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Don't worry.. no puns this week!! Instead, a major police operation has been causing some disruption around the hospital... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So what was going on? Well to find out, check out the next part of my ongoing Batman story... Hidden Pasts Thanks for looking!!

Finally got around to Part 2 (unfortunately I had trouble with the Comic Life app I was using so lost a lot of the pics I'd already taken - I can't correct the various typos I've spotted in part 1 either!) Anyway, I've managed to cobble something together and here it is... hope you like it! image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking - comments are always welcome (hopefully the wait for part 3 shouldn't be so long!!)

Great use of the DUPLO part - it looks great!!

Lovely looking build!! You've really captured the art-deco feel and the interior details are spot on (i especially like the exterior details at the side and the floor design with the cheese slope zigzag pattern) Are there any room interiors? I might book a stay!! Nice work!

This weekend Ballabreek has been hosting its annual Easter Running Festival; a series of runs held over the Easter weekend. With the serious events out of the way, today sees Easter Fun-Run-Sunday and a chance for anyone to get involved. The race is a 2km fancy dress charity fun run beginning and ending at the fire station... here we see the runners preparing to get underway... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The entry field includes keen runners who "relish" the challenge... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Those who are just getting back into running - and may be feeling a bit "rusty" Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And the beginners who've never raced before and despite looking cheerful, are "bricking" themselves!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The one thing they all have in common though is the desire to finish with a good "time" Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The mayor herself is overseeing things and has handed over to the starter (and event sponsor) Mr Bruce Wayne... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr GO!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A short time later and all the runners are safely back and enjoying the post race festivities. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr All the runners get a free slice of pizza!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The warm Easter weather is good news for the ice cream seller... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr But less so for some of the runners... luckily there are medics on hand to help those who've pushed themselves a bit too hard and ended up "lion" down or feeling a bit "puft" (don't worry they were ok!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Of course even a fun race has winners and here we see Mr Wayne with the winner (whose performance was head and shoulders above the rest of the field) and the joint 2nd place runners ... yes it was a "draw" (don't worry I'll stop with the puns now!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Couple more pics... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This update was inspired by the real life Easter Festival of Running that is held annually where I live. I took part last year but injury put paid to entering this year so I thought my minifigs would benefit from a bit of exercise instead!! The real life event consists of a 4 mile hill run, 10k and 5k races held over 3 days... I added the fancy dress element to use up a few of the more unusual minifigs!! Anyway, thanks for looking... comment are always welcome!!

That is brilliant!! Did you know the real life version existed before you built it? (A quick Google has revealed that the real life version "The Cycloped" was actually built and was one of the locomotives that took part in the Rainhill trials alongside Stevenson's Rocket!! Unsurprisingly it was the first to drop out after the horse fell through the floor!!) Thanks for sharing!!

That looks very cool!! I especially like the Sanctum and Mirror Dimension (and the micro-helicarrier!!) Nice work!

Nice looking boats!! (Especially the pilot boat) I love sets based around harbours (as a kid I always wanted the official harbour sets such as 6542 but never got them) so I'm looking forward to seeing your version!! Thanks for sharing!!

Nice minfigs!! I've just seen the new movie (knowing nothing about Shazam) and it has me hooked so I've been looking up old stories etc. Your figs look pretty spot on - I especially like the Ibis!! Thanks for sharing!!

This weekend, the locals have been getting a glimpse of Ballabreek's ancient history: a prehistoric grave first discovered back in the 1930's by a local archaeologist. After discovering the stone lined grave in a nearby field, the bones and other artefacts were sent off to London for examination but when World War 2 broke out they were forgotten. Recently rediscovered in a museum storeroom, advanced forensic techniques have begun to unlock their secrets. While the bones themselves are still being studied, a replica of the grave is on display... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Also found with the burial were some unusual grave goods which are displayed here... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr One is a carved stone club. Originally assumed to be a weapon or hunting tool, now microscopic analysis has revealed signs of white pigments suggesting that it might have been painted. Perhaps it had another use? image by g.nat, on Flickr Even more unusual is an almost perfectly carved sphere of polished black stone. Three small circular depressions in its surface has led the archaeologists to nickname it the "bowling ball". It's actual purpose is unknown but believed to have been of great ritual/religious significance as it was found with the skeleton's hand resting on it. image by g.nat, on Flickr As to the bones themselves, when first discovered they were identified as the remains of a prehistoric adult male but now modern technology has revealed so much more. DNA analysis of the bones and facial reconstruction based on the skull has allowed us to see how he might have looked when alive. Microscopic fibres found preserved stuck to the bones have even allowed his clothing to be recreated... so could this be the face of one of Ballabreek's oldest inhabitants? Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Keen to learn more about the area's prehistory, a group of archaeologists are preparing to excavate the area around the original gravesite. Already their preliminary surveys have suggested larger structures (perhaps a settlement) lay just below the surface and they hope that public events like this will generate interest in their work. It's already led to calls for the town to have its own museum to display local finds like this. A few more pics... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr This is my attempt to get the Flintstones set into Ballabreek... so was my town originally the real "Bedrock" or is this just the archaeologists attempt at an early April Fool's prank? I guess only time will tell!! As always, thanks for looking!!

