The Duchy of Tradgardland

Help sought

2012-02-02T00:27:00.000-08:00

I am trying to find details,illustrations and even rules but so far only a few enigmatic references are to be gleaned by me...
I am keen to know more about Helwig, Master of Pages to the Duke of Brunswick in 1780 and the game he invented. Can you help?

If you go down to the woods...

2012-01-29T08:11:00.000-08:00

Had a go at some cheap and cheerful cardboard 54mm trees- have a look at them at
http://armyredwhite.blogspot.com/
let me know what you think - I fancy them en masse for 28mm figures!

Books

2012-01-29T04:49:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd post this picture of the books currently being enjoyed by us.It is a handy place to leave books being browsed through and looks great too.

Friday night game...

2012-01-27T23:10:00.000-08:00

My regular opponent and I have a New Year Resolution which is to game once a month.This would be far more often than we managed last year or for some time before. The period of choice is the ACW at present and we are still learning the rules.Artillery was factored in for the first time last night and we aim to use cavalry as part of things properly next time.
Last night's game saw my Union fellows streaming off the table having been routed by a combination of bullet and bayonet. My Union guns were charged and their crews put to flight too. Not a good night for the North but a great game anyway- our second within a month...
Finally I have been gathering ACW movies of late- Gettysburg,Gods and Generals,Ride with the devil and most recently Glory. What should I buy next -recommendations please gentlemen

A return

2012-01-24T09:33:00.001-08:00

I found this waiting for me on my return from school.It is an old friend given away years ago and now bought second hand anew. It is a charming tale well told.I can hardly wait to begin to read it...

Enjoying 54mm

2012-01-22T04:21:00.000-08:00

Not much happening here but more at
http://armyredwhite.blogspot.com/
Do pop by if you have a moment and let me know what you think.

A question of flags...

2012-01-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

Evening all ! I wonder if I can trouble you for a minute? Can you pop over to my other blog and vote on which flag design you prefer.You will find the poll at
http://armyredwhite.blogspot.com/
Many thanks
Alan

A question of scales...

2012-01-15T03:57:00.000-08:00

I thought I would post a picture to compare the size of a couple of cyclist figures I own. The smaller is a Dixon's miniature which will be used for a VBCW, probably as part of a Welsh Nationalist recon unit. The larger one is a 54mm cyclist for my Funny Little Wars/ Big Wars project. I am painting him as a Swiss cyclist circa 1914 for my Army Red/White as it is known. The army name relate to the army Red and Blue used in H G Well's "Little Wars" book- without which our hobby would not have begun. 54mm is fun to paint and a good change. I have a blog dedicated to my 54mm modelling and my love of period photos and paintings of around 1900 to 1914.It can be found at
Army Red White and others hhttp://armyredwhite.blogspot.com/
Do pop by and have a look. Over the short time I have had it I have found quite a diversity of pictures depicting armies of the time ,have a look back when you are there...

Update from the Duchy

2012-01-14T07:18:00.000-08:00

Firstly may I say a big "thank you" to all who left supportive and encouraging advice here.They were a great source of ideas to think upon.I have tried to act upon the advice,restart an old project and have enjoyed painting today - both this morning before breakfast and now in the afternoon.
I have made the transition back to work and have had a busy ,useful but at times frustrating week. Highpoint of the week was Jan's visit to her consultant where we were given the fantastic news that all is going well one year almost exactly since treatment stopped!
I have posted a photo of me at work today on the restarted project-do feel free to have a guess as to what I am gluing and painting .More information very soon.

Musing darkly

2012-01-06T23:38:00.000-08:00

It is early Saturday morning, coffee mug in hand. I am up trying to work up enthusiasm for the mind numbing paperwork needed for my return to work on Monday. I am getting nowhere. I say to myself that I am fortunate to have had a long holiday and I should be ready to return to the fray.I am not.

My mind has gone over the half finished ( or should that be half-baked) hobby projects that lie as ideas in jotters and bitty lead/plastic around the house and in the shed.Little to show for years of spending and collecting that is valid.In some way I wish I had concentrated all my efforts into a few grand projects but I am also glad I have been a butterfly flitting around the hobby.Fickle fellow me.Nevertheless there is little of quality and originality in my hobby output and whereas I often gain inspiration from other's hobby work all I can see is the more disciplined,better achieved and more eloquently described work of others...
Maybe its just a bad ,dark morning in Tradgardland.

