Spies

Duke Karl Frederick raced across the Library floor like a thing possessed! He found the multi volumed codex he had been looking for and opened it at the picture of a strange machine. He turned to the scruffy individual standing bewildered in the corner. The Duke made a concerted effort to calm himself. He paused and looked at the man. " Look very carefully at this illustration,are you certain it is what you saw in the castle courtyard at Saschen-Vindow?"
The man considered what lay before him, he recalled what he had seen and heard. He nodded his head gravely and with certainty. Duke Karl Frederick's countenance was seen to become ashen...

Plans

Now I have some new commanding officers I am working towards a game in around three weeks. I have a week off at half term whilst the family works. I hope to commandeer the dining room table, set up a game , record it whilst playing and be packed away in time for afternoon snacks upon their return. Not that my wife is not supportive of my hobby- she has always encouraged me ( and my daughters are post patient too) but we need to eat at it later!
The game will revolve around some skirmish at the hotly contested border betwixt Tradgardland and Saschen- Vindow- part of the ongoing low-level disputes that occur weekly in the region. It will be played solo . However I need to get down to some painting in the coming weeks or it will not happen. However it is good to have goals even if they are not reached. Look out for some posts over the next days concerning the new officers in Tradgardland. P.S both figures arrived safely through the mail and have been admired suitably by me and the family. Thanks for adding another dimension to my hobby- they will make you proud of them upon the forthcoming field of Mars I am sure...
If anyone would like to add a figure to the growing Tradgardland Life Guard let me know. I have this mad idea of raising a guard unit ( recruited from gentlemen of fortune from across Europa) of a number of figures with a figure from each imagination ( on loan of course)wishing to join in. They would be in the same uniform to some degree yet with thier owners unique contributions - let me know what you think of the idea...

Music...

In honour of the arrival of the new commanding officer for the Tradgardland Regiment a new regimental march has been rehearsed and selected as befitting such an important occasion . You are invited to listen to it at the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6ggBiOyEUY&feature=related

Diverse things...

A change from the 18th century for me some Border reivers for skirmishing. Sorry about the out of focus photo - the vicious looking bill got in the way. Cattle,sheep and sundry animals and peasants are in the painting process. It is good to have a sideline . Some of the figs were painted by Phil Olley and some are my attempts to paint in a way that is in the style of the master...

I had rather vile viral headaches at the weekend and they have continued today - gosh there is so much about at present...

I am currently enjoying re reading the Hobbit. I have not read it for years but as my middle daughter is reading it at school I decided to get in on the fun. Gosh I am so tempted by the Vendel fantasy stuff...

On Saturday night we tried to watch a movie we taped - "Snowcake" but sadly it had taped badly and so we abandoned it. Does anyone know it- is it worth pursuing ?

Amazon brought a replacement copy for "The steel bonnets " which I gave away years ago- looks on first glance to be worth the small amount it cost second hand.

The postman also brought a new commander for one of my regiments. I will keep you informed of how well he settles in...

Night

Snow has once more fallen in Tradgardland rendering travel to a near impossibility. Alisona however braves the cold and walks abroad after dark. The Cope of the night sky is filled with myriad stars and her thoughts once more fly ( as they often do) to the meeting to be arranged this year...

Duke Frederick sits up late and looks heavenwards from his study window up,up into the night sky. He sits amidst reams of Ducal papers awaiting his attention. He too thinks of the coming year and the possibility of war with Saschen-Vindow. He recalls the years of enmity between the two Duchies and worries about rumours of the Duchess of Saschen -Vindow and her mad infatuation with the King of Stagonia. A idea, so radical as to make a big radical thing look small takes shape within his mind....

Days of Future past or excerpts from the "Chronicles of Tradgardland"...

…….1775
Following the mysterious of Duke Karl Frederick his “Nephew “Alexander came to the Ducal Throne. Known as “Alexander the Just and Fair” he ruled most unfairly and unwisely for well over fifteen years where upon little of import happened within the land.
1775 ----- 1795
A time of change sweeping across the globe – revolution’s icy wave lapped at the shore of the duchy. Duke Henry III succumbed to depression and madness throwing himself from the highest tower of the Palace into the angry mobs below.
1795-------1801
In 1801 the Tradgardland fleet was deployed with the Danish one at the battle of Copenhagen. Duke Karl Frederick II abdicated in favour of his son Chrispian and retires to the country to pursue a life studying the heavens and tilling the soil.
1801----1807
“Chrispian the Simple “is propelled against his will (and those of his subjects) to become Duke. He lived in fear of the tides of war and the Dual Horrors of France and England. In 1806 a French army invaded the Duchy after after the battle of Jena. In 1807 Tradgardland is invaded by a British task force on its way to Denmark and Copenhagen – in order to prevent the Ducal fleet falling into French hands. The Tradgardland Army is defeated in battle and the Fleet is burnt where it lay. Duke Chrispian died leading ducal troops into battle succumbing to sabre wound fro a KGL Hussar.
1807-------1820
Joachim (aged 10) succeeds to the Duchy. The real power lies in the hands of Fr Abbot Barnabas who excerts a great influence over all the Court. Joachim ( a petulant and cruel fellow if ever there was one) takes control of the Duchy aged 18. Difficult times lay ahead…

Prog Rock

Did any of you see BBC 4 Prog Rock programmes last night? Genesis, Yes,Jethro Tull,Caravan,Soft Machine,King Crimson and many,many more! It was amazing- and more to come this weekend!

In many ways it reminded me of the Baroque Music and Architectural movement ...

Anyway I loved /love this style of music and it was great seeing it getting the attention it deserves. Anyone else a sucker for Roger Dean album covers and mutibanked keyboards...

Of Aims and Alisona...

Well it is 2009 now- I rememember thinking " Party like its 1999" by Prince seemed so ,so far in the future! I find this time of year a tad melancoloy but to matters positive...

Interlude:

It is the first day of the new Year in Tradgardland. After attending Mass Alisona walks the gardens of the palace .All is covered in frost and looks magical. Her thoughts go constantly back and forth from the coming year to the time she spent with her late husband in Ny Tradgardland.She looks back fondly yet has a sense that 1759 may bring new joy and hope in the form of a dashing Gallian. She longs to hear from him with arrangements to journey to Gallia. Soon,soon she tells herself...

I hope this year to carry forward to Charge Project based upon Tradgardland and Saschen-Vindow . I intend to draw up a list of units to be raised and stick to this . I have begun well and with Wedding Anniversary and Birthday in the first 3 months of the year I should be able to raise some more units as well as finish those I am working upon. I love cavalry but it is so expensive .Both armies are in need of some additions to the mounted arm. Also I am more than tempted to raise some dismounted dragoons after the interesting OSW discussion re Charge of late...