homoludens

Absolutely hypnotic - makes me want to buy another set of this :)

Timetables and pricing info can be found at: www.bahn.de At the top of the page you can choose from a number of languages. Once you do this, you can enter time and day to see your connections. Additionally, the page will show "offers". To see the Bayern-ticket, just select "regional tickets within Germany" and then "Länder tickets". There you can choose from different federal states. I believe the only restriction that applies is that you must begin your journey after 9:00 am, but you can use the ticket until 3:00 am of the following day. As mentioned before, since the Munich public transport is included, it is really a bargain.

I am hoping to come also (at least for one day), but I'll have to wait until my I get the go-ahead from my boss. Having recently traveled to Munich by train I would also recommend public transportation. The so-called "Bayern (Bavaria) - ticket is only 22 Euros for the first person and then 4 Euros each for up to 4 extra people => this means 5 people can use all trains in Bavaria for a whole day for 38 Euros. To top it off, you can also use trams, busses and underground in Munich for free. Traffic is very dense in Munich sometimes, so I definitely recommend this option. Cheers Frank

I was on vacation in Florida for two weeks and also found some of the reduced sets at Walmart - we get some discounts in Germany as well, but nothing like this. I got: - POTC Queen Anne $40 - POTC Whitecap Bay $ 25 - Harry Potter Hogwarts $ 15 - Harry Potter Castle $ 40 - Harry Potter Bus $ 12 This was at the Super Walmart in Bonita Springs, FL. When I last checked yesterday morning, there were still multiples of everything mentioned above left, sans the Queen Anne, however. If I lived there, I would have spent $ 200 easily. Cheers Frank

I am also a great fan of art nouveau and find myself struggling with the same problems as you are - how can one imitate the vital and round ornamentation with elements that are mainly straight and rectangular? Having said that, I must profess that your latest building (the older ones are great as well) is an inspiration for me. The way you combined old and new architecture is simply stunning. Makes me want to run downstairs and start building right away... Merci! Frank

Absolutely stunning and beautiful - love the mouth and eyes! Makes me want to build one for my son right away. Maybe I should have stocked on red parts, probably don't have enough...yet! Frank

I have also received my MMV and Grand Emporium from amazon.fr - it took a little longer than expected, but since I got them at 65 and 109 Euros respectively, I certainly won't complain. (On a side note: MMV is now sold out at amazon.fr, a sign that the set is retired now?) A few days ago, I also couldn't pass up the Millenium Falcon at under 100 Euros. It was scheduled to be shipped in January, but today I got a message saying "shipment December 10". Good service, but bad for my credit card Frank

Medieval Market village is now down to 64 Euros on amazon.fr, an absolute steal

Lego will certainly make sure that the new figures are different from the old ones. As for the old sets - there will be renewed interest in this line with many new collectors joining the bandwagon. Many of them are probably completists willing to shell out some serious money for whatever they don't have - so I'm expecting to see the Batcave and Arkham Asylum go the way of Cloud City (financially ). Great to hear that Marvel characters are included, by the way. Cheers Frank

Actually, I'm trying to sell them as a lot first. If there's not enough interest, however, I may eventually break the lot up into smaller units. Cheers Frank

Updated offer: 60 spartans now 200 Euros or $270 US plus shipping as described above. Thanks Frank

I would have loved to, but it was impossible! Strictly no pictures and lots of friendly Lego people watching. Frank

Has the "special" figure been revealed? Are we allowed to do so here? Frank

The chimp is more like a baby animal on a single stud if I remember correctly. I regrett I didn't write more details down, but I was overwhelmed by seeing all the new sets. Lego have extended their space by at least 25% this year, you can really tell that they must be doing well in the market.

I attended the Nuremberg Toy Fair today and can confirm the list from above with some additions: - Boxer - Eskimo (with rod and fish) - Cleopatra - Sherlock Holmes Style PI - British Guard - Cannibal (the one with the bone in the hair) - not sure about this one - Gladiator - Unidentified Blue Figure - this may the lumberjack I saw (has cap and axe) - Unidentified Red Figure - Female Figure with suitcase - some kind of historic judge - not sure, but if I remember correctly there was a figure with graduation gown and mortarboard - clown with melon hat - godzilla costume - Mobster with gun, hat and case - I can definitely confirm this one - dwarf - female zookeeper with little ape - looks great! I hate to say this, because it sounds so stereotypical - but this one looks like the best series so far! Terrific job by Lego. Cheers Frank PS Have the figures from the SW advent calender been revealed? Don't want to spoil anyone's fun, but...