Good news..

As a new week commences I got some good news in the form of a friend saying he is up for the wargames show at Kirriemuir,Angus,Scotland on this coming Saturday - 1st November! I am up for it too.
It is good to go to shows,perhaps converse with others and generally see what inspiring things/games are on offer - food for the wargaming soul and mind... So only six days to go!

Ideas...

Tomorrow sees me return to work after half term. I am pleased with my flag designs which have printed off very well indeed. I have been putting some ideas together for army lists for the writer of the Funnylittlewars rules and have taken some time to consider The Duchy of Tradgardland in 1911 or so. I hope to make an army list and also design suitable flags. I have been aided in this matter by reading the Encyclopedia Britannica of 1911. It is available online and well worth a look.
It has been interesting to imagine what the Duchy would be doing at the start of the 20th Century. I have started writing some ideas/storyline as a file on the Funnylittlewars yahoo group. We shall see where it goes...
Enjoy the rest of the Weekend one and all !
Alan

True colours shining 2

"And so Gentlemen the first of the new flags for our beloved Duchy! Note the Sun in splendour- the sun that shone upon the Golden Herring all those years ago at the start of Tradgardland! The sun that gives us light and warmth,that makes our crops grow. The same sun that like our Risen Lord rises in the East. Note also the motto that talks of the Light of Faith and Reason, the Light of the Heavens and our role as a beacon of Faith,culture and natural philosophy! Behold the product of the hard work and industry of the women of the Court. Gentlemen take these new colours and serve them well - now and always!"

And with a flourish Duke Karl Frederick sits down ,his speech ended and he basks in the thunderous applause and cheering...

p.s flags made with Microsoft paint package and clip art- printed at the library today. There are more to come over the coming days...

True Colours shining...

The women of the Court are near the completion of the new flags for the Duchy Army. They will soon be revealed to the people of Tradgardland and presented to the Army later ...

In the Country

It is a week now since the mysterious Wurm left Tradgardland. It was last seen flying away over the forest having been encouraged upon its way by a battery of field pieces...

Duke Karl Frederick and his Duchess Liv are residing in the forest for a few days away from the pressing matters of State. Their time is spent in a simple hunting lodge ,far from other dwelling places. They will read ,walk and hear Mass said by the Ducal domestic chaplain.

The season of fruitfulness and mists is upon the Duchy and all bask in the last few days of sunshine before the Dark days and evenings prevail...

Wargaming :home and away...

We went to the show in Forfar as we had intended. The weather was sunny and the autumn colours beautiful. The show (Skelp) is held in a large community hall with much charm. The steak pies are indeed excellent.

The show consisted of many games and quite a number were ww2 or fantasy and of little interest to me . There was a charge of the light brigade game in 1/72 with soft plastic figures which was impressive in scale and execution. The chap running the game engaged us in conversation - a rarity these days at shows! I cannot abide going to shows and being presented with gamers who are so wrapped up in their games and totally uninterested in those watching. What is the point of shows if not to engage the public and share interests and insights?

There was an interesting game based in 1918 with and armoured train and a Sudan game with lovely terrain and figures. A participation game of note was one based on the film "Aguirre wrath of God" which featured a raft of conquistadors on a raft being fired at by natives- good fun and well executed.

After returning to my house (and tucking into Home made soup and home baking - thanks to Jan and the girls!) my Roman Army was wiped off the table by German tribesmen- shades of Gladiator but with differing conclusion. A good day had by all. I post some photos of the game for your edification- enjoy!

The Weekend

I am going this morning with a friend to a wargames show in Forfar Scotland called "Skelp" - I will let you know how it goes .
I have been putting quite an effort into researching the history of the Duchy of Tradgardland of late . I hope to post some translations from the official history of the Duchy which was compiled in the early years of the 20th century. The multi-volumed work brought together myriad sources and produced something of a classic. Watch this space...

A new venture...

Gentlemen
Join me for my new foray into the 18th century:
http://karlfrederickcounty.blogspot.com/
I hope you will enjoy it as it unfolds

Time Travel ...

Of late I have been much concerned with the Succession in the Duchy of Tradgardland. What that means in reality is what happens to the Duchy over the next 200 years - 1758- 1958. Today , whilst waiting in my daughter's school to meet Jan and Freya for parent's night , I scribbled away on paper and have some key Ducal moments up to 1807. I have names for Dukes and key events too.

All this has been brought about firstly by me looking at the list of Dukes up to 1757 I published on the blog last year and secondly by a desire to perhaps see what the Ducal army was like at points in the 19th and early 20th century. This may or may not lead to depictions upon the wargames table - we shall see! I will post some excerpts from the Ducal history soon.

I would be interested to hear if any of you have done a similar project or are thinking of doing so. Sadly I get bogged down in my knowledge of history and internally debate the possibilities back and forth...