This week has seen some changes to what was my layout's oldest unchanged building - the convenience store. First added to the town in 2010, it was based on an official Lego design (7848 Toys R Us truck and store) but I turned it into a local store serving the local citizen's needs for everyday items; bread, milk, newspapers etc. Recently, business has been suffering due to online shopping and the lower prices in larger supermarkets in nearby towns so the owner decided to sell up. Fortunately, the store has been bought by a company called "City Food Market". The business is run by a charity that buys up land and retail premises and then rents them out to groups of local farmers, allotment owners and other small scale producers giving them a chance to get their produce to a wider audience. The aim is to support local growers, encourage environmentally sustainable food production and improve people's health. Now their latest store has opened in Ballabreek we'll have to see if it's successful!! I've given it's own topic here but for now here's a few pics of it in the town, along with it's backstory!! The original building... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr And after a lick of paint and some rebranding... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The interior has been given a make over too... (it was a bit hard to take a decent photo from this angle!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So far it seems to be popular with the locals... hopefully this will continue!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This whole idea came about after I got the new Xtra City Stickers set from Lego which I think are great - they remind me of the stickers you used to get in the official ideas books back in the 80s/90s. I was debating turning the shop into a pet store but as someone who wouldn't recognise a healthy vegetable if you hit me over the head with one, I thought at least my minifigs should have access to healthy food!! Thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!

I recently added this little shop to my ongoing Lego town topic but thought it deserved its own little topic and some extra close up pics. It's a classic, open-backed build based on the Toys R Us shop in set 7848. For years it had served as a local convenience store in my LEGO town but now, inspired by the recent Xtra City Sticker set, I've given it a bit of a revamp and turned it into a small farm shop selling locally grown produce. Exterior view (they're supposed to be potatoes in the barrel!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Interior... for its small size, it's pretty well stocked! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Plenty of fresh fruit and veg at reasonable prices... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr It also sells fresh milk and fruit juices.... all locally produced using only organic produce (as you can see by the sign above the checkout!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr More products - such as breakfast cereals, honey and natural vitamin and energy boosters will be stocked soon (when I get round to using more of the stickers!) but for now, thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!

I recently got the new Flintstones Ideas set and while it's not perfect (needs the kids and Dino!!) I love the actual house design and it's had me re-watching the original cartoons. This quick MOC is based on the very first episode and is "The Flintstone Flyer" (previously known as the Barney-copter after its inventor!) I love the wacky primitive "technology" of the show and this is a great example!! Reference pics Flintstone_Flyer by g.nat, on Flickr Flintstone_Flyer-1 by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr image by g.nat, on Flickr Close up of the "engine" I've got some ideas on improving its accuracy and adding the foot pedals but for now I think it's close enough. The wheels do all rotate but don't turn the propeller shaft... yet! image by g.nat, on Flickr Thanks for looking!!

Find out what they're looking at in this topic !!

As well as being the Patron Saint of Ireland, St Patrick plays an important part in the history of the Isle of Man. It's said he brought Christianity to the island during the 5th century and many places still bear his name and/or have stories about him associated with them. One such place is a field near the coast in the south of the island. It's said that after coming ashore, St Patrick stood on a rock to bless the land, leaving the imprint of his feet in the stone itself. During the 1930's the landowner had a concrete shelter constructed to "protect" the rock... although as it had a coin operated mechanism to allow people to view the footprints perhaps he had an different motive!! Nowadays, damage to the structure means the footprints can be seen for free! Although I've lived here most of my life and do lots of walking, I'd never heard of this bit of local history until it was mentioned on the news this morning - I'll have to get round to seeing if I can find the real thing but for now I've built my own Lego version!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Top view showing the viewing holes and coin slot.. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The coin would have operated a light or opened a shutter to allow the footprints to be seen. Now the mechanism has gone leaving an opening in the structure that allows the light in. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The view Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr With the top removed the footprints can be seen more clearly. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr I've added a footpath so my minifigs can easily access it Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Comments are always welcome.... Thanks for looking and Happy St Patrick's Day!!

