We sail the ocean blue...

A friend gave me this splendid miniature some time back.It has come in and out of my mind with what to use it for as it sits on the shelf beside my writing slope. 

I really like it and have been thinking of a back story to use it in a water based Dragon rampant scenario for some time.Yesterday in my local waterstone I saw some toy  ( a make beginning with S) seahorses,octopus etc and was tempted.I wonder if anyone else has suggestions for allies/enemies in term of figure ranges? Finally I think it is Ral Partha,can anyone confirm this and give a title?

Master Classes

Every Friday we have what are called "Master Classes" in the school where I teach. They are to teach the pupils skills such as turn taking,strategy etc. I run a games club which consists of tradition games from around the world such as Well Gonu,Pumpkin Gonu and Surakarta (well worth a go) as well as Chess and Draughts. Today because of this post on Man of Tin's blog -
https://poundstoreplasticwarriors.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/duelling-in-the-sandpit-lunge-cut-and-stop-thrust/
I tried something different and  it was my first Wargame with the group. Sadly there were no figures available so laminated pirates stood in-

Cards were hastily prepared out of cards and cm cubes  kept track of wounds. It was received with mix enthusiasm but quite a few tried it and enjoyed it. One lad even asked to take a set of cards,chart,laminated pirates etc home at the end of the club.What next?

Thank you Donald Featherstone and Man of Tin for bringing it to my attention. 

Just Us - Cloudbusting (Official Video)

A new version of a classic- enjoy!

The Ancient (portable) Wargame etc

Happy St George's Day!

Today I placed Hexon on the potting bench/ gaming table I made up from Aldi's some time ago.

A place to leave up some playtesting games this week. By the way I would quite like to replace the missing spears/javelins on these lovely old school figures I got.Can anyone recommend me where to buy some in terms of quality and price?Thanks!

Saturday

I am determined (after all it is over two thirds through April)  to sit and read in the garden today in spite of it being chilly the moment the sun is obscured by clouds. I am currently fascinated by this novel-

I am also endeavouring to playtest some portable wargame ancient rules for Bob and enjoying the process.

I hope you are enjoying Saturday whatever you are doing.

Happy Easter!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!

our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!

who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

                                                  But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
                                                  our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
                                                   now above the sky he's King, Alleluia!
                                                    where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Triduum

George Gush or went the day well?

Today we tried out the 1420-1700 George Gush rules we had not played for over 23 years. Went the game well- you bet it did. The joy of morale tests to be taken- my Burgundians even managed to throw three ones on three D6. Free hack at routing troops and artillery which actually did something. For the Period ( Burgundian wars) the rules gave a much,much better game. It was like meeting an old friend who one had not seen for ages  but with whom the dialogue just picked up so easily.

The element basing did not affect the game and we are keen to try them again soon.

For anyone interested and lacking a copy of the originals here is a link to John Curry's page-

http://www.wargaming.co/recreation/details/ggwrgrules.htm

The army lists and play sheet are even downloadable as a pdf there. Go on give them a whirl,as the Likely Lads said "The only  thing to look forward to..."

Books just asking to be gamed

I got this book 40 years ago when I worked in a bank in Edinburgh. The Accountant ( as the 2nd in command was called in those days) liked to read quietly over lunch in our miniscule staffroom so ,as our lunches often coincided,I often brought a book to work. I used to buy cheap second hand paperbacks in a wee bookshop in Easter Road.The above was probably my best buy.I have kept it through weed outs of books and many moves.I have read it many times over the years and thought  often of gaming the final battles in it. It would lend itself really well to Dragon Rampant.What books are calling out to you to game?

George Gush 1420-1700 rules

Anyone tried using George Gush 1420-1700 rules with dbm based elements? How did you get on? I am considering them to fight the Burgundian Wars. DBM does not give us a good game for the period.

I've been to...

I have been away staying with friends in Yorkshire.On the way I spent some time in Leeds-

The public art was quite inspirational.

The contrast of house boats and modern flats was interesting too.

I was very impressed by my first visit to the Royal Armouries.

The demonstrations of weapons and techniques ( in this case Talhoffer and the longsword)were informative and fun also.

Fascinating exhibits,interesting interpretation and an excellent building too.

Dragon Rampant,ring bearer scenario

My elves lost the the game but it was great fun.

Elven arms race

I have a game tomorrow against the forces of Saruman/Sauron using "Dragon Rampant" rules.I worked away with these splendid fellows off their sprues finding the heads a tad fiddly.However I wont have time to get them finished for tomorrow-

However I did find these Eagles (Greater Warband) and Woodland Creatures (lesser warband)

to fill the gap until the elven cavalry and infantry are ready.

I am reading this interesting book-

More really interesting posts on this blog-

https://manoftinblog.wordpress.com/

Do pop over there for loads of inspiring posts!

Colf in Tradgardland : an entertainment of sorts

I have been playing around with the idea of  table top 18 th century colf. It is a game where players try and hit a target in the least number of strokes. Here is one such game beginning-

The players have chosen the statue of Hermes as their target but need to beware of the trees. I allow a player to choose the number and type of dice from a selection- say D3,6,8 and when thrown this is the distance the ball travels in cm. Non accurate hitting is worked out through scatter dice and/or a chart.

I use buttons to mark the position of each player's ball with little buttons.Here is a game coming to an end.