LegoPohm

New Zealand just doesn't have the population to support a big Lego buying base. I always shop around and go overseas via the Internet, I always look and wait for sales/specials. It's the same for just about anything here, hobbies to food, a small population and very little competition. The real bugbear for me is the fact that not all sets make it out here, poly bags for instance. I'm lucky that relatives in the UK help out but I do feel that the hike in price is not a true reflection of shipping cost additions, but is that a taxation thing that is out of control of Lego?

Great review. I think Galaxy Squad is becoming my new favourite Lego theme. As a kid classic space was my number 1, so I suppose I'm coming back to my Lego roots. I think I have to make some Lego decisions as there are so many great sets and themes, but I have so many unfinished themes. Whitefang, I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your reviews, they really help my decision making.

The more I have looked at the sets the more I like them. My Lego collecting of late has been very much geared towards getting licensed sets which in the main seem to be about collecting the minifigs. GS has got me looking at the models and the possibilites that present themselves - pretty much how it used to be for me as a child when classic space was my favourite theme. Well done Lego :) I have not found any release details for NZ yet.

Good article and good news for Aussies and Oz based fans. Hope there is a knock on effect in NZ in terms of export numbers of bricks.

I have found the whole Friends theme controversy rather odd, the opinions raised where never anything I considered until I read them. I have 3 daughters two of whom are very much into Lego, probably because their Dad is :). Whichever sets come out to be played with the result usually ends up the same: they use the minifigs to enact weddings and parties, decorating the buildings (the MMV is a favourite for this) they create and hunting ,firstly, for the brighter coloured bricks for their MOCs. On the flip side they also love to set up battles with Star Wars and Castle Lego and enjoy not letting Dad win. I enjoy getting involved with their play either with the Castle, Star Wars and City Themes and/or their Friends themes. I certainly do not see why Friends is re-enforcing a gender stereotype; when not playing Lego my girls run around outside digging holes in the garden, climbing trees and generally engaging in what could be regarded as male stereotype activities. Does it really hurt for boys and girls to retreat into these worlds every now and again whether it be a pink room filled with hairbrushes or a full on infantry engagement in front of a castle?

Thank you for the great review, WF your minifig reviews are always great. Each series that goes by seems to have fewer figures that appeal to me and I am less inclined to want to collect them all; mainly due to not yet having a complete collection of any series - I get ones that fit themes and sets I have, plus a few others I like the look of. This series seems does not really grab me as a whole, I'll try for the pirate, alien, conquistador and actor; plus I know my girls want the fairy and father Christmas. I'm sure a few others will find there way into the collection as we don't put a lot of effort into feeling them - the females with dresses are pretty easy to identify though.

Not too sure how I am going to manage to do a build for this without my daughers knowing, I am sure they'll end up with some input/take over, especially now they have read the contest information over my shoulder!

Great review, thanks for taking the time to do it and share. Have to say, from these images I am impressed by this set, each review of the LOTR sets that I read convinces me further than I am going to have to try and get them. My wallet and Wife are not going to be best pleased, although I am sure the bank manager and TLG will like how my money is used

Brickminer I have seen on the jobs at lego website a trainer position with Legoeducation in Billund. I am a qualified teacher and really keen on this position but need some info about life 'outside of Lego' in Billund, so that I can give my wife and kids some more information to go on rather than just the job description. Can you help or is there anywhere you can point me for more info? Thanks for your time.

Some great scores here, enjoying reading people's PAB adventures. Wish I had one here in NZ. Still, I get plenty of time reading up on techniques for packing for when I go and visit my relatives in England later in the year - I think I'll be spending a lot on Lego purchases. If I take one of my daughters I'll get a couple of suitcases, but only use one for clothes on the outward bound trip leaves plenty of room

I can't say for sure how true it is but a couple of on-line retailers here have the sets listed but only one has quoted the release date of September - the other just says unavailable. At the moment I can deal with it - but once people start showing off their sets, minifigs and MOCs on EB I'll probably end up pestering relatives in the UK to send them .

I buy all my Lego in secret, but rarely does it stay secret . My kids seem to know my collection as imtimately as I do and quickly shout up to mum if they spot something new in amongst it all. My wife is fairly tolerant and 'gets' my Lego collecting but I do stick to the line 'it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.' I can get away with being open about minifigs but anything else I usually have to sell something beforehand (not Lego), but I am running out of those 'somethings'. I have no idea how I am going to manage the LoTR Helms Deep set yet...

Love this build and enjoy returning to see how it is going. Cracking stuff.

Posted my entry last night after some silly errors with deep linking on my part. My first attempt so I hope it is acceptable, I am afraid my photographic skills are not very good at all.