Not out!

Firstly many thanks for your kind words and support,it really makes a difference. I am moving forward. I have taken much of your advice- a day visit to St Andrews was great, listening to Test Match Special whilst doing some gardening or painting and enjoying some books and tv. Friday saw me take my Romans across the Firth of Forth by train to try and put down a revolt by Civilis. The game was great but ended in my Romans succumbing to the combined might of Germanic tribesmen allied with revolting roman auxiliaries and cavalry.  A re match is planned. Today I cut the hedge with secateurs ( whilst telling passing neighbours that Jan had sensibly always banned me from an electric hedgetrimmer in case I cut myself) ending with me cutting a finger and going to minor injuries at the local hospital to have the cut glued and a tetanus booster given. This will put my Kingdom of Commagene figure painting on  hold for a few days. We are getting there.

Black Dog

The Black Dog has been sniffing around of late but has decided to launch himself upon me now. I know a number of you are visited by him too. Any suggestions for how to deal with him?

Ambush in the forest,Norway 1200 AD- a game played with the ancient rules from "Developing the Portable Wargame"

A forest in Norway,a patrol of knights are making their way home through the forest-

They encounter some ambushers-

The resulting battle was played using these rules-

They give a most enjoyable ancient game and like the Ronseal advert says they do exactly what it says on the tin,sorry book. Bob develops the portable wargaming rules of his last book  taking them to the ancient period and to the skies with aerial combat not to mention adding depth and interest to his already accessible system. Well worth getting hold of ,they are packed with inspiration and will add much to your gaming.

Breakfast biscuits Little Wars house challenge

A sunny day in Tradgardland today and I set a challenge for my three daughters- paint a house made out of a breakfast biscuit box to be used as wargaming scenery.

 Here are the results-

Please vote for your favourite by leaving a comment below. Watch out for the houses being included in a game very soon.

Space

With both the kitchen table and dining table commandeered for  ongoing art work or studying I am unable to set up big games. I have therefore set up a game (see yesterday's  post) using the converted garden potting bench I adapted for inside use-

The game can be left up ,out of everyone's way, ready to be played on and off over a couple of  days. The railway background paper helps shut out the real world and adds atmosphere to the look of the thing.

Interwar imaginations revisited- gaming with the Portable Wargame Rules in mind

It is time to revisit my two deadly rivals- The Duchy of Volare-Cantare and The Imperium.

 

Now the newly painted forces of The Duchy of Volare-Cantare.

Tanks and Alpini go into action...

Next those of The Imperium-

 

Infantry,Cavalry and Light Armour go into action.

Finally got figures from Eamon and tanks from Tim Gow on the table.More pictures as the game develops tomorrow...

Outdoors

Better weather today here so took the chance to paint outdoors-

Hols

On holiday now. Yesterday ( with the sunne present for once) I spent much of the day cutting the grass and weeding,redeeming the wilderness but not too much. I was accompanied in this by a radio on an extension cable with Test Match Special.

I am pleased with the result. I also watched an interesting film- "Free state of Jones" which is well worth a watch. Today the weather has returned to a cold wet norm and I have been painting figures, accompanied once more by T.M.S. Nearly two years ago I got these rules-

and have yet to use them. I feel they would be just right for some skirmishes set in the late 17th century in Tradgardland.I will give them a go with the figures currently on the painting table. Anyone used them and what do you think?

Maneuvers in Tradgardland

The Duke of Tradgardland watches as his gardeners train with muskets.

Amidst smoke and noise, the Duke's Grenadiers assault a statue of   Mercury. The Duke hopes that the damage will only be slight but realises that grenades need to be thrown at times for practise.

T D K part 3 In the Duke of Tradgardland's gardens...

Early morning and the Duke's gardeners make their weary way to the first  job of the day.

Elsewhere in the lee of some topiary Father Lacey-Cotta awaits a confidant...

In another corner of the garden old mother Shippam converses earnestly  to no avail.

Model Topiary

Daughter number one has been making some model topiary out of clay with/for me  today-

It is air drying so I will need to be patient for some days. In the picture is a late 17th century Front Rank figure for scale and inspiration. When dry I will paint and varnish the topiary  not to mention the pond. After that some pictures with figures...

A plunge taken for better or worse.

I have finally taken the plunge (with some persuasion) and have dived into Facebook. Supported by the technical knowledge of my daughters and others I am live. I hope it will prove a useful tool...

The Defenestrated Kolbold 2

Mr Noyes is escorted to the backroom of coffee house where he is set upon by footpads masquerading as itinerant  castrato singers and their servants. A swift melee ensues. Mr Noyes sees them off and looks for his leather case but to no avail. Questions to a servant reveals that a cloaked figure was seen leaving with the case...

With camera in Dunfermline

Schools hols began yesterday. I took some photos locally.Firstly our new museum/gallery/library-

This is the view from the balcony of the cafe overlooking a newly planted maze and Abbots House which is currently closed.

An interesting exhibit in the museum which is explained in the sign below-

Finally my current reading-

Have a good Saturday!