Ayrlego

Brilliant! I love the thick mangroves and water here... and the walkway, the fort. Well everything really! I think the judges are going to have a really difficult time with all the great builds for this challenge, but this should definitely be a contender IMHO!

Great action scenes, but the really amazing thing is the way you have presented the story - it was brilliant! Another fine detail that really stands this build out is the half-dressed state of the soldiers charging to repel the pirates! Overall a great entry, well done!

Thank you everyone for the comments and encouragement! Although at times frustrating I really enjoyed this build! The turtle is one of my favourite details! Having watched turtles lumbering up beaches to lay eggs both here in Australia and in the Seychelles, it is an amazing experience, and one I wanted Dirk to behold. DISCLAIMER: I don't actually have any TMNT sets, I just brick-linked the carapace for this build! I did have the same thought when I placed the vines...... Poachers beware! Unfortunately they will almost certainly become endangered over time I fear. Especially since sailors have a nasty habit of eating them. The hight surprised me, I didn't think I'd have enough bricks to do a decent cliff (hence the use of light grey) but it just kept getting higher! In the end I stopped at around 20 bricks high (in most places) as any higher and I think photography would have got (even more) difficult. As it should be! Now to make it the scientific hub of the new world as well!!

Oh wow! The action, the fortress, those trees , the water, the gore..... so many great details. Fantastic entry KB!

The way you have joined the sloped walls..... Puts my efforts to shame!! A fantastic entry (I admit I have been waiting to see what you'd come up with!) I think you definitely achieved the sunlight look - the shadows on the tower really convey it and it really looks like it is in the tropical sun! The dark background I think makes a nice change, but maybe with the shadows make the whole thing a bit dark? Although I think it would look better this way than with white??? I think I'll just acknowledge you as a photography (and Lego!) master and leave it at that!

Great build. The entrance way with the water, statues and flowers is simply beautiful. Indeed the whole build has a very pleasant feel with the colours blending together very well. I too have considered a fencing school, but the eastern take on this one makes it quite unique - I don't think there should be any issues with this fitting in, later in the period oriental customs where quite fashionable (tea, porcelain etc) +1 from Corrington

Another great challenge 2B entry! Great foliage (I do appreciate the green stuff!), and the stone work on the fort looks great and I think captures the feel of a crude native fortification well. The action is also well done and the poses are excellent. All round great entry! Oh, and it's refreshing to see this time that the Oleaders didn't start it!!

That is one fast looking boat, could easily be a pleasure craft for some high ranking officer! My favourite detail but has to be the tiller - it looks great!

An amusing story and good way to show your results. Hopefully Hermol's wife appreciates his efforts!

That hull technique is great and the time you've clearly put in on the sails and rigging was well worth it! Another splendid ship, great work!

Great foliage and the burnt ground looks really convincing - together with a good story, great entry!

I quite like this build - it has a great feel about it (if that makes any sense! ) The way the wreck sticks up on the rocks looks really good, and the net is a great touch that I think really adds to the scene. My only suggestion would be to maybe use a bigger base plate (so the entire row boat is on the base), and cover the ocean in 1x1 trans clear/light blue plates - I think you could get a really good looking effect. Something I'm sure you already thought off though! (I'm guessing limited bricks?). Anyway like I said, this build really appeals to me - great job!

I like how you have illustrated the construction, I hope his superiors appreciate his dedicated work!

A truly impressive lady Sir! Congrats on being the first ship of the line here, and such a great first she is too! The colour scheme is superb and her gun decks are very impressive. The way you can access the interior is inspired!

Thanks Captain Dee! The turtle shell is the teenage mutant ninja turtle's carapace

Captain Dirk Allcock, of Her Majesties 47th Regiment of Foot, is pleased to announce that a modified Colonial Half Battery has been constructed on the Northern Peninsular overlooking the entrance to King's Harbour. Long live the Queen!

[COR Mar FB1] The Lady Jacqueline | Ayrlego| Corrington [COR Mar FB2] New Tasking | Ayrlego| Corrington [COR Feb MRCA] Saved by Dark Lightning | Ayrlego| Corrington