Health Warning 3

2012-01-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

Any suggestions for "Old School" style figures to depict the french of around 1792- the scruffier the better!

Health Warning 2

2012-01-05T23:41:00.000-08:00

I knew it would happen. Whilst taking down the Christmas decorations and throwing out old papers and extracting articles from magazines prior to recycling I came across the two books pictured here- Funcken and Haythornthwaite. I have kept them since I started ( and eventually downsized when moving 15 years or so ago) a Revolutionary War set up circa 1989.In the Funcken I found Nafziger orders of battle now mottled at the edges and scribbled upon with notes about the Hincliffe Survorov Russian and French I bought then.

Anyway I spent part of yesterday looking at the books which are excellent and filled with superb pictures and info.Something came back to me that Jean Louis said about an integrety of my Tradgardland blogging/collecting etc. It started me thinking about the Duchy of Tradgardland in 1792- a conservative state which has retained it's army since the SYW more or less the same ( ie my current Ducal 25mm army) and faced with the Revolutionary Gallian (French) forces and their new tactical doctrines. I imagined the Gallian Duc de Padirac leading an emigre unit ...

Wargamers Annual 2012 you have a lot to answer for :)

Health warning required?

2012-01-04T09:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I ordered a book over the phone from Caliver and it arrived today- splendid service indeed! The book (Wargamer's Annual 2012) is fantastic and inspirational.Packed with great articles and ideas it is just what one needs on a dreek Scottish evening.However I fear it should carry a health warning for what it could do to one's bank account! Loads of ideas for new periods, scenery etc.Steady in the ranks I say! I am rather too tempted by the emigres and the Revolutonary War...
I was really interested to read of the reissue of the Grant's WW2 book with additions- oh no another temptation.

1860's Tradgardland -getting the look right...

2012-01-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

I have been painting and organising today.This project began last August and was planned even longer ago.A little was done on the holiday of the Royal Wedding and then put aside unitil now. I want units of around 12 figures for infantry and am still undecided for cavalry and artillery. The figures represent the Tradgardland Ducal forces of around 1864. I am looking for units which look good on the table as well as giving an impression of the warfare of the mid 19th century. The game will be fought with only a few units aside on a smallish table.The photos show an infantry regiment with skirmishers sent forward (perhaps next time I ought to get firing figures for the skirmishers?) one with a movement tray and one without. Movement trays are useful to define formed troops as well as to aid movement on the tabletop- lazy chap am I not? I would be interested in your thoughts on my organisation as well as advice on cavalry...
Finally I want to use my informal rules free gaming as I have done in the 18th century.How should the game differ? What are the key elements of the period warfare? I await your ideas gentlemen...

Wind and Wuthering

2012-01-02T23:33:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 7.30 a.m
We planned to go over to Edinburgh today but the severe weather warnings from the Met office changed our minds. I awoke at 6.45 a.m and heard the rain and wind battering the Duchy! Last night we watched "Endeavour" on ITV1 and I thought it was excellent. I am a great fan of Inspector Morse,less so of Lewis but loved this new Endeavour. Morse was depicted in his youth of the 1960s and his earliest days of detective work.Well worth a watch chaps.
I couldn't resist this 18th century picture of a windy day in Edinburgh in the days when she was the Athens of the North.

Yesterday tried to sort things out re hobby stuff,paint a little and think about what to do this year, One definite is to game more. Hopefully to establish a monthly game with my regular opponent Phil. The ACW will feature large in our gaming and plans. I have sent for a couple of artillery pieces complete with crews and odd figures to complete units in the brigade. Hopefully Dixon will dispatch these soon. I am keen to solo game more too- time and energy allowing. With this in mind I have shifted all the Umstrittental units into a box file for pickupability.I am more inclined to game if I don't have to hunt stuff out. Gosh that wind is hollowing outside- last year snow this year wind? The Forth Bridges are suseptible to closure and this "ups" things greatly with regard to travelling to work. I am fortunate to not have to go out today! Other hobby plans are up in the air at the moment.I have loads of ideas,half finished schemes and loads of lead around. I feel I have lost my way a little with vbcw gaming- I never game it ,try to model too diverse a range of stuff and don't really get anywhere with it. Yesterday I found a half started project of 1860's Old School style wargaming set in Tradgardland. Some figures looked good and I could have enough for some gaming- hmmmm. Loads to think about as I pour another coffee and throw a metaphorical log on the metaphorical fire...
Finally the title of this post came from an album by the band Genesis who I have loved since I discovered them in my teens- this album was possibly one of their best in my opinion.

