Svelte

Congratulations! I hope you are very happy together! What a happy day! Oh wait... you didn't say 'wife', did you? *whispering to crew* If it's a special Wusthof, maybe it's from the kitchen. I don't know why somebody would borrow it without my permission, but on the other hand I haven't noticed anything missing. Perhaps I should take a look?

Well, at least on EB. Not even 7680 The Twilight fared so badly in the polls! I don't mind the new flick-fire piece; at least it looks like it is designed to be easily removable rather than having the mechanism built into the structure of the set itself.

Well I hope the driver packed some dry ice for atmosphere Yay, we're on our way!

I thought it would be rude to serve dinner before your host arrived... but that rabbit won't stay juicy forever. And from the way those guys are knocking back the booze, it may be best to line their stomachs. So anyone that wants dinner may have it - if you haven't filled up on waffles already.

Thanks for another great review, with lovely pics This set is even more disappointing than I thought That lack of handlebars is truly terrible. The only good part is the gold dino, but even that isn't enough to make me want this set. Agents 2.0 seems wildly erratic, with some really great stuff (such as Robo Attack) thrown in with the truly terrible. Last year, the designers showed us they could do small, detailed, cool vehicles (like all the ones in the Mobile Command Center), but these Technic bikes are just variations on the same idea we've seen in Mars Mission and Power Miners. Thanks again Oky!

Lovely entry, but doesn't it violate the maximum of 3 pics rule? Or does that not count for staff entries?

Good point! What is the freeze ray? Who is frenzied?

Zis indeed smells like a mystery from one of those murder books I am always reading! I particularly like the works of Agatha Christie. Did you know, Hercule Poirot is the most famous Belgian of all time? It makes my half-Belgian heart swell with pride to know that our most famous countryman is so beloved around the world! Even if he isn't actually real. Pah! Keep your ninety-six sided die, Klangon slang and sinful thoughts about boulders to yourselves. An intellectually-stimulating book club is the way to keep yourself entertained on the long, gaslit nights aboard the Emerald Express! I would participate too, if I wasn't so busy... cooking waffles.

According to the inventories, 7079 includes this fig: There's not a great deal that's new apart from the fab minifigs. Some new bits in dark brown for 7097 but too much dark bley to really coordinate with last year's sets, at least to my way of thinking. Looking at the fig price guides, the Troll Witch and Troll King have already sold for $US25 each

Waffles, waffles, all anybody wants is waffles I should have skipped my intensive years of culinary training in Paris and just moved to Omaha and opened a waffle house. Here, take a waffle. Waffles for everybody! Let's just hope I packed enough dry ingredients to last the journey, or things could get nasty. Murderously nasty, even. *starts munching defiantly on an eel*

Woo! The reviews commence! Great review, really nice pics. Thanks Oky! The set itself isn't doing much for me but I am loving these SP aliens!

Sorry - I only meant from the list of characters we already know about Have a complimentary ROFL-Waffle, on the house.

Mon Dieu! Staff do not get to taste ze leftovers menu until *after* the passengers have been served. However since I am a caring and patient man, and we have been waiting a little while, I will allow you a waffle. We have several types here - organic, gluten-free, Canadian Maple and the EB member special ROFL-waffle. Just wash your hands first. And maybe shave. And get a haircut. You look a little disreputable, don't get any of your engine filth on my lovely French table linens, Christofle cutlery and Baccarat crystal candlesticks.

The lad is a lady... and it's not your mysterious hostess Just quietly, I wouldn't mind getting some financial advice, truffles don't grow on trees you know

According to the manifest, we still have one passenger to arrive before orientation begins. In the meantime, enjoy a complimentary waffle courtesy of the Emerald Express management team.

I would imagine it is $AUD150, like the King's Castle Siege. But you know it will be on sale at some point!

How interesting to have such a diverse array of passengers on board who take pleasure in games which exercise, how you say, the little bley cells. I myself have spent too many hours with my nose buried in Nigella Lawson to learn about such things. Whilst we wait for our other passengers, let me quiet those tummy rumblings with a tray of juicy Escargot in garlic. Ah, and here is a tray of drinks and cocktails. Lovely! Superb!

The aliens look amazing but the police seem a little dull. Thanks for the pics and we eagerly await your reviews!

Welcome, welcome to the dining car of the luxurious Emerald Express! I am told the passenger orientation will begin shortly. I am Schmelt Borganson, your five-star chef and ze master of culinary delights aboard this fine engine! I am half-Belgian on my mother's side, which accounts for both my erratic accent and taste for eels. Tonight on the menu we have rabbit in fermented beer shipped from Brussels (lapin à la gueuze), served with a salad of green beans, bacon, onion and vinegar (Salade Liégeoise), and a selection of exquisite and mouthwatering Belgian chocolates for dessert. Wine and drinks are of course available to suit any palate. Vegetarians, omnivarians, fruitarians, breathairians and your typical garden mouth-breathers are kindly requested to make any special menu requests to the dining car one hour prior to normal dinner service. Thanks and velcome again!

How exciting, WhiteFang! Best of luck with your new store! I will be sure to stop in and have a look. Looks like you're getting rid of a few Pirates and Castle extras as well as your MISB stuff

I am vhipping up a special batch of hand-made strawberry icecream to zelebrate everybody's arrifal on ze train tomorrow! It will be red... beautiful rich, deep, dark strawberry red... (Only kidding; I prefer fresh mango ice-cream I eagerly await our departure.)

Great idea, lovely execution. The simple grandstand effect is brilliant!

2 for Hinckley 1 for Erds Great work!

I love that Octuptarra The broom sticking out of the keg-droid is an inspired touch

I think the release schedule now includes one large Exclusive in the Jan slot - last year Town Plan, this year MMV - so it will probably be a different theme next year (just like last year had a Castle Advent and this year has Pirates...) 12 is a lot of sets but if you do colour substitutions and simple mods then you can quickly build up a very beautiful and detailed medieval village. It's also such a great parts pack it's hard not to cannibalise it for something else!