Finland etc

 The morning began with a quick trip to Tesco preceded by varnishing the new halt/station. G came round with another board game.

This was full of interesting mechanisms, relatively short rules and interesting tactical challenges. Yesterday was a familiarisation session and we very much look forward to a full game later when time allows.

In other news the station had a visit from from one of the wild  mountain goats now living in the vicinity. 

The railway line is well known for the diversity of flora and fauna present in the surrounding countryside.

Yesterday

 Yesterday saw me in Edinburgh guiding preceded by a coffee, breakfast and read here-

https://www.coffeesaints.co.uk/

My guiding is here - https://mansfieldtraquair.org.uk/

I really enjoy sharing the building’s history with visitors from far and near.

In the afternoon the post man arrived-

A wee addition to the garden railway, put together with superglue in the garden.

I had time to paint it and will varnish it today. Rain is forecast so there might be a delay in station construction work

The postman also brought this book I was hoping to buy at Claymore but wasn’t able to due to Caliver’s absence. On first flick through it looks a really interesting read. Currently enjoying the podcasts from “ The rest is history “ about Mary Queen of Scots…

Painting

 If I have a painting style, which I don’t think l do, it is to cover a multitude of sins with Army Painter strong wash then varnish preceded by basic block painting in acrylics.

I fear this approach will not be appropriate to use with Suren Willie figures, any suggestions as how to proceed…

WW1 Italian Front - some approaches

 Now that I have a number of figures painted and books too-

Perhaps it is time to think how to game this. Some approaches-

http://megablitzandmore.blogspot.com/2024/05/33rd-battle-of-isonzo-part-2.html

Funny little Wars rules and splendid toy soldier approach.

https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/09/wwi-rules-review-kind-of-sort-of.html

Rules review etc

Or another approach 

https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2024/01/one-hour-wargames-more-machine-age.html

Hmm lots to ponder upon…

Volunteering cancelled due to weather here. Buses and trains off at noon in Fife. Have good and safe day one and all.

Claymore

 Yesterday was the annual Edinburgh show. Here are some photos-

Samurai game, one of three in that period, great castle . Probably Midgard rules.

Another terrific samurai game, terrific ship which was converted Disney and fish market. Iron Brigade using Lion Rampant.

Vietnam game . Was taken by terrain filled glasses to support helicopters.

Playmobil Custer game , lovely figures and terrific fun.

Italian wars in 28 mm with big pike blocks.

Baccus 6mm , shows the spectacular nature of the game.

Lovely pain aux chocolate for second breakfast at the show. Sadly two booksellers weren’t there so I couldn’t pick up a copy of Stuart Insch’s book on the Marian Civil Wars in Scotland which was top of my list to buy. The only other purchases on the list were some bases and they were got from the redoubtable Warbases.

After the show we returned to friends for a bbq and my daughters came and some of their family too . It was my youngest’s birthday and our hosts had made her a cake-

All in all a grand day out with lovely weather too!

Finished

 These chaps are 99% finished-

A wee bit of gunmetal and touching up and they will be done. Added tufts to the bases yesterday. I have enough to have an initial game with. They have moved forward quite fast and l am pleased with these glossy plastic troops.

This year has been a bit of a slug disaster garden wise . The strawberries, blackcurrants and blueberries were good  but that was all, except for these-

I hadn’t noticed them until the other day and was pleasantly surprised. I am thinking of turning the raised beds over to flowers but we will see…

Game and recommended

 Tuesday saw me playing the Seelowe roadblock scenario again-

I made sure l laid out the table copying the map in the book. The red line delineated my table size.

All set up and ready to play…

Played the Home Guard and l the German paratroopers charged with taking the roadblock. Here we see the Homeguard defending with infantry, Smith gun and Beaverette Armoured Car.

The paratroopers enter the table turn one. Green felt areas woods.

Home guard and paratroopers have taken severe casualties. Red dice are pinned markers btw.

The situation at the end of the allotted turns. Homeguard win due to them still holding the roadblock. In other news the railway work has paused due to Real Life being busy in a number of ways.

Finally a recommendation of an excellent Science Fiction novel which l finished yesterday-

I haven’t been gripped so much by a novel in ages. The sequel is already on order…

Work in progress

 Yesterday saw an enjoyable day spent modelling whilst listening to “The rest is history “ podcast which l am currently favouring for its insights and humour too.

I found this mangled Herald figure in my spares box. He came in a box with some figures ages ago. His head and upper body had been removed with a diagonal cut.

I decided he could be utilised in my current project, so with a head swap , putty to build up the body and number two figure he was based ready for action.

So far l had ignored the lmg figures. Yesterday l did a head swap and they are ready for painting.

Finally needed some bomber , grenade throwers, figures so used the kneeling mortar figure , removing the mortar and adding in a suitably toy soldier stick grenade in the form of a pin.

Figures are moving along nicely re basing and painting since these photos were taken.

Pardon me boy …

 Another famous Cornish station modelled today-

Whealybn Station after painting and station sign added.

The gas powered lamps will illuminate the station after dark.

Thankfully a bench has been added for the comfort and convenience of all concerned.

A swooping seagull’s eye view of the railway so far…

Extra Time

 The unexpected return from my holiday early has been a bonus. I have turned disappointment into positivity.  My daughter has been away so l have had the place to myself. The modelling projects have moved forward well, l have had a chance to do some tidying up too in the house as well as watching the coverage of GAA hurling and football. I’ve read more of a novel than I have had for ages and inspite of a wee visit by the black dog  ( shown the door without too much difficulty) it has been a valuable time.

A new halt/station has been purchased…

Front figures waiting for basing to be completed in the form of wee stones and tufts. Back figures awaiting completion. Moving along very nicely indeed.

Station/halt glued yesterday, left to dry and now ready for painting today. Rain has put pay to the track work today probably but we will see if it clears up…

Heads up

 First of all a heads up to a sale on at Aviation and Military Press. Got these at bargain prices-

Fascinating book full of potential model railway ideas too…

Who can resist a military cycling, in any period?

The amazingly cheap prices paid for the above books. A bargain.

In other matters , the heads I ordered from Antony at Imperial Miniatures arrived today-

Crisp castings , good service and quick delivery.

Some Austro Hungarians getting the heads up yesterday afternoon.

A quite drink and read in the garden after an enjoyable but busy day.