The Carpenter's Guild of the town of Sumpf in Umstirittental

2012-01-02T05:06:00.000-08:00

The countryside surrounding the town of Sumpf is famous(or should that be notorious) for the foul smelling swamps which are the bane of traveller and local alike. The local people use long poles to aid their travelling by vaulting over drainage ditches and stagnant pools. This is a custom similar to the inhabitants of Ditchmarschen.

The local carpenter's Guild provide the town with a company of jaeger. Here you can see them with Guild banner,equipped with the aforementioned long poles and rifled muskets. In difficult terrain the company is formidable in spite of their reluctance to attend shooting practise on Sundays after church...

Anyone got a spare Elric etc...

2012-01-01T23:20:00.000-08:00

Monday morning early...
I'm up painting some 25mm imagination stuff- a colourful change after all the acw of earlier in the hols. At Hogmany we watched 84 Charing Cross Road as a family.A superb film and one that had me hankering for my old habit of going round 2nd hand book shops in search of elusive personal treasures.Now I use Amazon! Memo to me- must go more bookshops this year.
On the subject of books I had a very pleasant time yesterday reading my Elric short novels/stories. After walking to and from Church and having a splendid meal I enjoyed the adventures of Elric and Moonglum.I wold dearly like a figure of each for Songs of Blades and Heroes gaming. If you can help let me know ...

New Year

2011-12-31T08:04:00.000-08:00

The Duke of Tradgardland heralds in another New Year with fireworks in the pleasure gardens surrounding the palace.May I take this opportunity to wish a Happy New Year to you all for 2012 when it comes!

Yesterday's game

2011-12-30T22:14:00.000-08:00

Our trial game using the aforementioned new ACW rules went really well yesterday.Jan,Wendy & the girls watched a film (About a boy- excellent well worth seeing if you haven't,one of our favourites) while Phil and I gamed.Afterwards once the lead and plastic were packed away we all ate together. A most agreeable time was had by all.
The rules worked really well and gave us a result with minimal brain ache- something that cannot be often said of rules we have tried for diverse periods.We felt the factors will be easily memorised and the game will flow even quicker in future. We have agreed to try and game more often in 2012. The figures are Foundry,Perry and the odd Dixon for the Union and all Dixon for the Confederacy.All in 28mm.

Update

2011-12-29T03:16:00.000-08:00

Another wet and blustery day in Tradgardland. Yesterday was my Mother's 80th birthday and we all went out for lunch with her to celebrate at Mackenzie's restaurant in Colinton, Edinburgh.A convivial time and excellent food was had by all. A busy but enjoyable day was had by us.
Before breakfast I finished the Union Brigade I will need for tomorrow initial acw game using the Foundry rules by David Bickley. I will augment these chaps with cavalry,artillery and further infantry soon.
I am thinking about what projects to do in 2012.I am currently involved in the aforementioned ww1 campaign with Paul of FLW and hope to do one with Jimho of Syldavia. Figures need to be painted for the latter and i would like to augment the forces of Tradgardland from my unpainted metal pile.Much to plan ... It has been here over the last week (not to mention the term just ended) so a quieter day is in order as well as a reread of the rules too.

A picture etc...

2011-12-26T22:39:00.000-08:00

Since I began my blog I have really enjoyed the searching out of inspiring and interesting images for it. Pictures have always been integral to the whole Tradgardland thing. I set myself a challenge of finding one image to convey the 18th century Duchy in winter and I have settled upon the one above.Let me know what you think.
I have been most fortunate over Christmas with gifts including the following- a 2nd hand copy of Roy Dilley's "Scale model Soldiers" which I loved as a boy, an account of the archaelogical dig at Jamestown called "Jamestown the buried truth" by Kelso and recruits (currently being painted) for the acw game on the 30th. I also got a very useful piece of stationary with fantastic wargaming potential.If you want to know more pop over to my Army Red/White Blog. Off to peruse the work of my fellow bloggers ,drink more coffee and then get back to the painting...

Christmas Eve in Tradgarland

2011-12-24T01:30:00.000-08:00

It is now Christmas Eve in the Duchy of Tradgardland.Every year a ceremony takes place in the barracks square in Tradgardstadt. The militia regiments present the Duke of Tradgardland with a Christmas tree for his palace. In exchange the Duke presents his loyal and brave soldiers with barrels of salted herring and mulled ale for the celebrations ahead...
This will be my last post before Christmas Day and may I take this chance to thank you all for your support,comments and ideas this past year. Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us here in Tradgardland.May you have a glorious day tomorrow.

