Lego McLaren Senna 75892

 This was a great build.  Very nicely detailed although that does mean a lot of tiny pieces but, even worse, a heck of a lot of stickers.  My sticker game is extremely weak but I persevered as they really add something to the finished model and I'm glad I did as I think it looks really great built up.  Not too sure about the grey colour but it does mean the orange trim really pops.

The inclusion of the wind tunnel turbine is a fun addition and the fan really turns which is nice for playing.  Plays like a standard mini car and seems reasonably sturdy.  although I did only push it around the table making strange "brmm, brmm" noises.  Yes, I know I'm supposedly an adult but why stop playing and having fun?

Number Of Pieces: 219

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.06

Build Time: 1 Hour

 

I think I have a problem!

 So, with Covid-19 measures getting more and more restrictive in the UK the chances of me getting back to the office any time soon are minimal.  Haven't been out for a meal or to the pub for a drink since the end of February and that isn't going to change any time in 2020.  Couple this with the sinking feeling that we may be heading for full lockdown again I decided yesterday to have a little Lego splurge before the local Smyths is forced to close down.

Now, I am aware that delivery never stops and I could order direct from Lego BUT there is just something about the immediacy of buying in a store that trumps ordering it online and waiting for your delivery.  Only downside is that we don't have a Lego Store nearer than Manchester and that is 90 minutes away on the train.  Like I am going to go on Public Transport right now unless there is a good reason!  This means that big hauls don't earn me precious VIP Points - would be really nice if you could scan your receipts in and Lego gave you 50% of the VIP Points you would earn in store or online (think I'll email them that suggestion - bit late for me now as I always lose all my receipts).

Ended up going to Smyth's twice because the boy was a bit miffed when he got home from work that the other half and I had been.  Of course, even though I'd splurged already I couldn't help myself and got MORE.

The Death Star was the boy's splurge but the Star Wars Helmets are mine.  Going to order the TIE Fighter Helmet at the start of October after I've seen what the double VIP Points items are as might need to be getting myself a couple more kits.

Finally gave in and got the 1989 Batmobile after drooling over it every time we go to the Lego Aisle.  Even better they had the Creator Expert Diner back in stock and they also had the Bookshop.  So thrilled to get those.

Spent way more than I should have and I think my credit card provider may not be too happy but I am set for the rest of 2020 and well in to 2021.  Seeing as our usual week away in September/October is off the cards I figure I can say I'm repurposing those funds.

Also picked up the latest Super Mario game for the Nintendo Switch for the other half so he doesn't feel left out.

Lego Buggy 42101

 I have only recent started building the Technics line kits and I do find them a bit of a challenge so thought I would take a step back and try a tiny kit.  This was an inordinate amount of fun to build, although I will admit to getting a little lost in the orientation of pieces early in the build and had to strip it down by about 10 steps when I realised I mounted something the wrong way.  Was well worth persevering with and I was impressed by the finished piece.  The fact it has the working suspension bar makes me so happy as it has a lovely bounce action.

Large amount of stickers for the size of the piece but they are a reasonable size and applied fairly easily.  If you've read any of my other Lego kit reviews you will know I constantly complain about how bad I am at stickers but I think I only had to adjust one in this kit.  For once the stickers didn't make me sad!

When I finished the build I really, really wanted to build the race car option but I loved my little buggy and didn't want to deconstruct it (you WILL need the Lego Tool to strip a Technic kit back and they aren't included in the small kits).  So, as this was a lower priced kit I just bit the bullet and bought another one.  The instructions for the race car option are downloadable in .pdf format from Lego and at no additional charge.

The car build is fun but I was disappointed the suspension bar is not incorporated in to it as I love that piece.  Still, it gives me a spare for if I ever want to try and create my own vehicle (or whatever) from scratch.

Number Of Pieces: 117

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.07

Build Time:
Buggy - 0.75 Hours
Race car - 0.75 Hours

 

Lego Nissan GT-R NISMO 76896

 Although I don't drive I have a thing about cars, no idea why but I do.  My previous exerience with Lego cars was they were blocky and not particularly realistic looking but that goes back to the early 1980s (how I wish I still had those kits!) and things have certainly moved on a long way.

When the other half saw this one he immediately wanted it cos the GT-R was one of his favoured vehicles in a computer game (he did say which one but I can't remember now).  I have to admit when I saw the box images I was keen to build it as it did look really good.  Have to admit, I was NOT disappointed in the finished product.  Nice and roomy for your mini figures and easy to get them in and out too which did surprise me.

As expected the build instructions are nice and clear and the bricks fit together super easily.  Only real downside for me was the number of stickers (some of them are really small and fiddly) but that's because I genuinely suck at placing them.

Would be a good kit for younger builders as well as car enthusiasts.

