Easter

Happy Easter to you and yours from all in the Duchy of Tradgardland.

A day out...

I went by train with my eldest daughter to Edinburgh today .We saw a splendid exhibition at the Queen's Gallery at Holyrood Palace  ( http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/exhibitions/in-fine-style-the-art-of-tudor-and-stuart-fashion ) on Tudor and Stuart fashion. On the way in I couldn't resist this photo opportunity

If in Edinburgh do pop in and see the exhibition it is fantastic...

Everyone's (well some) are talking about...

There has been some discussion over at Emperor v Elector recently about 18th Century imaginations interacting -
http://emperor-elector.blogspot.co.uk
When I began blogging around 7/8 years ago this blog was solely concerned with 18th century imagineering and gaming.Involvement with a Jacobite invasion amongst other conceits were splendid fun.The blog changed course  a little as  I have strayed off into all types of gaming here and don't regret t one little bit.I have had great fun and "met" so many splendid chaps in the Ether- it has been a ball!

It has left me with a desire to interact once more with other imaginations in the 18th century (and other periods too I might add) with increased vigour. Exchange of ambassadors,generals,map  campaigns etc seem to be a fun idea- so who wants to take part?I already have some "guests" who need to be located in the lead mountain,dusted off and brought into play...
Let me know what you think...

Frozen Herring Wars 2 - A 19th C Square Brigadier game...

A lone elk stands in the forests of Norroway unaware of what is about to happen...

The Academy Sharpshooters (from Lurland) find the snow a little taxing for their bicycles ...

The Lurland postion- note General on hilltop and Foot Life Guards to the right.

The Norroway troops advance and the aforementioned elk slips away into hiding...

Conversions and Maneuvers

Painting up some Airfix Guards ( Thanks Ross)as Lurland/Danish foot guard  for my winter scenario last night combined with the images from my last post reminded me of an idea I had wanted to do for ages...
to game something with the feel of Little Wars and Edwardian field  maneuvers.This I feel I could do with Ross's Square Brigadier Rules and some Airfix/plastic chaps on a card table. I want to field Guards,Household Cavalry as well as units like the as well as Yeomanry and Territorial chaps including cyclists.An Edwardian Splendour indeed - Britains in 1/72 and plastic is the look I am after.Any suggestions for figures/conversions?

Farewell Winter Quarters

A Spring day in the garden and a chance for the cavalry to exercise their  horses.
The cavalry anticipate a glorious year ahead..

Gardening

Visitors to this blog may have noted that this was the state of the Ducal gardens in February-

Here is a picture of how they are now-as a result of much work by Jan & and myself over the intervening weeks-

Raised beds added,stones laid down to form a path and our Oak tree placed in a basket at the centre.The next photo is looking the opposite way-

Next steps are to buy the vegetable seeds,plant them,watch them grow,tend them and wait for the harvest...