Challenge II, Category A - North Head Battery Dirk's previous story can be found here Bregir's characters have been used with his permission. ------------------------------------------------------- After a fortnight’s hard work, the Colonial Half Battery that Dirk Allcock had been directed to site and supervise construction of was complete, and the temporary Governor of King’s Harbour, Captain Jonathan Cooke, was coming for an inspection. Dirk hoped the Governor would be impressed. With the assistance of Midshipman Knowles, he had carefully selected an appropriate site that had commanding views of the wide entrance to the bay, and provided a suitable field of fire in conjunction with the already established battery on the southern side. The chosen position sat at the edge of a rocky cliff, overlooking wide stretches of beach and enclosed by vegetation all sides. A small path had been cleared leading down into a nearby cove for access and resupply and it was this path that the Governor and his entourage now approached on. Dirk was a little nervous, for he had slightly exceeded his orders in that he had made some modifications to the prefabricated half battery design, which called for a straight palisade of wood to protect the two 24 pound guns. Whilst the original palisade design was more than suitable for protection from small arms, Dirk had felt that given the position and purpose of the battery; the palisade would be better suited with sloping walls to attempt to deflect any heavy shot from vessels trying to force entrance to the bay. Dirk's second improvisation was off a slightly larger scale. He had found a stone mason newly arrived in the colony, and had quickly press ganged him into building a small furnace adjunct to the battery. The purpose for this was not so the garrison could bake fresh bread (although the Colonial gunners were impressed!). Rather it was so the 24pound shot could be heated until red hot. This heated shot could then be employed against any enemy vessels attempting to force entry to the harbour. Fire, always the greatest fear onboard a wooden vessel, was the inevitable result of being struck by heated shot. Heated shot was usually only available to large, established forts, so to employ it in a makeshift half battery was un-heard off. Dirk however, always the innovator, simply could not resist pushing the boundaries of the possible. Captain Cooke arrived, and with him was the man Dirk had travelled to Cocovia to meet, Don Isaac Montoya. Montoya nodded at Dirk, the two had matters both were eager to discuss. Both men were passionate natural philosophers, and Montoya was proposing the establishment of a New World Branch of the Royal Society of Natural Philosophy. Duty, however, came first, and Dirk’s duty to the crown had meant reporting to Captain Cooke first, and the naval officer had entrusted him with establishing this battery, crucial to the defences of the new settlement. After pleasantries were exchanged, Captain Cooke made a detailed inspection of the site, the guns and the powder, ammunition storage and lastly the furnace. Dirk explained his modified design and the Governor carefully studied the fields of fire the guns provided. During this time, Montoya spied something on the beach below that captured his full attention. A notebook appeared in his hands as if by magic, and he began furiously taking notes and making sketches. “I say” he announced “I have never seen a sea turtle like it” Instantly distracted from the inspection, Dirk glanced down at the beach and at the large turtle crawling up it. “Ah yes, I call them ‘banded turtles’ due to the unusual dark horizontal band across the bottom third of the carapace. I believe that will be a female coming ashore to lay eggs” replied Dirk excitedly. “The natives hereabouts say that this area is a major breeding ground for them, although this is the first I seen come ashore.” “Yes that band is indeed unlike anything I have seen before” commented Montoya “The natives also say that the female turtles will return to precisely the spot they were hatched from to lay their eggs, although how they discern this fact I have no idea” added Dirk. Both men were now totally absorbed watching the turtle, making observations and comments as if the bemused governor and crew of the half battery did not even exist. “Is there a way down onto the beach?” Asked Montoya. Captain Cooke gave a slight shake of his head, and his lips turned slightly up in a grin. He knew his patron and good friend, Montoya, well enough to know that any hope of further discussions of arcs of fire or powder storage were hopeless. He also recognised the same traits in this Army officer. Truth be told he was well pleased with the battery. It had saved him the work of supervising the construction himself, and the location was indeed ideal. The modifications, to the battery design, while slightly un-orthodox, were indeed inspired. Only the Army would thought of something as devilishly effective as heated shot. The Naval officer in him disapproved. Fire was the enemy of all sailors. The governor in him however, was excited at this new capability. He nodded to his entourage; He would leave the two men to their turtle, the never-ending needs of the new settlement were calling him back to the harbour. ------------------------------------- Hope you enjoyed the rather long story! This has been my biggest build to date (a full 48x48), although I think my Cat B entry looks bigger! Actually there are a few firsts here for me, it is also my largest attempt at rock work, first brick built animal (sort off) and first time I've collaborated with another builder for the story (Cheers Bregir!). As always, comments and criticism welcome! Dirk's story continues here

