greg3

Love the interiors of this one and the exterior design is instantly recognizable as being a canal house. At first I was less sure about the exterior colour though (especially in that first pic but that might just be because of the black background) but it's growing on me!!

Great looking building. An interesting exterior with the clock tower and the overhanging first floor and a nice mix of shops sharing the same building (just like they might in real life) I love the music shop signage and I especially like the book shop interior. Excellent work!!

Hi Here's a MOC I created of a Flyboard (a device which uses jets of water to allow a rider to fly, hover and perform tricks.) I've had the idea ever since watching one in operation near my local harbour last summer (it does look like great fun!!) but I've only recently found a combination of parts that seemed to work... The rider's feet are strapped to the board which in turn is connected to the propulsion system of a Jet Ski or other personal water craft (PWC) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The PWC operator controls the amount of thrust the board produces. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The board can reach heights of up to 15m Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I think the design has worked out quite well... just need to find the "nozzle" part in black rather than grey (and the yellow "tooth" parts should be red) Anyway, thanks for looking... comments are always welcome

Great buildings... The exteriors look fantastic (I especially like the design of the modern building with the "pod" bedroom) but it's the interiors that I really like.... Great idea to incorporate the Kwik-e-Mart and Big Bang Theory set but it's the FOOLOO room that made me smile - excellent idea!!! Might have to start a branch in my town!! Excellent work!!

Following on from the last update, work has been going on to turn Ballabreek's beach into a usable harbour area. The area has been dredged and a small seawall and slipway constructed. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr While this has meant the loss of the beach, it does mean that it's now easier to visit the village by sea. The slipway also allows the launching of boats and is currently being trialled by the emergency services - here the fire brigade try out their new inshore hovercraft. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Locals and visitors can still use the area for recreation as the swimming area now has a pumping/filtration system to ensure the water is clean. A small sandy area outside the cafe is popular with families/children. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The area's nautical history is commemorated with a monument made from the anchor raised from a nearby shipwreck (don't think I've ever visited a seaside town that hasn't had an anchor on display somewhere!! ) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I have to admit to really liking the original beach but with many of the official sets of the last few years having a nautical element I decided that a harbour would let me fit more of them into my display. It's still a bit of a WIP - certainly need to do something about the rock/pumping station (might replace the moulded rock piece with a smaller brick built structure) Anyway, thanks for looking... Feedback/comments are always welcome.

Nice!! I especially like the variety of textures/colours - the combination of stone, wood and then the purple roof work really well. The interior looks great too!! Thanks for sharing!!

They are fantastic builds!! Hard to choose a favourite they're all so good!! I really like the traditional looking style you've used.... I'd love to see them all put together!!! Looking forward to more!!

Nice work!! I like all the textures and detail you've got going on (such as the roof windows that seem partly boarded over) The boat ramp is a cool touch too - excellent stuff!!

Great looking "chippy" I especially like the range of food - makes my hungry just looking at it!! (Can't beat a chippy tea!!) Nice work!!

Cool looking bikes!! Love the clever use of tools and clips etc.... Think the chopper's my favourite (but I do like those themed versions!!) Might have a go at making my own!! Excellent stuff!!

Lovely looking build!! It especially like the covered loading dock and the enclosed staircase. Is there an interior? Nice work!!

That's really nice!! I especially like the way you've used tiles on the roof and the design of the interior details/furniture suit the basic design idea behind the original. Also, I had no idea what Usonian style was until I read this so I've learnt something!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Thanks for the comments... this week it's back to solving real life issues in the village, namely the problem of traffic!! Like many real life places around the world Ballabreek's roads are becoming ever more congested as the volume of traffic continues to increase. Ever larger vehicles aren't helping either, so the people of Ballabreek are looking for solutions.. last year saw the introduction of a modern tram system and now they're looking to the sea to help. Most of the traffic problems centre on a crossroads in the centre of the village where 2 main arterial routes meet. One suggested idea is to run a car ferry across the bay to allow cars to avoid this chokepoint and bypass the village centre. A potentially suitable vessel has been identified... "The Rose" Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The vessel is a cable ferry. Here you can see the single cable that it uses to pull itself along. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The stationary cable runs under the deck through a series of guide pulleys to a centrally mounted winch which pulls the boat along. Reversing the winch allows the boat to travel in either direction. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Here you can see the winch mechanism below the deck grating. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr One man can control the vessel from the wheelhouse Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr From here the direction and speed of the winch are controlled. Dual controls allow the vessel to be sailed just as easily in either direction. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The proposed crossing would take less than 20 minutes so passengers would probably remain in their vehicles but some protection from wind/spray is provided for those who'd rather enjoy the fresh air. In the event of an emergency there are several fire extinguishers. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can tell, I've been working on MODing the new ferry set. I'd experimented with a winch mechanism that would have actually moved the boat by turning a handle but I just couldn't get it to work reliably. Eventually I settled on this static solution which at least makes the boat look a bit more plausible. I also added a way to reach the wheelhouse and blocked up the gaps in the hull where possible. As for whether it'll really end up in Ballabreek? Well we'll have to see as it'd involve a pretty major redesign of the beach area... maybe adding a new slipway/ramp? (the rock/pumping station would have to go though!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Anyway, thanks for looking.... comments are always welcome!! Oh, and the boat is named after one of 3 conventional double ended steam ferries (Rose, Thistle and Shamrock) that operated near where I live during the early 20th century!!

