Looking back and forward too

 

I don’t really do reviews of the previous year or plans but l thought I might briefly change that, for once.

Looking back 2025 was the year of Bolt Action. We played it a lot, I collected diverse armies for it and it featured heavily in my games. I got my 28mm Home Guard, 1940 French, Germans even Swiss! I continued to buy figures for A Very British Civil War. I love the imagination and fun of the period, the joy of creating “fluff” and diverse units.I enjoyed painting them all, on the whole, not to mention making army lists. It was addictive in a good way. I really enjoyed the inspiration of the weekly Virtual Wargames Club meetings. A fine bunch of hobby folk ever ready with advice, support and puns, thank you one and all!  I finally got the garden railway set up and ran the train, once , but at least I did it! It was good to game regularly with my regular opponents and I enjoyed their company, hospitality and  games immensely. It was great also to command the 1790s Duchy of Tradgardland forces against those of the Duke of Albion aka Ronnie. Finally l really enjoyed reading all your blogs , commenting there and reading your comments here. Blogging has brought me much joy over the years.

Now onto this year 2026-

1. Finish existing figures rather than buying,buying all the time.
2. Down size collection to Charity and/or interested individuals.
3. Finish those Late 15th Germans for dbm , its been way too long 
4. Meet the Duke of Albion on the battlefield more often as well as Jacobite games.
5. Use my rebased syw collection 
6. Game more with 54mm old toy soldiers and paint/repair some.
7. Scratch build houses from foam core , balsa , coffee stirrers etc.
8. More solo games set up and played
9. Regularly game with regular opponents 
10. Have fun with the hobby
11. Get the garden railway running more

So here are my thoughts, not a hobby straight jacket or personal tyranny but just some ideas. I’ve missed out much both looking back and looking forward but not bad for 07:00 on New Years Day.

Here’s to another hobby year ahead! 🎉

New Year

                                          Happy New Year from all at The Duchy of Tradgardland !

Off the painting desk

 Still mainly at home due to family circumstances so  l finished these-

Some transport etc for 1930s French. Two tanks at the back and transport for two sections at the front. Resin from Etsy or EBay, can’t recall. There are a couple of sections of French dragoons to accompany the transport which need painted.

The first of my 60 mm Egyptians completed. They will be an opponent for my Minoans. Whilst going for simple basing l added a few rocks and grassy tufts. The figures are resin and printed for me.

Boxing Day’s Boxing Day.

 Christmas Day was different from planned but l spent a quiet and good one at home with mu daughter. Boxing Day saw us able to pop down to my youngest’s for a meal. Middle daughter is moving forward.

Some pictures-

I received some lovely and thoughtful gifts from the family and Secret Santa.

Sitting on post box nearby and spotted on Boxing Day en route to my youngest’s house.

The painting table this morning, 28mm figure for scale.

Coming along nicely after breakfast today. 

Big trouble in little Tradgardistan…

 There’s a bit of bother brewing. Intelligence has told the Tradgardistan authorities that the local chaps have got hold of a rather nifty addition to their forces. There may be trouble ahead..

Local chaps admiring their new purchase. Very cheap from a fellow with a Russian accent.

A few driving lessons later the Russian departs leaving an enthusiastic bunch of chaps in and outside the armoured car.  I fear mischief lies ahead…

Footnotes-

The armoured car was a kind gift from Eric , many thanks. I put it somewhere safe and just couldn’t find it  until l chanced upon it the other day. Thankfully rediscovered it has been a delightful thing to paint and get ready for the tabletop.

Readers new to the backstory to Tradgardistan follow the link at the bottom of the post to find out more.

A wee Christmas present to myself was a packet of downed pilots by Empress miniatures. I look forward to them arriving in the post after Christmas…

Christmas Greetings

 

                Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine here at the Duchy of Tradgardland!

One of my favourite Christmas Carols-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cOF9JLJkPis

In the Duchy of Tradgardland the ski troops and accompanying sledge borne artillery patrol throughout the long winter months ensuring the safety of  all!

M. .l

Goblin Green or Alpine Meadow?

 I finished the Swiss this morning.

Simple base colour used - is it Goblin Green or lush alpine meadow , you decide…

I have padded out the Swiss with some Copplestone and random figures to represent a Swiss Home Guard unit. As for the resin prints l have major reservations. My resin French were charming, immaculate prints, I want to say castings, force of habit l guess. However the Swiss have strange twisted limbs, huge hands , odd poses and tiny rifles. I was going to send them back but realised there are no other 28mm Swiss available that l know of on the market. So I ran with them. A combination of painting and not peering too closely afterwards has worked ok.

The tanks were a different matter. The panzer 39’s are crisp models and a joy to paint. I finished them like the infantry with a coat of gloss varnish, please don’t faint.

Now to get them on the table in a wee game…