Potions, Baby!! WooHoo!
May. 3rd, 2024 04:11 amWe have more pix from the summer 2024 wave lego Harry Potter 76431 Hogwarts Castle: Potions Class - 397 pieces ($40)! Including a peek at the set folded together... The rear of the box gives us one look at it; the last picture here shows how it would slot into the 76435 Great Hall set. What to note about it: unlike the lavatory and the Hufflepuff Common Room, the set is then closed when folded together. The door can face outwards, however, so it isn't that it doesn't make sense, but it effectively can only be viewed or played with when it is not in the Great Hall set. given the number of people who complain about the inaccessibility or unplayablity (that's totally a word) of the 2021+ modular sets, I think I can predict that will meet with some displeasure. In as much as it won't collect as much dust, I can't say I mind it too much. The sliding feature means the modules are easily removed, the primary issue there is most of the ones they've designed are too open and prone to dust collecting, and storage of the modules is going to be an issue, particularly as they aren't stackable.
There are two 1 x 3 flat tiles on the centre base plate, presumably the opposite side we can't see uses the 1 x 3 jumper plate with two studs. This permits us to anchor the workbenches in a fashion that's easily removed to push it forward or set them off to the side for easier access for play.
There's a clip visible in the ingredients bench that doesn't make too much sense unless it's used to anchor the bench when the set is folded closed. There's a section of brick extending out from one of the arches to the left of the centre plate. On the box front art, it holds the new yellow flask piece, although that's more clearly visible in the first set up of the set somewhat further below. Snape's lectern rests on these bricks when the classroom is folded together. I don't believe it's used to hold the folded set closed, because I think it would need to extend into the massive cauldron's space to do so. That cauldron definitely seems brick built. I'm wondering why that was deemed preferable to the large cauldron piece they have?



Love Hermione trying to hand Snape a flower to try to get him to ignore the ten extra inches she included in her assignment. Love his "the hell is this?" look even more. 😆 (Anna Arvensis had no more luck with that than Hermione will.) For shame, Hermione! Bribery is thoroughly inappropriate. You could always just follow the instructions, you know... Just saying. (Swots unite!)
In addition to the new flasks and explosion / smoke pieces, I really like that they're giving us spiders in so many of the sets and in different colours. That will really make the Aragog scene, and it's such a small thing to do. Here it serves to both highlight the dungeoniness of the classroom or as an ingredient, if need be. I think that's great. 😃

There are two 1 x 3 flat tiles on the centre base plate, presumably the opposite side we can't see uses the 1 x 3 jumper plate with two studs. This permits us to anchor the workbenches in a fashion that's easily removed to push it forward or set them off to the side for easier access for play.
There's a clip visible in the ingredients bench that doesn't make too much sense unless it's used to anchor the bench when the set is folded closed. There's a section of brick extending out from one of the arches to the left of the centre plate. On the box front art, it holds the new yellow flask piece, although that's more clearly visible in the first set up of the set somewhat further below. Snape's lectern rests on these bricks when the classroom is folded together. I don't believe it's used to hold the folded set closed, because I think it would need to extend into the massive cauldron's space to do so. That cauldron definitely seems brick built. I'm wondering why that was deemed preferable to the large cauldron piece they have?



Love Hermione trying to hand Snape a flower to try to get him to ignore the ten extra inches she included in her assignment. Love his "the hell is this?" look even more. 😆 (Anna Arvensis had no more luck with that than Hermione will.) For shame, Hermione! Bribery is thoroughly inappropriate. You could always just follow the instructions, you know... Just saying. (Swots unite!)
In addition to the new flasks and explosion / smoke pieces, I really like that they're giving us spiders in so many of the sets and in different colours. That will really make the Aragog scene, and it's such a small thing to do. Here it serves to both highlight the dungeoniness of the classroom or as an ingredient, if need be. I think that's great. 😃

(no subject)
Date: 2024-05-14 11:32 am (UTC)Of course! This has been a great chat and I'm glad you don't mind. Plus I know ginger has great taste :)
It is absolutely gorgeous here. If you have FB or insta, I'm always posting pictures of nature and animals, particularly of my mum's gardens which are beautiful. I can send you the info if you're interested. If not, totally cool! I occasionally post some pics here :) the allergies here are real but I don't know that I'd be happy somewhere not as pretty. (Tho I grew up in a desert and it has its own beauty!).
I'll upload some pics when I have a chance. You totally need to find a velvet to snuggle. I'm sorry that happened, horses are pure happiness. If you're ever around these parts you could come kiss some noses.
Yeah I did dressage/show jumping/cross country and I miss parts of it. There might be an alternate universe where I was able to pursue equitation on a serious level, but we ended up back in the states rather than me going to boarding school as was the plan (at the time once you reached after 9th grade you had to, I've heard they now have an international high school there but I think a fair amount of expats still do the boarding school thing).
Our Arab wasn't any special line or anything I think, but he was my first love and I "blame" him for no one else measuring up ;) and not in a creepy way.
Our girls are all creeping up in age. I'd say Butterfly is probably about 20, and the other two at least 15 I think? We don't really have full history on anyone but Butterfly. Bobbi was obviously a brood mare for a while at least, and passed through a fair few hands. It's obvious she was raised well and trained well at some point though. Jumana was abandoned in a field by someone who went to prison, I think, and she was by herself for something like 5 years . The guy who owned the field offered her to us after we lost our gelding and Butterfly had her diagnosis, so mum and I hadn't been able to ride together. She also was obviously well trained at some point. But we had a lot of trauma to resolve with her. She is a really good girl now, but there were a lot of issues for several years.
(no subject)
Date: 2024-05-15 06:15 am (UTC)Ginger is one of the most astute people I've ever know, and I'm glad we got to finally chat a bit. I look forward to more fun! I do have instagram thing, haven't been on it in I don't know how long? To keep info safe & private, you can share stuff through Ginger so we can connect outside of Ginger's Lego posts. LOL! If she can tell me where to go, I'll connect with you there. 😊
I SOOOO need to nuzzle a velvety nose, there is Nothing quite like it to soothe my soul. I love pretty much all critters, but horses have a special place.
Those AU's are always interesting in concept, and I too sometimes wish I had stayed back East & continued equitation. But, if I had, I wouldn't have my hubby of 35 years, my kids, or have met all of the incredible people & critters I've known here. That would be a tremendous loss.
Once you meet your 1st horse love, it's difficult to find more that fit in that tight circle. And the only reason I mentioned their bloodlines, was to share that mine were not tied to the messed up insanity that has happened in the US breeding programs. I deliberately searched for lines that had consistent intelligence & athleticism. I didn't buy into whatever lines were All the rage at that time, couldn't have cared less about the hype, I wanted horses that had the brains to learn and grow With me.
Hopefully you'll still have plenty of years to love on them, mine made it into their late 20's to mid 30's. The health issues can affect that though, but I sincerely hope not.
Ahhh, the beautiful babies who've faced & moved beyond trauma hold a special place too, those were my favorites who moved through my life.