Number Of Pieces: 298

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.06

Build Time: 1.25 Hours

 

Lego Diagon Alley 75978

 This is the largest set I have tackled to date, by quite some way and I was a little nervous about it just because of the size.  The fact that each book refers to one particular set of shops makes it easy to have a natural break off point.  So much so, I split this build over 4 days and it is a good job I did as there were some spots that challenged me and I probably would have made a right old mess of things if I had tried to "push it".

I really enjoyed all the little details inside the shops that really bring the sets to life.  I kept gasping as I built things because of the detail they added.  So much so I think I drove the other half up the proverbial wall - he just kept telling me "Yes, I know, I've watched a build video".

I'm not a big fan of stickers and there are a LOT of stickers in this build.  This is particularly true for Book 4, I felt like I spent ages trying to line everything up nice and neatly and I am actually surprised that I got most of them pretty accurate with only a smidge of unpeeling going on.  Was well worth it though as the finished product looks really good in my display cabinet - storefront side to the mirror at the back so you can see inside all the stores.    The storefronts themselves I really liked as well but I had to make a display decision and this seemed the best way.

I thoroughly enjoyed the build itself even if I did have issues with the chair/table arrangement on top of the Ice Cream Parlour and also with the Weasley hat lifting figure.  Not too keen on the wall clipping in to place behind it either as my fingers really struggled clipping it into place.  Got there in the end with both of them and only the figure problems seemed to be a a build issue.  The chair/table problem does seem to be a placement issue that you need to work around for yourself although I have seen it completed as per the manual image.

Number Of Pieces: 5,544

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.07

Build Time:
Book 1 - Ollivander's and Scribbulus - 5.25 Hours
Book 2 - Quality Quidditch Supplies and Daily Prophet - 4 Hours
Book 3 - Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and Flourish and Blotts - 5.75 Hours
Book 4 - Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and Knockturn Alley entrance - 7.5 Hours

 

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes

 

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and Flourish and Blotts

 

Quality Quidditch Supplies and The Daily Prophet

 

Ollivander's and Scribbulus

 

Latest Build

 Well, if you were paying attention on my last post you will have seen what I'm working on.  It's this:

Started the build on Monday and I am now halfway through Weasley's Wizard wheezes and hoping to finish that build today (Thursday), especially as it is back to work tomorrow!

Having a great deal of fun with it which is why I am stretching it out over so many days to be honest.  It is also the largest kit I've tackled and far more intricate than you would think for a row of shop fronts.

My Lego Workspace

 Room is short in a terraced house so I build in the Living Room and we have left the dining table permanently up in the middle of the room pushed up against the TV stand.  Works well as the TV stand top is level with the table.  What doesn't work as well is the fact the table is a Black Ash effect finish (so 1980's and it is!) so not the best surface for building on.  The other half's bright idea was to get a cheap white tablecloth to act as both a cushion on the surface and for a better contrast with the bricks.  I couldn't get one at the local supermarket but what I did get was a single bed loose sheet, works just as well don't you think:

Of course, when working on a big build I often run out of room, this was especially an issue with the Roller Coaster so the other half dug out an old collapsible table he bought 10+ years ago.  It is meant as outdoor furniture but has been languishing unused under the stairs ever since.  Makes a great resting spot for the unopened bags and other bits and bobs whilst on a build.  Also works great of the boy wants to build at the same time as me and I am on a big build so swamping the main table, he just throws an old sheet over the surface to stop smaller elements falling through the slats and he can build too.

Yes, that is a headlamp on top of my current build manual.  The energy saving bulbs in the living room give an orange light that isn't particularly bright so can make distinguishing similar coloured bricks difficult.  A problem I encountered on my current build.  My other half had picked this head torch up for cheap, cheap at the local supermarket in preparation for putting the bins out in the darker months that are about to hit.  Think he has now lost it to me for my builds.  Strangely comfortable to wear and frees both hands up to sort and build in a way using your mobile phone's flashlight doesn't.

So, with two of us building that means a lot of boxes, spare bricks and build manuals flying around.  I had already bought an assortment of ziplock and clip seal food bags from the supermarket along with some typewriter labels with that in mind.  Well, with breaking the kits back down in mind but we have been finding creative display solutions so we don't have to break anything up.  Decided that now we have so much it isn't practical to keep the boxes as they were just taking the bedroom over.  So, all the manuals and spare bits go in a handy plastic box (as you can see we need another one) and all the empty boxes get broken flat and stored in boxes from my larger builds:

Not a perfect system by any means but it is a work in progress!

Lego Super Mario

 After a full day of building, literally 13 Hours split between 2 of us of actual building and not including food and relaxation breaks, we finally got all the bits assembled but didn't have time to set a course up.

So far we have only built one course (I say we, I mean the boy) but it did give us a LOT of ideas for future course builds.  That all depends on us grabbing the big clear tub that it is all stuffed in.  Far too much of it to put on display so we've packed it all up in to bags and bought a tub to house it in:

It is a hella big tub but there is room for a few more bits and bobs in there, roll on Cycle Two!

So, how did our first mega-course turn out?  Take a look: