Kicks and Bricks Overpelt 2016

While I couldn`t attend this convention from our friends at OLBC myself, that didn`t stop me from sending out one of my "reporters" to the event.

As such, collague board member Kris made the journey to Overpelt and brought back the following pictures, all in the spirit of growing a bit closer towards each other and possible future "joint ventures".

The entry ot the event, just walk through the Kicks and Bricks banner.

There was a contest for the children.  On all the exhibits, 10 kings where hidden that are also shown on this page.  If they could find them and guess the bonus question, they could win a LEGO set.  A great idea for sure to have the children gaze over all the builds with intrest!

Of course, the first thing to visit are the Star Wars builds!

Some large sculptures where present.

A few Lego city lay outs could be seen.

A japanese temple complete with samurai.

But those weren`t the only Castle era builds on show.

Friends, always putting a smile on faces with their colourfull builds

A large ball machine

The Lego Movie range was shown as well next to the cool cardboard cut-outs

There was also a large carnival layout, with a variety of attractions on display, with a lot of the attractions being motorized.

Minifigures from a variety of ranges where on display in the infamous "Ikea method" of display.

Wild west, as the indians plan an attack on a cavalry fortress.

The VW van in many shapes and guides.

Mosaics and pixel art.

For the kids, there was also a corner full with LEGO videogames.  Though I wouldn`t put my hand in the fire and say only kids have been playing ;-)

And so my visit ended to this lovely convention, where I had a couple of great chats with people like Alex, the club president of OLBC.

Golfmeleon aka Kris

Kris talks Brick Mania Antwerpen

Less then a week to go and our boardmember Kris, co-organiser of Brick Mania Antwerpen, tells us what we can expect at the convention.

But he also tells us a bit about what LEGO means to him.

So in a total scoop, we can already show you the interview which will air on ATV, the local television channel, tomorrow!

Things to remember for Brick Mania Antwerp!

Less then a week before our last show of 2016 takes place, in the Waagnatie in Antwerpen.

Remember that both of the current Club Projects lay-outs will be on display, so if you have a Time Traveller module prepared, or build one of those cute habitat modules for "Mijn Hobby", bring them along and join in!

If you still want to build one, not a problem either, just take a look at our "Club Projects" tab above to find all the guidelines for those two particular lay-out builds!

BeLUG @ Skillzcon 2016

Today a small delegation from BeLUG, consisting of Inge, Wilfried, Tom G. and myself attended Skillzcon to spread the love for LEGO.

Located nearby Leuven, this is a more localised event, which was rather nifty.  That way, you get to meet the (mostly gamer) scene of the area.

The hall was roomy and well-lit, and we had a nice selection of local traders, some clubs, artisans and gamers.

Our booth

The event had some activities like a quiz you played with an app of your smartphone.  We had someone ending 3rd... and if that person had listened to what TARDIS stands for, or which war was fought in 1937...

But the great thing was this gave some of us a chance to relax, and others a chance for a nice face-to-face talk, something that just doesn`t come to pass at Brick Mania`s or larger cons.

It was a lovely day, I think they had about 50 to 100 visitors over the whole event, which I estimate that it will gradually rise over the years... and the fact the big MCM Comic Con was this weekend didn`t do any good either of course.

What to do this weekend?

If you are looking for some event to visit during the weekend of 5 and 6 november, look no further.

OLBC, one of the Belgian RLUG's, is holding it's Kicks and Bricks event in Overpelt.  The adress and all are on the poster:

I already saw some pictures on Facebook of some of their creations, and I must say I liked what I saw!

If comic and games cons are more your thing, you can find yours truly together with some more BeLUG members at the second edition of Skillzcon on saturday.  A smaller scale event then the 3k events like StarCom, I`ll bring you a full report tomorrow evening (or sunday morning perhaps, depending how knackered I`ll be).

 Check our Agenda tab for more events in the future!

The Road to Brick Mania Antwerpen

As many have heard or read, Antwerp is currently an obstacle course, and with the two crucial junctions to the Waagnatie closed for traffic, it might look like an adventure.

But thanks to Andre Van Gils, from the Tin Soldiers of Antwerp wargame club (I was a member there years ago), I got permission to use his directions to Crisis 2016, the event taking place the saturday before BMA at the same venue.

So let me give the word to Andre for guiding you to the Waagnatie:

All roads lead to Crisis 2016
Allow me to take you by the hand and lead you to the event
Map by Map you will get closer. First a general overview of all the roads from East, West, South and North

Now lets take a closer look. First the advice for the wise men (and women) meaning those that come from the East.
When hitting the ringroad of Antwerp you can choose to go North or South. Do NOT, I repeat do NOT drive straight into town. It would be fun to do so but you will be on your own
You can also see that going South you will eventually bejoining up with those coming from the tropical region, the South (those that lost the Civil War) and those that come from the West (Brexit region)

But lets first focus on the Northern route. There the wise men (and women) will be joined by the Northern People (the vikings and Hägar)
Coming from the ring road you need to take the exit A12 direction of Bergen op Zoom. This also applies for those of you coming via the E19 from Breda. Also exit A12 direction Bergen op Zoom
Those coming from the North (from Bergen op Zoom) you stay on that route until you meet your brethren.

Both (coming from opposite directions) need to take the exit Ekeren. Coming from ring road or E19 this is the first exit you encounter on the A12, those from Bergen op Zoom it is exit nr 16
Please make sure you take exit Ekeren, I repeat Ekeren
This exit will place you on the famous "Noorderlaan"

Now lets assume we haven't lost you yet. You are on the Noorderlaan. There on the second traffic lights (I hope I counted correctly), you turn right. Right is the other side of left. If you would turn left there you would be at one of the major hubs of the local police. Going to ask directions there for something to do with Wargaming would not be a good idea.
To make thing easy, you turn right at the Esso petrol station, just before it.
Once you then cross a railway line (single track) you turn left. This is simply to put you politically correct again.

 Ok you are now on a parallel road of the already mentioned "Noorderlaan". You are doing great. Just follow that road until the next junction with traffic lights. Here again you will have to turn right and cross a bridge. If not your feet or tires will get wet.

You are almost there. Crossing that first bridge was easy as it is fixed. At the bottom (traffic lights again) you turn right again. this one sometimes needs to open to let ships pass. If so you can go to the restaurant at the right hand side (called Pomphouse) and forget all about Crisis as you will no longer have sufficient funds (expensive restaurant)
Once you cross the second bridge you continue holding slightly left and just follow that route. At the end you will again cross a smaller bridge and see to your right Walhalla.

Either you park before that little bridge somewhere or continue just beyond the venue to the next traffic light and turn right to park your car. After that, just follow the flock or herd.
You have arrived

Now lets focus on our friends from West and South a little.
First the Western Boys (and girls). They can arrive coming from the E19 (Gent / Brugge) or E34 (Knokke, the rich ones)
The latter have a choice (actually both have). They can drive straight into town using the old Imalso Tunnel (called Rabit Pipe)

If they choose not to do this they (the E34 guys) can join the E19 guys and dive into the Kennedy tunnel.
Both will get you to the right bank of the river, what we call the right side of the river, as opposed to the wrong side

Those animal lovers, meaning the ones that chose the Rabit Pipe, will emerge in the middle of town and have to make a U turn to get back to the river side.
The way to do this is the turn left on the "Boulevar" (road with trees and again make a left turn into the "Ankerrui"
Once you have succesfully completed that difficult move you just continue until you can not go any further. At that point you turn right and continue to the spot where you are free to spend all you dubloons.

Parking can be found at the venue or a little beyond a little bridge.
The venue will be marked clearly with the lettres forming the event : CRISIS

Now let those Western and Southern guys come together.
As shared already the gamers coming from the West will exit the Kennedy tunnel and need to take the first exit for Antwerp Centre.
(me thinks nr 5a, but not sure)

Those that come from the South, can come via the A12 from Boom and just drive straight into the centre joining up the ones that come from the West.
Those coming from Brussels using the E19, need to go into the Lode Craeybeckx tunnel (hope not closed for maintenance) and get onto the Ring Road direction of Gent. Do NOT drive straight into town.
Once on the ring road you will meet the wise men that came from the East and chose to drive to the South. You both take the first exit, so simply keep right and you will meet your friends from the West and A12

 

This picture just shows the detail of that exit and where you can start waving at the other ones.
Please do not do this, keep your hands on the steering wheel

When you have taken the exit you will need to bear right to ensure you can join the inner ring road, called "Singel".
On the left hand side you will see the Courthouse. It has a shape of a ship with Sails. I know it requires some imagination but you can do that, can't you ?
Anyway, If you find your selves going underneath that building you're lost. Take the next left on traffic lights and hope for the best.

So for those that managed to stay right you will arrive at a junction with the "Singel", with traffic lights. here you need take a left turn.

This "Singel" will take you past the Courthouse main entrance. If you can see that you are almost where you want to be. Well done !!!
Just continue until a T-junction with traffic lights again and take a right turn.

You are now on the road next to the river. Just follow this one due North until you notice the venue clearly marked out.
Get rid of your car and come join us.

 Finally, please find also here the route to Crisis for those of you who are staying in some of the hotels

So there you go.  Mind you, the references to Crisis and other wargame terms is due to the fact that because I could use Andre's description and road maps, I found it only fitting that they received some publicity in return.

Want to know more about the Tin Soldiers of Antwerp and the Crisis wargames show?  Visit their website or the event page on Facebook