Put out more flags

2011-12-22T06:29:00.000-08:00

Home for the hols from school now- that is me until Jan 9th 2012! We had the Nativity play in church a.m and then a convivial gathering briefly in the staffroom. It is good to be off. I was grateful to a fellow blogger (tinsoldier) for posting the trailer to "The Hobbit" which I had not seen- roll on 14th Dec next year!I can't wait...
Some posts ago Jim (I think) commented upon my flags so I thought I would post on them. The Duchy of Tradgardland's army is comprised ,on the whole, of militia regiments .They are maintained and funded by the Guilds. The flags reflect this - for example in the province of Smaaland they make raquets and balls for tennis,exporting them across Europa.Hence they have this depicted on their flags. Others shown depict the "sun in splendour" badge of the duke.
When I began this blog some years ago I painted my flags( badly on paper) but soon changed over to designing them on the computer and printing them out. I searched in vain for an example of my early efforts to no avail last night to photograph with these more recent ones.

House building in Tradgardland...

2011-12-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

Having been impressed recently by Tidder's buildings I decided to have a go myself.I resized a photograph,printed it out and glued it to card.It was then scored and cut to size. I am pleased with the results whch will form the edge of the wargaming table and can also be used as a free standing 3D one too.I am pleased with the results.The next stage will be to add different coloured shutters and other details.

Finished!

2011-12-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

The tree now decorated including some decorations from the 1920s which my father had on his tree as a boy.We have kept them very carefully and will pass them on to the next generation.

The road less travelled...

2011-12-18T03:35:00.000-08:00

After church today we went straight to Blairadam forest ( a few miles north of Dunfermline and run by the Forestry Commission) to buy our Christmas tree. We have been going there for ours the last 14 years give or take a few years when we have used a growing one which is still in the garden in a pot. Here is a photo of the tree back at the Duchy as I forgot to take the camera with us. Blairadam is nearby and the road winds down to the forestry centre through dense woods which the imaginative (me) might perceive to contain boar,bears and other large mammals. We hope to decorate the tree later today and post an image here

Outwith the Imperium camp...

2011-12-17T07:45:00.000-08:00

Saturday at last! Went uptown en famile a.m today and did a little shopping but came back prior to the crowds. Jan is at her work lunch today which is being held in a Californian restaurant in Edinburgh.I am too tired to paint effectively and once some ironing etc was done I set up a small game between the Imperium and the Duchy of Tradgardland. The situation was a Tradgardland advance guard coming upon the outskirts of the Imperium army camp unexpectedly. The game was played solo using no rules but ideas thoughts etc from many set informally held in my mind.It was fun ,relaxing and I must do it more often! I enjoyed see the Ducal forces on the table after a too long absence.

Of Elric and Cooperative Learning...

2011-12-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Well,sadly, my three days Cooperative learning course ended this afternoon. I have rarely been inspired by CPD events in the past but this was different. Inspirational teacher (Chris Ward ,a Canadian) good company and great food provided by the Home Economic students of Tynecastle High School.I return (reluctantly) to the chalkface/trenches with good ideas...

My companion,in the form of a book, on the train journeys was a compendium of Elric novels by Michael Moorcock. I loved his books,read them in my teens & twenties and gave them to Charity ( along with many others of various kinds) when I had to downsize dramatically my book collection many years ago. I have not really picked them up since and was pleasantly surprised how well they read after all this time.I am gripped once more by the character and the creativity of Moorcock.

Snow,no, Elks and a map question...

2011-12-10T04:32:00.001-08:00

After the storms of Thursday we awoke to snow lying a few inches deep this Saturday. Life is hectic here and it is busy with different family members needing to be diverse places at diverse times.I am working this Sunday ( Cooperative Learning 9- 4.30 leaving home at before 7am) with the course continuing Monday & Tuesday .I will not be at school theses days therefore & can't make up my mind wheter this is a good or bad thing.

A recent post at the Duchy of Stollen - http://grandduchyofstollen.blogspot.com/
talks of "No Days" - a need to just have some R&R for oneself/family at this time of year.I feel the Duke of Stollen has an excellent point to make there.