Today's update sees some of the locals heading off into the countryside as part of an annual tradition... but where are they going? Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The answer lies in a nearby field where they seem to be queuing up to peer inside a strange stone structure... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr So what are they looking at? And why today? Any ideas? I'll post the answer later in a separate topic (This has been a bit of a rush build and I need to take a few more detailed pics. It's based on a local structure I never knew existed until I saw a news item on it earlier!!) Anyway thanks for looking - and Happy St Patrick's Day!!

That's really nice!! As others have said, the hull design is great - I especially like the bow section. The extra details (nets, floats etc) really bring it to life. Great job!!

I recently ordered an M5A1 Stuart kit from Brickmania. While researching the tank, I came across this interesting bit of history which gave me an idea on how to display it! Kinmen is an island (or rather an island group) just off the coast of China and in 1949 was the location of a key battle during the Chinese Civil War. By this time, the Communist People’s Liberation Army had taken control of much of mainland China establishing the People’s Republic of China and forcing the Nationalist, Republic of China government to flee to Taiwan. Keen to secure a total victory, the Communists began planning to invade Taiwan, but first they had to secure the strategically important island of Greater Kinmen. With little experience of amphibious warfare and few ships, their plan was to land an initial force of 9,000 troops to seize several beachheads before landing another 10,000 troops to secure the island. They believed that that would be enough to defeat the 12,000 Nationalist troops they thought were defending the island. Unfortunately for the PLA, the Nationalists had reinforced the islands garrison with at least another 5,000 troops and more importantly 22 M5A1 “Stuart” light tanks. The Bear of Kinmen by g.nat, on Flickr The invasion turned out to be a disaster for the Communists. Their plan to land the first wave at high tide to avoid beach obstacles was hampered by delays so most of the landing craft (which were mainly commandeered wooden, sailing vessels) ended up stranded and easy targets for Nationalist artillery meaning that the second wave never reached the island. While those troops who did make it ashore managed some initial successes, they were soon overwhelmed by the tanks against which they had little defence. Accounts describe tanks running out of ammo and simply crushing the enemy under their tracks! By the 27th October, after 2 days of fighting, the invaders made their last stand in the village of Gunningtou before finally surrendering. The entire invasion force had been either killed or captured and the victory gave the Nationalists a great morale boost. The vital contribution of the tanks earned them the nickname ‘The Bears of Kinmen”. Over the next few months, the PLA did manage to capture some smaller islands but the outbreak of the Korean war saw their attention shift elsewhere. It also saw the Americans pledge support to the Nationalists and so Taiwan and KInmen remain under Nationalist control today. My build is based on a monument at the Battle of Gunningtou Museum and features one of the “Bears of Kinmen” - an M5A1 Stuart tank. This particular tank (Tank #66) played an important role in the battle. While on exercise the day before the invasion, it had got stuck in the sand on the beach at Longkou, which as it happened was one of the main invasion beaches. The tank, along with two others whose crews were helping to free it, were still there as around 3,000 PLA troops landed. The quick thinking tankers were able to open fire on the invaders (and their landing craft) before they could get inland and seize their objective (a village in the centre of the island which would have allowed them to control the main road). The Bear of Kinmen by g.nat, on Flickr The Bear of Kinmen by g.nat, on Flickr The tank itself is by Brickmania - with a tiny MOD to remove the hull machine gun and the addition of some custom stickers. The flag is also from Brickmania. The rest is loosely based on this reference pic I found online. Bear+of+Kinmen+M5A1 by g.nat, on Flickr As always thanks for looking - comments are always welcome!

Nothing too fancy this week I'm afraid!! I've just been tweaking the harbour area and adding a slipway (it used to have one but it was removed some time ago - since then a number of local minifigs have been campaigning for its return to encourage more people to make use of the harbour). We'll just have to see if it's worked!! Overview Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr This is actually the second version of this I built this week as I had originally put the slipway in front of the dive shop (where the white boat is) but decided that this arrangement made more sense as it allows largish boats to moor up without blocking the entrance. Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The harbour should come alive once the weather warms up but for now we see members of the local Dive Club loading up their new boat (this week's Lego purchase!)... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally the view out to sea. Originally the sea was just blue baseplates but as I mentioned when I started this topic, I wanted to try something more realistic. (I really like the effect but it ended up requiring several Bricklink orders and now I'm sick of the sight of 1x1 trans blue round plates!!) Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr As usual, thanks for looking... comments are always welcome!!

