We Three Kings- my favourite carol

 

Original Lyrics by By Reverend John H. Hopkins, Jr.

We Three Kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain,
Moor and mountain,
Following yonder Star.

Chorus:
O Star of Wonder, Star of Night,
Star with Royal Beauty bright,
Westward leading,
Still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect Light.

[Gaspard]
Born a King on Bethlehem plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King for ever,
Ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

(Chorus)

[Melchior]
Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh:
Prayer and praising
All men raising,
Worship Him God on High.

(Chorus)

[Balthazar]
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;–
Sorrowing, sighing,
Bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

(Chorus)

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King, and God, and Sacrifice;
Heav’n sings Hallelujah:
Hallelujah the earth replies.

(Chorus)

Manus O’Cahan’s , Sealed Knot and Willie Figures

 Last year l bought quite a lot of Willie Figures on EBay. I wondered what to do with them and mused about painting them in the uniforms of the Sealed Knot , circa 1979.

Uniform information from the current Sealed Knot website. Note Manus O’Cahan’s in the first picture.

Brigadier Peter Young’s ECW organisation, the one being used in this project.

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The pikemen of O’Cahan’s regiment in brown breeches and green jackets.

The Duke of Tradgardland in his O’Cahan’s days- a pikeman btw.

O’Cahan’s camping. Is that a reader of this blog on the right hand side?

Guard duty at the camp entrance.

The young pikeman resplendent…

O’Cahan’s pikemen drilling, have a care…

The enemy (?) King’s Guard and Rupert’s Blue Coats.

Watch this space for further figure updates etc…

Shiny versus Shiny Grimy People

 Got the Airfix Space Warriors out today. Gave two a paint wash then varnish and two just a varnish. Hence the grimy shiny v shiny . Here are the results-

                                                                    Grimy and shiny.

                                                                              Just shiny.

The figures side by side for comparison purposes.

I think I favour the grimy and shiny as it brings out some detail on the figures. What do you think?

In other matters currently got these 60mm Egyptians and Nubians on the painting desk-

Coming along rather nicely, not particularly good photo though.

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.