Lego Hogwarts Castle 71043

 Knowing how large the finished piece is I put off building this set for several months as finding somewhere to display it was proving to be tricky.  I finally got something figured out and couldn't wait to start building this set.  I am still completely obsessed with Harry Potter and it is this theme that drew me back in to Lego as an adult needing to fill time during the first Lockdown.  That spiralled quite rapidly and led to this beauty becoming mine.

This is one of those sets that does benefit from lighting.  The stained glass windows are so beautiful lit up and I am actually contemplating rigging something up for the display.  I was really surprised at the sheer level of detail in this model, especially as it is micro figure size.  The nods to each of the Harry Potter movies is impressive but The Chamber Of Secrets is my favourite scene representation.

Going in to the build I was not sure about the micro figure proportions.  I am converted!  This may be as I build primarily for display but because it is such a small scale it means you can get a lot more detail in the build without it becoming prohibitively expensive or ridculously large.  I was surprised that even with the smaller scale there is a lot of architectural and furnishing detailing; admittedly some is created by stickers but I can live with that now I have a sticker fixing system in place that means they usually look okay.

I fell in love with the box for this build and was worried I wouldn't enjoy the build or the finished item as I had probably got myself over excited about it.  The build was a wonderful experience - All 8 movies got played whilst I built and then I had to resort to the audiobooks as the films finished before I did!  The finished item lives in my bedroom and it makes my heart sing and a grin break out every time I look it.

Number Of Pieces: 6020

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.06

Build Time: 18.5 Hours

 

Hogwarts Castle Details 3

 

Hogwarts Castle Details 2

 

Hogwarts Castle Details 1

 

Lego Golden Mech 71702

Well, it is official, I have definitely got a problem with both Ninjago and the Mechs.  I'm not sure which is worse the actual theme lure or the need to build mech after mech.

This was a really fun build and I was seriously impressed with how it turned out.  The strange coolie hat/shield for a head piece works really well and really does draw the eye even when he is crammed on to a small shelf.

The build has some repetition in technique and overall brick placement.  This is to be suspected as you do need to mirror image appendages.  Fortunately with the mechs it doesn't become boring as you know what you are getting when you open the box.  Plus you knwo that the Lego Design Team switch up the techniques so no two mechs are ever constructed in the same way.  I really appreciate that level of detail and thought about the end user.

Number Of Pieces: 489

Approximate Price Per Piece: RETIRED PRODUCT

Build Time: 1.25 Hours

Lego Haunted Fairground 70432

 There is just something about the Hidden Side theme that really puts a smile on my face and this addition is no exception.  Admittedly, I am probably biased as I have been attracted to anything vaguely horror related since my teenage years and the combination of kitschy cute and horror just make this theme for me.

Some unusual build techniques in this little set as well.  Particularly the clown figure at the top of the "chute" ride.  Takes quite a bit of force to get the cart to the top and activate the mechanism to show the spooky clown face but it is do-able and once you have the knack it is easy enough to trigger each time.  The build is nice and sturdy once completed and stood up to quite a protracted play period.

For once, I did not use any of the posessed options for the minifigures.  Apart from Parker and his gang the main characters for the Fairground are clowns.  Yes, like you need a scary option when you already have CLOWNS!

Overall a great building experience and a lot of play value even if you do not have the app (and I don't).

Number Of Pieces: 466

Approximate Price Per Piece: RETIRED PRODUCT

Build Time: 1.5 Hours

 

Lego Skull Sorcerer's Dungeons 71722

 This is one of those kits that I did not go with an intention of purchasing, it was the a combination of the pack art and the fact it linked with 3 other sets to make one large game that did it for me.  I have still not figured out how to play the game BUT I do know that these sets look absolutely phenomenal on display together.

The detailing on this particular build is incredible.  Yes, it looks great from the front but the rear is chock full of little rooms including an actual jail cell and a spell room for the Skull Sorcerer himself.  I was surprised at the level of detail to the back of the build and am still trying to think of a way it can be seen on display but haven't figured that out yet.

Definitely designed to play with and comes with a good selection of minifigures.  I admit that I love all the Ninjago figures, especially the bad guys.  They just add so much to a display, let alone the play value.

Number Of Pieces: 1171

Approximate Price Per Piece: £0.08

Build Time: 4.25 Hours

 

Lego Lloyd's Titan Mech 70676

 I don't know what it is about the Mechs but I am seriously obsessed with them.  Doesn't matter what Lego Theme they belong to if it is a Mech figure I always want it.  Yes, I am busy avoiding the Monkie King theme as I am aware there are some mechs tucked away in there.

I managed to pick this up for a really good deal at the local supermarket - got to love those end of aisle deal shelves.  I readily admit that it was an impulse purchase but by the time I saw him I already had quite a substantial Ninjago collection uilding up so as soon as I saw it into my trolley he went.

Yes, there is a lot of repetition in a Mech build but you know that will be the case going in.  This one was still a lot of fun to build and watching him come thogether was an intersting experience.  The finished figure is also surprisingly large and only just fits on my shelving unit if I collapse the wings a little bit.

Definitely an impressive figure.

Number Of Pieces: 876

Approximate Price Per Piece: RETIRED PRODUCT

Build Time: 2.75 Hours