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This is the first part of a series charting the history of Skull Rock - a location off the coast of my LEGO town. A 10th century priest, Cuthbert took a vow of solitude and spent 27 years living on what would become Skull Rock. During his time as a hermit, he carved the giant skull into the rock (the skull being a Christian symbol at the time due to its association with the site of the crucifixion... Golgotha - the place of skulls) and erected a giant wooden cross on top of which was a platform that he’d remain to meditate for weeks at a time. He also constructed a simple shelter to give some protection from the elements. Unfortunately, Cuthbert met a grisly end when he was murdered by Viking raiders. It’s said that after being decapitated, his body picked up his severed head and threw into the sea. It washed up on the nearby beach still shouting a warning to the locals about the raiders. Whether true or not, the story led to Cuthbert being declared a saint and his head was kept in the local church where it was said that it would shout a warning if the town was ever in danger!! Sadly, the reliquary was stolen in the 1920s but it's said that Cuthbert's ghost still haunts the rock!! As you can probably tell I've just got the Scooby Doo Lighthouse and decided to make up a bit of a background story for it!! Thanks for looking. Part 2 - http://www.eurobrick...howtopic=113395 Part 3 - http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113396 Part 4 - http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113397

As promised, the rest of the update!! After a short boat journey the visitors arrive at their destination... "Skull Rock"!! Now, a small rocky islet may seem to be a strange place to visit but Skull Rock has become an important part of Ballabreek's history over the years and a new museum has been set up to tell its fascinating story. The first exhibit depicts smugglers concealing their contraband on the rock. In the 17th Century Ballabreek was the centre of a thriving smuggling operation and enterprising smugglers dug out caves within the rock to store their illicit cargo before transferring it to shore. (It's said that at the time, just about everyone living in Ballabreek had some involvement in smuggling before a Government crackdown all but stamped it out in the mid 1700s) Next, we see a cannon dating back to the Napoleonic Period, a time when the local people lived in fear of a French invasion. Orders went out to guard any potential landing site and as this included Ballabreek beach, a small lookout post was constructed on Skull Rock. Guarding the approach to the beach it was manned by the local militia and armed with a single cannon. The most prominent feature of Skull Rock today is the lighthouse. Built in the 1860s following a number of shipwrecks in the area, it was manned up until the 1960s and finally decommissioned in 1992. A local history group have recently restored it to how it would have looked at the end of the 1800s. The ground floor was used for storage and was where the lighthouse keeper would have prepared meals. Upstairs is a workspace with a desk. Here the keeper would write up his hourly logs and weather reports. It's also where he'd sleep on a hammock suspended from the wall brackets. The personal effects here tell the story of the most famous of Ballabreek's lighthouse keepers. In 1899, lighthouse keeper William Dawson single-handedly saved 12 lives when a steamer ran aground on a nearby rock. For his heroism, he was awarded a gold medal and a silver pocket watch (presented in person by the King). Sadly, just 3 months later, William disappeared while on duty. His body was never found (just his bloodstained cap floating nearby) and although there have been many theories as to what happened to him, the mystery has never been solved. The top of the lighthouse has been turned into an observation deck. From here, you not only get a fantastic view of Ballabreek and the surrounding coast but also the chance to spot marine wildlife such as dolphins, seals and even the occasional basking shark or whale!! The final exhibit is not for the faint-hearted (or claustrophobic!) as it involves crawling through the tunnel/cave within the rock. Originally carved out by the smugglers and later used as a storage space for the lookout post and lighthouse, the cave now houses the reliquary of St Cuthbert the Headless!! A 10th century priest, Cuthbert took a vow of solitude and spent 27 years living on what would become Skull Rock. During his time as a hermit, he carved the giant skull into the rock (the skull being a Christian symbol at the time due to its association with the site of the crucifixion) and erected a giant wooden cross on top of which was a platform that he’d remain to meditate for weeks at a time. Unfortunately, Cuthbert met a grisly end when he was murdered by Viking raiders. It’s said that after being decapitated, his body picked up his severed head and threw into the sea. It washed up on Ballabreek beach still shouting a warning to the locals about the raiders. Whether true or not, the story led to Cuthbert being declared a saint and his head was kept in the local church until it was stolen in the 1920s. The reliquary you see here is a replica. So there you have it, the history of Skull Rock!! Hope you enjoyed it (I’ve certainly had fun thinking up the various stories - many of which are loosely based on local tales/legends I’ve come across) As always thanks for looking - and if you want to know more about the history of skull rock, then I'm creating a topic for each period to go in the relevant sections of EB. Links to follow... St Cuthbert - http://www.eurobrick...92#entry2298902 Smugglers - http://www.eurobrick...howtopic=113395 Napoleonic Defence - http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113396 The Lighthouse - http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113397

Thanks for the comment... I can't take too much credit for the boat as it's just the dive boat from the official marina set from a few years back (all I did was MOD the front bit to add more seats in order to make it into more of a tour boat)

Thanks for the comments... here's a "mini update" while I'm waiting for parts to finish off Ballabreek's latest tourist attraction!! The new tourist attraction is actually located a mile or so offshore so we'll need a boat to visit it. Here a group of visitors are boarding their craft... image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr Off we go... but to where? image by g.nat, on Flickr A final pic to show the new boat jetty which has been built to allow small boats (dinghies, RIBs, jet skis etc) to drop off passengers without using the beach. It's hoped that it'll attract visitors from some of the pleasure cruisers and yachts that ply the local waters. The feasibility of enlarging/adapt the structure to operate a ferry is also being looked into (possibly to start next year?) image by g.nat, on Flickr Anyway, thanks for looking... hopefully the rest of the update will be done by the weekend!! Cheers

Thanks for the comments.... No he's not faceless... Just looking the other way!! Although "faceless children" could make for an interesting story idea!! (Call the Ghostbusters, a Timelord... or a certain group of "meddling kids"!!) Yes, most of the recently closed post offices here have been replaced by counters in nearby shops. As for keeping the building? They could have, but they're a "Nasty global corporation" so they didn't!!! Anyway, more updates coming soon so watch this space...

This quick update shows the latest improvements to be made to the area around the tram stop... controversial improvements!! The village post office had been one of the oldest buildings in Ballabreek (in fact every lego town I've built since the mid 80's has featured a version of set 6689!!) but following Postal Service restructuring (and cost cutting) it was decided to close it down. Despite protests by the local minifigs, the plan went ahead. The building was demolished and the land sold to a well known "Coffee Chain". Now the locals can grab a cup of overpriced coffee, and read the paper while they wait for the tram!! image by g.nat, on Flickr Catching up on the latest gossip... apparently there are rumours that a major toy manufacturer is planning to open a retail store in Ballabreek!! image by g.nat, on Flickr I have to admit that I was in 2 minds about this change (as I really do have a soft spot for the little post office) but I wanted to use the new sets and with several local post offices being closed where I live (despite various protests), it seemed like the sort of thing that could realistically happen in a small village like Ballabreek. Anyway, thanks for looking and comments are welcome as always!!

Clever idea, nicely executed!! I really like the pirate ship!! Have you thought about adding some colour though? Most playgrounds near me (especially in urban areas) are brightly coloured. Thanks for sharing.

Nice little build... The 1 x 1 round plates might be a pain to use but they're very effective and create a real sense of movement. Thanks for sharing!!

That's really nice!! I especially like the details on the ground floor and the elevator (a modern addition?). Are you going to add an interior? (I think you should!) Excellent work!!

Very nice!! The exterior is definitely eye catching with those columns but it's the interior I'm liking the most. Great selection of exhibits and that staircase is fantastic!! Excellent work!!

I'm guessing the official release date is August 1st, although my local toy shop "Toymaster" in the UK were putting them on the shelves today (I got the Mystery Machine and the Mummy set)

Cool looking build. Love the graffiti artist and the exterior detail. Can't help thinking that the ground floor is a bit low... In my opinion it'd look better being as high as the first floor. Still a nice addition to your layout though - nice work!!

Thanks for the comments.... I've got some ideas for a replacement for the burnt down shed - but for now the attention is on the redevelopment of the tram stop to cater for the new longer trams being introduced. image by g.nat, on Flickr As you can see, the platform has been lengthened and a new shelter including automated ticket machines has been constructed. image by g.nat, on Flickr Here's the tram... image by g.nat, on Flickr You might have noticed that I've removed the pantograph of the roof. It's always bugged me that I've never been able to come up with a decent overhead "electrical wire" system for the official trams so I did a bit of Googling and came across the Stud Contact System which was used in the early 1900s to supply power to trams from ground level. The system consisted of power supply studs set into the ground between the tracks. As a tram passed over a stud, a magnet in the tram activated a switch in the stud making it live. A skid-like collector below the tram then transferred the power to the motors. Once the tram had passed, gravity caused the switch to open and cut the power to the stud. Unfortunately, the technology of the time proved unreliable and studs would fail to activate (resulting in the passengers having to get off and push the tram to the next stud!) or worse, they would remain live once a tram had passed (at least 1 cart horse is known to have been electrocuted by a live stud!!) I figure that modern technology could make the system work and so the line through Ballabreek is trying it out. (In fact the technology is being used in parts of France. In this case a third rail is used, sections of which become live in response to a radio signal as a tram passes. I decided to stick with the studs though.. far more appropriate to LEGO!!) An aerial view shows the studs (placed so that at least one is always under the tram) You can also see that rather than the original single access point to the platform there are now 3. The centre one leads to the park/shops, the right hand one to the beach and the left hand one to the countryside (via a crossing point over the track) image by g.nat, on Flickr This is just the first of the new additions I'll be making to the village over the next few weeks as a) I'm off work and b) I have a stack of new sets to put together and add!! Thanks for looking and as always comments are more than welcome...

Lovely little shop... Nice design - simple but elegant. I like the interior too (the little black stool(?) is especially nice) Thanks for sharing.

Fantastic looking stuff (if only it could became a real set!!) I especially like the way you've done the command module and lander. Excellent work and thanks for sharing!!

Fantastic stuff!! I really like the architectural details and of course the monorail!! Excellent work!!

Weird!!! But also rather cool!! I especially like the way you've managed to design the mechanical parts around the bear. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful work!! I love so much about it, in particular; the roof design, the attention to detail (for some reason I especially like the water pump out back!!) and the huge variety of parts you've used. It really does look like the sort of place you could imagine people living/working in! Excellent stuff!!

Excellent creation!! Looks a lot like a park near to where I live (it has a carousel, boating lake etc) I especially like all the little details you've added - they really bring the scene to life perfectly! Nice work!

Excellent selection of animals!! (Clever use of the Chima heads too) I'm sure your jungle will look great - hope we get to see it!! Nice work!

This week sees the start of work to regenerate parts the village (following my purchase of a number of new sets!!). First the old burnt out storage shed near the mine needed demolishing... for this the Demolition Company brought in "The Smasher"!! image[/url] by g.nat"]https://www.flickr.c...4167@N05/]g.nat[/url], on Flickr image[/url] by g.nat"]https://www.flickr.c...4167@N05/]g.nat[/url], on Flickr image[/url] by g.nat"]https://www.flickr.c...4167@N05/]g.nat[/url], on Flickr image[/url] by g.nat"]https://www.flickr.c...4167@N05/]g.nat[/url], on Flickr As you can probably tell, this is actually a MOD'd Ultra Agent villain vehicle and was going to be used in the latest chapter of my Ultra Agents Comic. (the "Smasher" was to play a major role in the latest instalment but changes to the story saw it cut!! It may feature in another episode though!!) You can view the comic here http://www.eurobrick...28#entry2234923 Thanks for looking... look out for more changes to the village coming soon!!!

Thanks for all the comments so far. Here’s the next instalment... Part 4: The Origin of Tremor [/url]Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr [/url] by g.nat, on Flickr

Stunning looking layout!! I love how you've included such a wide range of areas/terrain. Looking forward to seeing more!!

This is fantastic... The amount of detail is just stunning. Great use of the various animals!! (I hope someone at LEGO has seen this and maybe we'll get zoo/safari sets sometime soon!!) Excellent work!!

Great designs so far (and I love the polybag challenge idea) Looking forward to seeing more!!