This is a really nice build... such a great mix of techniques and designs in such a small space. I especially like the variety of wall and roof textures (and the fact it's a real family effort makes it even more impressive!!) Excellent work!!

What an amazing tree!! I love the house too... Especially all the little details (think the bird nest is my favourite!!) Excellent stuff!!

Thanks for the comments. I have to admit to preferring the open back style (I like exposed studs too!!) but with TLG seeming to be releasing mainly closed back buildings at the moment I thought I should try to make use of them!! Now, on with this weeks update... Good idea - in fact I had considered a studio but until we get some more official TV sets it'll have to wait. But the building is actually owned by a small Space Tech company!! The grass area at the front is still a WIP... might get model space rockets etc to put there or just benches etc (might see about using the upcoming polybag park statue/fountain set) but the building is now done!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The company focusses on developing and constructing cutting edge components for satellites, space probes and planetary exploration. As such, they employ some of the brightest scientific and engineering minds from around the world... most recently a group of (familiar looking!) young scientists from the California Institute of Technology. Let's see what they're up to... The first floor of the building is taken up with offices and labs. In this office, renowned theoretical physicist Dr Sheldon Cooper B.S. M.S. M.A. Ph.D Sc.D (OMG!) is working on the latest theories relating to dark matter (using data from subterranean detectors the company have set up in the neighbouring mine). Working with Dr Cooper (sorry, FOR Dr Cooper) is astrophysicist Dr Rajesh Koothrappali. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Next door to them, neurobiologist Dr Amy Farrah Fowler is carrying out research into the central nervous system of starfish. The company hope to use this research to create an AI program that would link physically independent exploration robots together wirelessly, allowing any one of them to take control of the others if it finds something of interest (in the same way that the arms of a starfish work... if that's not right, blame Wikipedia not me!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Most of the ground floor is taken up by a "clean room" where the company's hardware is assembled. The company's owner is keen to encourage the public to take an interest in science and space exploration so large windows allow people to see what they're working on. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Currently they are putting the finishing touches to a satellite due for launch later this year. It's designed to carry out a number of experiments and is the culmination of the work of several scientists... Here experimental physicist Dr Leonard Hofstadter is fitting the components to an experimental photomultiplier (a device intended to detect particles of dark matter). Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Meanwhile, microbiologist Dr Bernadette Rostenkowski prepares samples of bacteria which will be used to investigate the effect of cosmic radiation on cell division and DNA. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Alongside Drs Hofstadter and Rostenkowski is Mr Howard Wolowitz, the engineer responsible for designing and assembling the mechanical systems that will control the operation of the satellite's solar panels. (behind him you can see the double door airlock system used to keep the assembly room free from dust and other contamination.) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally we have the receptionist, Penny. An aspiring actress, to be honest she knows very little about the work going on in the building and is really only working there for the money and the free wifi she can use to browse for shoes!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally a couple of overviews of the building Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As you can tell I'm a bit of a Big Bang Theory fan and wanted to incorporate the Ideas set into my town (I also wanted to use some of the recent space sets too)... I hope you like it!! Thanks for looking and feel free to comment!!

Hi Thought I'd share a few pics of my current Doctor Who project... a Junk Tardis. Loosely based on the Tardis the 11th Doctor builds from the remains of other crashed Tardises in the episode the Doctor's Wife - (is it just me or does anyone else imagine the A-team music playing as he cobbles together a Tardis from scrap?) I think the actual tardis used in the show was the winning design in a children's competition to design a new tardis console!! Anyway, I've not come up with a backstory for my version yet - perhaps it was also made by the Doctor after loosing/becoming separated from his own Tardis somehow or maybe it belongs to another Time lord or time traveller a rival to the Doctor perhaps? The basic structure is done - essentially 3 walls, a floor and a console. Still need to get the correct colour bricks - might replace the red with dark red. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr With the roof beams removed, a better look at the console - which will probably be all white (needs some controls adding - already got plans for lots of levers, buttons etc) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Hope to get it finished in the next few weeks. In the meantime, thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!!

