Happy New Year !

A Happy New Year when it comes to you and yours from all in the Duchy of Tradgardland!

1719

Many moons ago when Jan was carrying our firstborn we holidayed in the Highlands. We took in Loch Ness, Fort Augustus Abbey etc. Then unplanned we decided to go to Skye ( we had two days on the island one being torrential rain the next beautiful sunshine) driving there via the site of the Battle of Glenshiel. As you can imagine we stopped looked at the signage and l took a few photos. The road also took us past that most iconic castle Eilean Donan. On my return I read a little about the 1719 Rising and popped the memories away of a splendid holiday.  Cut to 2018 and a book which arrived here in the Duchy a couple of days ago-

Combined with my 40mm figures already painted and those from Rob Dean awaiting painting l intend to “”do” a version of the 1719 in 2019 , a fitting tribute to the anniversary and also a memory of happy highland times with Jan. As to rules possibly the Wargames Holiday Centre Malburian ones with adaptions or perhaps you have a suggestion...

Boxing Day,early evening...

A blast from the past.

Boxing Day

I had a most enjoyable Christmas Day at my sister in laws house with all catching up with nephews and nieces etc. Today l intend to spend quietly, l have made a coffee and have returned to bed to catch up with my blog reading list, an enjoyable way l start most days. I was really lucky with my gifts-

Lots of inspirational reading ( not shown was a later gift, a collection of essays on medieval St. Andrews) to browse through today and a chance to catch up on wireless and television programmes too. Also a still place in time to remember Christmas times of yesteryear and those we love no longer with us. Hopefully a walk weather permitting later, some board games and a Christmas dinner just the four of us. Whatever you are doing today l hhope you have you have a great day. I’m sure some hobby musing and planning will feature in all our days be it on paper or thoughts with a glass or two in our hands...

Merry Christmas from the Duchy of Tradgardland!

The snow has fallen in the city of Tradgardstadt and it is approaching Midnight. The bugles and drums welcome the worshippers to the cathedral for Midnight Mass. 

A very happy Christmas to you and yours from all of us here in the Duchy of Tradgardland.

Albion on Christmas Eve

Whilst riding back to barracks through the woods some troopers come upon a scene that they cannot believe...

They stop ,blink and the vision was gone. Just a trick of the light perhaps?

Terrain

After church then breakfast at Dobbies l managed to pick up some sale items:

Check out your local garden centre for reduced Lemax items,you won’t regret it!

In the painting bureau...

I am fortunate to have a roll top bureau to use as a work bench/painting table. It sits in a position which allows both good daylight and artificial light. Even better is the fact the roll top lid can be brought down to cover the on going work/mess. Here is what it looks like this morning-

I am taking a break from 28mms and working on some 54mms. As many of you are aware the Duchy of Tradgardland shares some similarities with Denmark. I find that holidays there inspire my imagineering and hobby. Currently in the painting bureau you can see some Tradgardland soldiers. They are the Ducal Lifeguard of foot. Their uniforms bear the influence of Denmark upon them as you can see. From left to right: Ducal Lifeguards in their blue winter coats, Ducal Lifeguards ( from the Danish Company which is traditionally composed of Danes sent to the Duchy by the Danish monarch as a gesture of friendship in perpetuity ) in red coats and finally Ducal Lifeguards in their rose summer coats, rose being the traditional Ducal colour. The figures are plastic and Britains Ltd.

Duchy of Marginalia on Instagram

Just a wee mention of a fantasy medieval world l am currently creating with an instagram account. If you want to follow the fun search for The Duchy of Marginalia. Looking forward to seeing you over there at the edge of the edge...

Shiny happy lead people

I got rather fed up with their drab uniforms so l repainted them-

I used a bright blue and then gloss varnished them, finishing off with flocked bases. A colour was  presented to one of the officers and lo and behold some Hungarian troops of the early part of the twentieth century. I am very pleased with how they have turned out.

Winter comes to Albion

Winter has come to Albion. The rains of autumn have given way to the snows of winter.

A cold general leads his troops back to barracks past decorated houses through snow covered streets. The palace guard has been changed.Soon all will be safely home enjoying mulled ale and pies. The trudging through the snow will soon be forgotten as hands and feet regain their warmth and voices once more are raised in song or laughter.