Seasons

 

Sunday saw us able to have coffee in the garden, maybe the last time this autumn, who knows.

Autumn has arrived and attempts are made to tidy up prior to winter.

A fox ponders things then makes for cover, stepping carefully through the luggage.

The leaves are changing colour.

The Acer turns a glorious red.

Finally a song-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q0jawY8r-ik

On the painting desk

Last week we got signed back into Apple TV, long story short. It was in time for the sublime “ Slow Horses” restarting as well as the rest  to catch up with. Another programme “ Chief of War” really caught my imagination. It is a drama set in 18th century Hawaii. Since l read an article in Slingshot about Hawaiian warfare years l have retained an interest. I tried the Tribal rules but they are not suitable for solo play and a tad outre or complicated for me.

Anyway watching the tv drama gave me an urge to paint some Polynesians. Not more cash splashed I hear you ask! Not in this case . A wee rummage and I found what I was looking for- 28mm Hawaiian figures by Eureka, lovely casts just waiting..

A few experiments later , unsuccessful attempts at skin tones and I called upon the collective encyclopaedia of hobby information that is the Virtual Wargames Club. Emails were exchanged and ideas sought and found. Armed with a plan l ventured into my local hobby shop and came out with some paint, particularly a base colour and a Contrast Paint to apply over it. I worked on the figures Saturday and Sunday and am pleased with the results so far-

Friday’s disastrous attempts, no idea what I tried now but awful.

Post Saturday model shop trip and things moving forward really well.

The painting desk Sunday and I feel l am getting somewhere…

More figures awaiting finishing, varnishing and basing to be completed. All coming along well. Incidentally it was interesting to paint figures who have no metal weapons whatsoever. Wood, sharks teeth and other natural materials are the order of the day.

More to paint up then some skirmishes against themselves and perhaps some 19th century sailors. I must pop back to my Patrick O’Brien’s as there is an exciting battle on an island with indigenous opponents.

I haven’t enjoyed painting so much for ages , this contrast paint methodology would work well with Bronze Age Greeks for example…

Resins to be cheerful and money well spent.

 

This was waiting for me on my return home yesterday. A charming guide to a model railway pioneer. Lovely coloured and b&w pictures and interesting text too. A bargain imho.

Glasgow looking lovely in the sun yesterday.

New resin recruits in 28mm to be used for VBCW Welsh nationalists supplied by France.

Some metal Welsh , including a Mari Lwyd used as a standard.

Pictures from Wednesday’s game. The village people and opponents in a shooting match.

Enemies encounter each other at the village bridge.

The Scout section takes heavy casualties.

The Blackshorts have seen off their opponents at the churchyard.

My opponents gain an upper hand in the other end of the churchyard. The game was declared a marginal victory to my opponent. Even more marginal when I reminded him all my troops were all inexperienced except for two medium machine guns . He fielded a variety of grades of troops including veterans.

Visitors to the Firth of Forth.

Doing some background reading on the Welsh nationalists supplied by Al Front many moons ago. He helped me get hooked on the interwar period.

Sitrep and Juxtaposition etc

 Last week post Ambleside passed quickly in a flurry of volunteering, preparing for the 30th birthday gathering here on Saturday and the game l posted about. It was hectic but the family gathering went really well and daughter number two really appreciated the event. As a result little hobby stuff was done as creative energy and time went into the garden and house. However a chance encounter with this splendid conversion from Brush and Battle on his Instagram-

It led me to consider 40k Feudal Worlds , something totally new to me. Basically for me a juxtaposition of medieval society and weaponry with hi tech kit. I found some illustrations to inspire and produced these conversions-

Here’s the painting desk and gathering too.

Trying to move Craigshire forward too. Maintenance of the aim..

Penedredfel Light Railway at night

 

Yesterday’s game part two- set up and early turns.

 Some photos of my troops and those of my fellow commander.

MMgs kindly lent by the Duke of Brunswick. WW1 veterans.

The Automobile Association men formed a section, they had forgotten their transport.

Villagers with Boys anti tank rifle , Spode, the chap from the wireless shop , a 2inch mortar and two sections of Black Shorts . The above commanded by G my ally. Below my troops-

Command group with WI banner, medic and important people from the village. The Vicar, the Verger and the scout troop formed a section.

The cricket team form this section above, resplendently wearing their blazers.

The shooting party from the Big House with shotguns only

The men from the bank and their clerks.

Members of the WI and their husbands , many gardeners amongst them.

Some early highlights-

The enemy advancing confidently through the village.

The race to occupy the church and its stone walled perimeter.

The shooting party ready to line the hedge and fire.

The situation at the church seen by a keen eyed kestrel flying over.

The men from the banks have lost most of their section and the cricket club members coming up in support. Time caused us to stop and we will finish the game next week.

Thanks as ever to P our host and opponent and to G my ally.

Yesterday’s game - VBCW

 

En route to the game with figure transport and a coffee& Danish from the wee coffee stand at the bottom of the ramp at Dalmeny station.

This is only carrier big enough for the figure boxes to sit flat. Contents include dice, the rules something to read and figures in boxes / shortbread tins.

My Order of Battle hastily scribbled on paper I picked up from a hotel on holiday.

My opponent has his troops, The Liverpool Free State , lined up and organised. As l hadn’t brought vehicles and also to make it simpler as we get used to the rules, we went transport free. Below my chaps milling around before the game and getting into starting positions.