Greetings All, I apologise in advance for the small builds. I promise you this is not about doubloons! Instead this post is much more about advancing Dirk's story line to the point where I can next post my Challenge 2 Category A entry! So if you enjoy the story, please read on. If you came only to see some impressive builds, probably best you skip this thread! Bregir's characters have been used with his permission. Dirk's previous story can be found here --------------------------- On taking to the high seas again, the Lady Jacqueline came across a small Corlander supply vessel. Surprisingly, she carried two letters for Dirk Allcock! Both were from a gentleman Dirk only knew by reputation, Don Isaac Montoya. Montoya was a well known name in the scientific community and his interests in the area coincided with Dirk’s own. The first letter was a business proposal; apparently Montoya had come into a quite substantial fortune of late. The second interested Dirk far more – an invitation to assist with the founding of a New World branch of the Society of Natural Philosophy. Montoya was currently in the new Corlander colony of Cocovia, establishing a settlement at a place called Kings Harbour. Dirk decided to proceed there at once. King’s Harbour was a beautiful natural harbour on the west side of the island that Corrington had recently christened ‘Cocovia’. The area was bustling with activity as the serious business of establishing a settlement began. As was his duty, Dirk’s first step on proceeding ashore was to report to the temporary Governor of the settlement, Captain Jonathan Cooke. Dirk found the Governor supervising the unloading of supplies from a newly arrived transport vessel. As the crates and barrels piled up before him, Dirk stopped to watch the naval officer. Relations between the Army and Navy were sometimes strained as the two services competed for funding and prestige. As Captain Cooke held his rank in the Royal Navy, he far outranked Dirk, whose Captains commission was held in the army. The peculiarities between the two services meant that a Captain in the Navy was the equivalent of a full Colonel in the Army. Dirk was impressed with what he saw. Captain Cooke directed and controlled the bustling chaos before him. Aides and civilians would rush up and were dealt with quickly and purposefully. When he felt he had seen enough, he approached the Naval officer and waited to be noticed. As if waiting for his approach, Captain Cooke turned and raised an eyebrow. “Captain Dirk Allcock, Her Majesties 47th Regiment of Foot, newly arrived Sir and reporting as a courtesy” announced Dirk with a crisp salute. “and what brings the Army to King’s Harbour Captain Allcock?” queried Cooke. “I am on detached duty, with a special roving commission of exploration from the Army board Sir” “Right… and does this commission specify any specific duties Captain?” “Well actually no Sir, I have with me 15 men of my light company and am to assist with any exploration or colonisation efforts for the crown as required, I am in town to meet with Don Montoya, with whom I have business and to offer any assistance that I can to your good self Sir.” “Well Captain, it just so happens I require some assistance, my dear friend Montoya will have to wait! You see, I am devilishly short of Officers - have you, by chance, had any experience with artillery” “Indeed Sir, as it happens, I was assigned to a Major of the Royal Corps of Artillery for a six month period as a Lieutenant, we toured fortifications conducting inspections and supervision maintenance of batteries in the southern districts of Belson.” “Ah that is most fortuitous; I have established a prefabricated colonial half battery on the southern arm of this bay, but I need someone to sight and supervise the construction of a second half battery on the northern arm, somewhere over there” Captain Cooke pointed across the bay to the cliff lined northern peninsular. “It is rough country I’m afraid, and I haven’t the time to supervise the placement myself. The second battery is important so that the entry to the bay is completely covered and at this early stage the settlement remains very vulnerable to attack. Do you think yourself capable of this task Captain Allcock?” “Why yes of course Sir, it would be a pleasure to assist.” replied Dirk. “Excellent, I shall assign you Midshipmen Knowles here as a liaison, he has the details for the half battery, report back when the battery is complete, now if you will excuse my discourtesy Captain, I am extremely busy.” Captain Cooke announced with a tired half smile, while beckoning over an impossibly young looking Midshipmen who was hovering in the background. “Yes Sir, I shall begin at once” Dirk replied and saluted. Cooke promptly returned the courtesy, before turning back to the chaos on the beach. ----------------------------------------- Dirk's story continues here

That is a very small hole for a very big cannon! I like the variation of colours used to represent the work in progress around the earthworks. The earthworks themselves look like they would be very difficult to attack. I do however, pity the Oleander soldiers, labouring away under the watch of their un-caring officer, in full uniform including shako and packs! No wonder I spy a bottle in the background - that is sure to be thirsty work !

Hmmmmm, I'm not so sure, sounds entirely believable to this Corlander!! The action in this scene is great, you really get the feel for the running battle between the Islanders and Oleanders (with the sharks waiting for the left overs!) Great entry, well done!

I admit the first thing that caught my eye here was not the ship yard itself, but the wonderfully ornate furniture and curtains in the building. Another superb build Sir, great job!

That is a good looking way of representing the cotton plant, different from what we've seen before. Good job!

As others have already commented, this is perhaps the best example of an artillery emplacement I have seen here! The slope on the palisade is great - good for deflecting round shot! And the representation of the earth works is very well executed! The palm tree stumps with the 1x1 tan plate are a great little detail and the rest of the vegetation gives this build a very pleasing feel - not to mention the excellent looking minifigs!. Perhaps my favourite entry in Cat A so far, great work!

This is simply beautiful! One of my favourite entries so far! The water is incredible, and I like the island, especially the way you have the palm tree on an angle. I experimented with this technique last night on seeing your entry, but the weight of the leaves meant the tree kept falling off the base. The ship is also one of my favourites! She is just so clean, and the colours work brilliantly. Over all great work and fantastic entry!