Finally a confession- I love elks ( or Moose to our American friends) and think they are fascinating animals.Here is one from the Black Forest (bought by Jan in Oct in Peebles) which I was given today as we approach Christmas . He will feature in our decorations this year.
Finally my school was having a clear out and kindly gave me some 1966 25 inches to the mile maps of where I grew up in Edinburgh.Any hobby thoughts about how I could utilise such fascinating reminders of my youth?

Storm and Impetus

2011-12-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Fife and City of Edinburgh schools closed at lunchtime due to extreme weather. I had a horrendous journey over the Forth Rail Bridge in an over crowded train. The train crawled over the bridge and swayed in a way I have never known before. As a result we were all home by mid to later afternoon. The wind howls outside but we are cosy and safe for the night.
I am posting images of my completed Basic Impetus armies. The Scottish mythological includes amongst others- a base of kelpie,sidhe in chariot and on foot,a druidic shaman and the fachan.Note one of the "old things" as Kipling calls them- old gods who survive in diminised form.In this case it is the Dagda. The Highland/Islands army has skirmishers,armoured islesmen and fierce highlanders.
Those of you still to jouney home I wish you safe travel and a peaceful evening by your hearth.

An update...

2011-12-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

Another hectic week here in the Duchy. I have started the ACW project and am raising the following Union forces:

3rd brigade Col T B W Stockton

20th Maine inf regt

Michigan Sharpshooters,Brady's Company

16th Michigan Inf Regt

12th New York inf regt

17th new york inf regt

44th new york inf regt

83rd Pennsylvania inf regt

I have committed to a trial game with the new rules on the 30th of December so I am getting my skates on re painting. A limited palette does help compared to the 18th century...
Am thinking of my initial dispostions for Paul's WW1 campaign and first moves will be soon.I am commanding Army Black and have much to ponder.Photos and updates etc will appear on Paul's blog.
Painted two ww1 figures in 28mm and am pleased with the results.One is the Duke of Tradgardland of 1919 and the other is his aide de camp. The figures are from a period of great turmoil in the Duchy where diverse factions fought an overspill campaign from the Left v Right chaos which torn Germany apart. Ducal,Freikorps,Left,right and others fought over Tradgardland with the Duke at the centre things.

Trial by Fire...

2011-12-04T22:17:00.000-08:00

The following day sees our hero encountering Croats in the winter flecked woods. A trial by fire ( thankfully not accurate )sees this brave Tradgardlander survive once more...

At Dawn

2011-12-03T11:34:00.000-08:00

After travelling through a cold and wintry night a young Tradgardland Militiaman finally arrives at his destination as the light of a new day dawns. Exhausted he knocks in an certain way upon the ancient doors in the hillside and asks to be allowed in in the name of Sarastro. The door is unbolted ,a servant stands within holding a lit lantern.Whispers are exchanged and the Militiaman follows him down the stairs...

Warg !

2011-12-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

The wolves are becoming a menace on the borders of Tradgardland as winter approaches.They decend from the Umstrittental Mountains in search of easy pickings.Here we see a patrol encountering a pack.A well aimed shot ,the wolves depart only to regroup once more under the cover of darkness.

The ice schooners cometh...

2011-11-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

The ice schooner fleet is assembling in the Disputed Valley.Boats have been fixed upon runners,rafts assembled,gunpowder barrels gathered and cannon cleaned in preparation. The winter fleet will patrol the frozen lakes and wider rivers.All that is needed is the addition of masts and sails then the fleet will be ready...

I have had a good day not at work- coffee & cream scones whilst out with Jan,some work completed,the ice schooners built and helping my daughter think about her 6th form dissertation on three Gothic novels and time to read too.

Arrival in Tradgardland

2011-11-29T23:36:00.000-08:00

I am not in work today and will be able to have a good look at these rules which arrived in the post yesterday. Thanks to my regular opponent Phil I was alerted to an unmissable offer on these rules which I snapped up. On preliminary glance they look inspirational being packed with lovely and evocative photos of the period.The rules look just what I need for an acw project also- they even have a trad style morale test too. So I will peruse them at my lesiure today and be inspired to paint my Union troops . My mind has gone in another direction too ( and that says much about me I fear) whch is thinking of an Invasion from Canada in support of the Confederacy. I don't know what Canadian uniforms of the period loked like but I could find out! Steady the line...

Winter comes to the Valley...

2011-11-29T11:16:00.000-08:00

In the Disputed Valley preparations are afoot for the forthcoming campaign. The sleigh mounted artillery are being taken out of storage and prepared.Horses will soon pull the guns across the wintry wastes...