Well a new year can only mean one thing.... a new topic for my Lego village, Ballabreek. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr First a look at the new improved shopping/residential area. Those who've seen previous Ballabreek topics will know the the village was originally designed in the Classic Town style of open backed buildings (usually only 6 or 8 studs wide) but I've recently been experimenting with the creator style buildings and seeing if they can be fitted in. Issues of available space and my desire to keep the village's standard road plate layout created a few problems but here's the result... Main shopping street front - From left to right: Pizza place, gem store, bike repair shop, barbers. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Rear of shops/residential street - the one way street still retains 2 parking bays but at the cost of 2 small houses which had to be "demolished". However adding living space above the shops means those 2 houses have been replaced by three 1st floor apartments. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Close up of the new shops - the hairdresser has moved from above the pizza place and like the bike repair shop has now got larger premises with accommodation upstairs. (just need to reprint the signs!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The bike shop is the original creator set while I changed the cafe/restaurant into a barbers (and added more furniture to the upstairs apartment) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Upstairs kitchen - fridge, cooker, sink. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The 1st floor of the Pizza Shop is now more living space Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I'm quite pleased with how the changes have come out and will now look at adding more creator style buildings to Ballabreek (a deli perhaps?) - especially in the centre of the layout where open backs don't really look right. Still plan to keep the Classic style building for around the edges though... for example this new blue/white building near the mine which is just waiting for an interior... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr ..but what is it going to be? Any guesses? (it's not a car dealership!!) Watch this space to find out!! Thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!! (and Happy New Year!!)

My contribution... Decorate... Decorate... DECORATE!!!!! image by g.nat, on Flickr

Well I picked up the set from a local retailer (Toymaster in the UK) and the canopy definitely doesn't fit!! It certainly seems to be incorrectly molded - the fault seems to be at the rear of the canopy as it doesn't fit the shape of the 1x2 bricks properly (I can post pics if anyone wants to see) Anyway, I emailed Lego customer services and after asking for proof of purchase they're sending a replacement.

Thanks.... But I can't really claim the credit for the rock/cave (it's just the official Scooby Doo lighthouse set with a few MODs - I made the upper floor of the lighthouse a bit more realistic and connected the caves together) Cheers

The final part of my short series charting the history of "Skull Rock" from the 10th century to the modern day. This part focuses on the lighthouse. The "Skull Rock Light" was built in 1867 after a number of shipwrecks in the area claimed over 200 lives. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The small jetty... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Rear view... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Kitchen area and cellar for storage... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Lighthouse keeper's desk... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Brackets on the wall are for a hammock... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Cosy... zzzzzzz.... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Rescue equipment storage... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Rocket powered line throwing pistol (based on the real life Schermuly line throwing pistol) and rescue net... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr The lighthouse was eventually automated in 1968 and decommissioned in 1992. It's now operated as a museum for the minifigs in my Lego town. Thanks for looking... Part 1 - http://www.eurobrick...92#entry2298902 Part 2 - http://www.eurobrick...howtopic=113395 Part 3 - http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113396

Continuing my series of posts charting the history of Skull Rock (eventually to become home to the Scooby Doo Haunted Lighthouse). Back in the late 1700s, with the Napoleonic Wars raging, a French invasion was considered a real possibility and so defences began to spring up all along the coastline. As part of this network, a lookout post and gun position was placed on Skull Rock to protect the nearby beach. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It was manned by members of the local militia.. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr One of the old smuggler caves was used as a powder store. Barrels could be pulled up through a trapdoor. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A single cannon provided protection... not much use against a full on invasion but enough to send a warning to other coastal defences. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Final look... front and rear. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking... comments are always welcome. Part 1 - http://www.eurobrick...92#entry2298902 Part 2 - http://www.eurobrick...howtopic=113395 Part 4 - http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113397

That is brilliant!! The stone heads are instantly recognisable and the ship is very clever and with such detail on a small scale... simply wonderful!!

Having recently purchased the Scooby Doo lighthouse, I've been inspired to create a series of MODs to show the history of Skull Rock (now part of my LEGO town story) This is how the rock looked in the 17th/early18th century when it was used by smugglers... image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr Being just a mile or so offshore, the rock made a useful place for smugglers and pirates to store large amounts of goods before having them shipped to the beach. The smugglers themselves dug out the tunnel and caves in which their contraband could be hidden before it could be shipped to the beach. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The smugglers added basic wooden defences to protect themselves from rival groups and the forces of law and order!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Eventually the Government sent troops to put an end to this illicit trade but it's said that the ghost of at least one smuggler still haunts the rock, protecting treasure long since gone... Thanks for looking!! Comments are always welcome... Part 1- http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113392#entry2298902"]http://www.eurobrick...92#entry2298902 Part 3 - http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113396 Part 4 - http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113397