From "Transactions of the Tradgardland Ducal Society volume VIII"

The Tradgardland Society's expedition ( under the careful yet expensive leadership of Dr Blanc-Sec) to find the rare striped Umstrttental orchid had been a success, in spite of the attempts of the Empire to thwart his plans.Nothing was heard from Blanc-Sec for the next two years until he showed drawings of his discovery to the Society's Epiphanytide lectures-

When the gasps of amazement ceased Dr Blanc-Sec mumbled to the effect that there was indeed much more and asked to see the Duke alone...

Easter gaming and a visit from the Forbodian Ambassador

Sunday afternoon saw some gaming with the girls and A.

Ticket to Ride and then-

Today the Forbodian Ambassador ( aka Tim Gow) arrived with a game of  Little Cold Wars.It was decided that it was a tad chilly outdoors so the Living Room was cleared-

The Americans were dug in defending a village.

Zoe resolved the Russian mortar fire by firing a matchstick from a Britain's mortar.

The Russian infantry disembark whilst covering fire ensues.

The Russians engaged in close assault.

The end of the game with a Russian victory. Thanks Tim for a most enjoyable afternoon's gaming.

Easter

“The Resurrection is the eucatastrophe of the story of the Incarnation — This story begins and ends in joy.” J.R.R. Tolkien

Happy Easter to you and yours from all at the Duchy of Tradgardland!

Now the green blade riseth from the buried grain,

Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain;

Love lives again, that with the dead has been:

Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid him, Love whom men had slain,

Thinking that never he would wake again.

Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:

Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green,

Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,

He that for three days in the grave had lain.

Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:

Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,

Thy touch can call us back to life again;

Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:

Love is come again, like wheat that springeth green.

Saturday

The day broke away to be warm and sunny. Spring tidying continues-

Time also for the Guards to be inspected-

Have an enjoyable weekend whatever you are doing.

Bronze age set up

A couple of pics of my 25mm New Kingdom v Sea People Alliance set up-

Weekend

It has been quite a busy weekend. I popped over to my friend in West Lothian for a couple of dark age skirmish games and lunch. The honours were even and a most enjoyable time was had.
I have been painting some ancients(see my ancients blog) and there are new arrivals in the Duchy of Rosti over at my FLW blog. I also had an interesting read from circa 1987 arrive this week. I was really inspired by this picture from the book-

especially the chap on the left. Anyone recognise him/it?

Naval gazing

Saturday saw a visit from the Forbodian ambassador aka Mr Gow. He brought along a most diverting naval game. Simple, elegant and fun.

The ships were set out as well as the gunnery range required for shooting. In an ideal world it would have been set up on another table.

All the family tried their hand at gunnery. Basically Britains field gun, matchsticks and a target whose size depends on the range.
Sadly my ships ended thus-

All in all terrific fun had by all and a fantastic game. Thanks Tim!

Today in Tradgardland

It is a couple of weeks since I last posted. Last weekend I was in Glasgow for Model Rail Scotland (my first ever railway show) at the SECC. Most interesting and enjoyable.Whilst there I was mentally comparing and contrasting with wargames shows. The model railway show had more families there, younger folk operating the train ( of both sexes) and being involved and the atmosphere was less smelly than some wargames shows. I didn't find that operating folk were any more willing to engage in conversation than folk at wargames shows on the whole. It is interesting to note that unlike wargaming there are more of a future generation coming through.
I however came down with a fluy/coldy thing and spent the next day in bed and have found it hard to shrug off this week.
Today is Mother's Day and a difficult day for my daughters. It is also my 56th birthday-

I received some lovely cards and some excellent reading material and look forward to a celebration meal later in the day. I am going to potter about with some old school ancients kindly brought for me by the Forbodian Ambassador who visited the Duchy  most enjoyably yesterday.More about his splendid little naval game in another post shortly.
Tomorrow would have been Jan's 54th birthday.All in all a weekend of joys and sorrows.