MODs - like real life armoured vehicles I can picture variants such as; troop carrier, command post, medical, artillery, anti-aircraft etc but first off I wanted to see if I could get the top hatch to open so the commander could look out. Took about 5 mins to come up with this... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It's not perfect (if only they still made the old opening vehicle roof 4x4 hinge plates!!) and it makes it a bit trickier to get the figures in and out but for now it does the trick!! The figure also has to stand on a 1x2 brick to see out (he's obviously a little short to be a stormtrooper!!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Anyway, thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!!

Avast me hearties!! Today is "International Talk Like a Pirate Day" and the perfect opportunity to use a couple more of the recent CMFs in my town!! To mark the day, a group of local minifigs have arranged a sponsored cannon pull through the village centre to raise money for charity... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr While 2 of the "crew" pull the cannon, the captain "encourages" the spectators to donate to their worthy cause!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The cannon itself has been raised from a shipwreck by the local diving club.. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking... that's 4 series 16 CMFs down 12 to go!!

Thanks!! And here's the next CMF to "star" in Ballabreek.... the town's latest sporting hero!! Often spotted around town spending every moment of her spare time training Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Pushing herself to her limits and beyond... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The results of all this effort.... Olympic Gold!! Here we see her triumphant return to the village after Rio 2016 Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can see, the last pic made use of the village's Heliport!! First shown a few months ago and located on the outskirts of the village, it's now fully operational and in daily use!! here's a few more pics of it... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking... anyone want to guess which Series 16 CMF will be next!!!