Great looking build!! Love all the interior details (especially the tube train carriage and phone box!) and the exterior is pretty much perfect!! The "Lego stud" vents are a great touch!! (I've never been to the real life store but hopefully one day...!!) Thanks for sharing!!

What a great little layout - love the train (and the townsfolk with their backstories and strangely familiar names!!!) Nice work - thanks for sharing.

This week, most of my "LEGO time" has been spent working on some military themed MOCs but the ever resourceful citizens of Ballabreek have managed to find a use for one of them!! A group of minifigs have started a campaign to get a local war hero the recognition he deserves. Born in Ballabreek in 1919 and the son of of the local doctor, Thomas Lhee dropped out of medical school to join the army in 1940 keen to "do his bit for King and country". He served throughout the war and on returning home completed his studies and followed in his father's footsteps, serving the people of Ballabreek as their local doctor for over 50 years. Known for his dedication, professionalism and compassion he was much loved by the locals. Throughout his career he never mentioned his wartime service but after his death earlier this year (aged 99) his family discovered a number of medals and diaries hidden away in a drawer. Their research has uncovered a tale of heroism which revealed how Thomas risked his life again and again as an unarmed medic to rescue wounded men while under fire, sometimes disobeying orders to do what he believed was the right thing and save a life. Moved by his story, a group of locals want to see the town mark his bravery with some sort of memorial (it has been suggested that the hospital be renamed after him) and so they've begun a petition to make this happen. In order to gain some publicity for their campaign, the Ballabreek Military History Society has loaned them a restored WW2 ambulance of the sort Thomas would have used. As you can see, it's certainly drawn in the crowds!! Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr A re-enactor tells the story of Dr Lhee Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr The ambulance itself fascinates both young and old... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Signing the all important petition... Untitled by g.nat, on Flickr Finally, the man himself... doctor, soldier, hero... Screen Shot 2019-02-23 at 17.03.54 by g.nat, on Flickr This was a quickly made up backstory to explain why a WW2 ambulance would be in the town!! To find out more about the ambulance MOC itself (which would have actually been used by New Zealand troops) check out this thread Oh and his name... "Lhee" is the Manx word for "doctor" Anyway, thanks for looking.... comments are always welcome!!

The Universal Carrier was one of the most widely produced armoured vehicles of WW2. More commonly known as the "Bren Gun Carrier", they were originally developed by the British to carry a machine gun and its crew but went on to be used in a huge variety of roles. At a push, the standard Carrier could carry stretchers across the rear cargo area but this was far from ideal so the New Zealand Army developed a dedicated ambulance variant. It saw use mainly during the Italian campaign. In the rough mountainous terrain, its tracks allowed it to reach casualties that conventional wheeled vehicles couldn't. My version is based on this photo of an ambulance serving with the New Zealand 18th Armoured Regiment... image by g.nat, on Flickr My version began life as a standard Brickmania Universal Carrier before being modified... Universal Carrier Ambulance [MOD] by g.nat, on Flickr Most obviously I added a "canvas" roof to protect the casualties and crew from the elements. I also switched the colour to white which, along with the prominent Red Cross markings, gave it protection under the Geneva Convention. Universal Carrier Ambulance [MOD] by g.nat, on Flickr The rear cargo area was also modified as in the real life version, with the side armour being extended right to the back which is left opened up to allow stretchers to be slid in easily. My version can carry 2 stretchers (but not the casualties unfortunately - unless you take their arms off!! ). In the real version the stretchers would lie on the floor of the cargo area, either side of the engine but that just wasn't possible at this scale!! Universal Carrier Ambulance [MOD] by g.nat, on Flickr I've also added extra external storage; a rack of jerry cans on one side and a storage box at the front. The vehicle ID marking is for the 18th Armour Regiment. Universal Carrier Ambulance [MOD] by g.nat, on Flickr Finally a picture with my medic (figure from United Bricks) I need to get some more WW2 British/Commonwealth troops I think!! Universal Carrier Ambulance [MOD] by g.nat, on Flickr The Universal Carrier is one of my favourite armoured vehicles and I plan to do a few more variants - so with this space!! In the meantime, thanks for looking... comments are always welcome!!

Thanks for the comments... The accounts I've read actually mention the buoyancy of the tanks as an issue during the initial trials. With much of the interior being full of air they tended to "bounce" along the seabed reducing traction - they could manage about 3mph submerged. (but with heavier Panzer 3's with increased armour and larger guns already in production it wasn't considered a major problem.)

What a super little build... the crossbow use is inspired and really brings the figure to life!! Nice work!