Review - Kobolds & Cobblestones by Osprey Games

I saw this review on you tube. It is published around the 26th of January. Having watched the review I think I will give it a go. The mechanisms are different and quite fun. Let me know what you think.

Bargains

We went up to have breakfast at a garden centre  ( named after a famous house elf?) locally. Keen readers of this blog may recall me getting a bargain in the shape of some Lemax trees there some years ago. However today there was less on offer in the sale today but I picked these up-

The new fence and benches in action.                       The packets bought.

The brick path in use.

Finally a Happy New Year to you and yours when it comes. Thanks for dropping by to The Duchy of Tradgardland in 2017 and I hope you will continue to do so in 2018!

Old School

Earlier in the week we popped into the Scottish National Portrait gallery to see the B.P Portrait competition winners. I also took the opportunity to view the historical murals-

Scottish famous figures in the left hand photo and a scene from the battle of Largs on the right.I love the expressions on the figures and the attempts to use archaeological evidence ( albeit in a mixed up way ) too.

For more about the artist see- 

https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/artists/william-brassey-hole

Yesterday did a wee Dragon Rampant game-
I used my Mythical Earth chaps and as ever the rules worked well and it was great fun.

Today in the Duchy of Tradgardland

Walked up town to Church then did some shopping. Snow came on much heavier as I walked home. Here am I pictured outside the Rathaus complete with Tradgardland ceramic plaque in the Duchy.

Gifts

A very Happy Feast of St Stephen to you and yours!
 I was most fortunate with my gifts - from retro radio to riveting reading!

Steeleye Span-Good King Wenceslas

A very Happy St Stephen's Day to you and yours!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us here in the Duchy of Tradgardland!

Christmas minus two

Been doing a little inspirational reading around my Carolingians-

Also been recalling Poul Anderson's wonderful novel " A Midsummer Tempest" especially when creatures of myth and legend rise up against Cromwell. It got me thinking of how something similar could have happened against the Swedish invaders of Norway in the Napoleonic wars. So a little Dragon Rampant scenario was set up. here's a wee flavour of it-

Bright | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix

I really enjoyed it and it is worth giving a go. The premise is really interesting.

Advent in the Duchy of Tradgardland

Not long to Christmas now here in the Duchy of Tradgardland. A boy brushes snow off the candles on the tree in the square in Tradgardstadt. Officers go about the business of last minute shopping, children await a puppet show and others sneak into the small cathedral to wonder at the decorating underway.

In the bleak mid (well nearly) winter ... part one

Its that time again and Dugald the druid is preparing to cut the mistletoe once again. This is how Dugald sees himself and his mates in his mind's eye-

However reality is somewhat different- a rather kindly white haired gentleman with a rusty sickle at his belt as well as two mouldy heads that he gathered along the way sometime ago.

However before he can begin he needs a bodyguard as there are some nasty folks around the place...

To be continued

Carolingians

My new recruits are being based. Jim did 99% of that plus all the painting. Here are some pics-

My regular opponent Phil is reorganising his vikings (Essex,Greenwood and Ball etc) to be opponents for these splendid fellows- can't wait!

Old school again

My book from Norway has finally arrived. It was addressed correctly yet ended up being delivered to Amazon by mistake.

In 1995 I saw a small advert at the back of Miniature Wargames for a chap who was casting 25mm Napoleonic Norwegian ski troops.I contacted him (think he is/was called Kevin Gilfedder, of Doncaster) and the figures duly arrived. I have tinkered with them on and off since but never finished the unit.Here they are on top of a wee booklet from the Norwegian army Museum showing ski troop uniforms-

Sorry I just can't seem to turn the photo :(

anyway the figures are delightfully old school and I really ought to get them done to fight my new Swedes.

Gloriously Old School

Yesterday Jim D popped over to Fife to deliver a couple of  painted armies transferring to the service of Duke of Tradgardland's army- my lead mountain that is to say.More about the Carolingians later- wonderful Minifigs with those fantastic helmets and staff slingers that mean business. The other army comprised Swedes circa 1808-

       

I love the painting style of these splendid figures,something I could probably never replicate as I am not as skilled a painter. I am, however, tempted to give it a go in order to provide a worthy opponent for these super Swedes...

                                                                                                 

Reinforcements

 

I decided to paint up these 40mm knights as reinforcements for my medieval Scandinavians yesterday. I had got them very cheaply some time ago. They painted up well and I look forward to using them in a game-

One of my reference books suggestions Scandinavian armour styles were a tad behind the times compared to the latest knightly fashions. I am using this as an excuse to mix different styles and times in my units. After all they are cheap ,cheerful and fun.