Snowed under...

2011-11-28T22:15:00.001-08:00

This day,St Andrew's Eve, sees me snowed under at work with a veritable blizzard of paper-serving exercises to complete.They (along with the ever changing goalposts) have left me very tired and very disgruntled. Last weekend was busy work and family wise but some hobby work was attempted. When I have picked up batteries for the camera I will post a picture or two. In the meantime I have posted some fascinating 18th century ( the gun is Napoleonic) winter transport solutions which I feel would grace any wargames table/imagination in miniature.

Winter preparations & Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:05:00.000-08:00

As the first flurries of snow come to the Duchy of Tradgardland and the Umstrittental Valley ( the disputed and fought over land that lies between Tradgardland and the Imperium) the armies move into winter quarters.However it is also a time of preparation for winter raids,alarms and excursions. Equipment is being readied,skis waxed and soon all will be ready for some skirmishes...

A Happy Thanksgiving to all American readers especially- enjoy some R&R and maybe some gaming too!

A forthcoming campaign

2011-11-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

For those interested I will be commanding Army Black in the campaign outlined at-

http://funnylittlewars-gardencampaigns.blogspot.com/
Do pop by for a look...

Reading in Tradgardland...

2011-11-22T22:11:00.000-08:00

I sent for this book at the weekend and it has arrived. It is a detailed account of the battle and looks excellent. I have just started it and am finding it an absorbing read. It will provide background to my current mustering of an acw force.
The two BI armies I was working upon are finished and based. I am not the best painter in the world but they will certainly serve. I am already thinking about the next BI army to work on. The size of army suits me as a small but interesting project . Must finish now as I have the 6.47 train to catch to work this Wednesday morning...

Blue Sunday

2011-11-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

My father brought this book home for me nearly 40 years ago.I have kept it ever since and it is falling apart. I took it out today to help me as I was painting my Perry acw figures. All was set up when I discovered I was out of light blue paint- so a change of plan saw me finishing my BI chaps instead.I hope to get some replacement paint at the weekend and begin to get the figures underway.

It being a milder day saw Jan and I getting the garden ready for it's winter sleep- tidying up and generally preparing for the quieter time in the gardening calendar.Yesterday's shopping trip went well and I enjoyed a quieter day today apart from infinitely tedious planning for work- a paper serving exercise in the extreme.

This week in Tradgardland

2011-11-18T23:24:00.000-08:00

Saturday here at last. I am sitting here with my coffee prior to getting a train into Edinburgh. I am taking my mother out Christmas shopping in her wheelchair to the gyle shopping centre. She can walk around the house but needs the chair to be transported in and for any distances. She rarely gets out so I hope she enjoys this one...

Last weekend saw the Kirriemuir show and it was good to catch up with people- esp the Tulloch brothers from my uni gaming days,putting a face to Republicofalnwick (from gwp3) and Phil Olley.The show was small but a good mix of traders.Not to mention Scots pies and coffee. What caught my eye was a superb battle of Harlow game with amazing hilly terrain and a 1920's Irish scenario with wonderful street scene with innovative buildings flanking a wide street.Figures could be put at windows from the table's edge. I browsed much at the b&b and traders,resisted some things and bought only a few Impetus bases from warbases.

Phil W ( my regular opponent and driver to the day) has given me two 24 fig Roman auxiliary eastern archer units to paint- thanks Phil,. One is Garrison and the other Greenwood and Ball- he has had them in his garage for myriad years.They will beef up my Romans excellently and enable me to deal more effectively with his ad69 revolting Germans under civilis or his Celts. Having come to the end nearly of painting my matched BI armies- Highlanders/Islesmen versus Scottish Fantasy I need to decided what to do next. I am tempted to tweak my vbcw forces for a game and need to paint only a few companies. Energy levels are low after a very demanding week at work,not to mention planning to do tomorrow so we will see.
Finally today's picture is of Jim's stout Syldavians which have set up camp here with me for the present. They are splendid fellows on parade as the photo shows and have settled well into their winter quarters here. Their days are spent drilling and their nights singing and telling tales,around the campfire, amongst the autumn leaves under the starry skies. I hope they will get an outing against the Bordurians very,very soon...

Painting pictures- camera restored...

2011-11-11T23:43:00.000-08:00

Off to the Kirriemuir show in one and a half hours. Up on Saturday morning finishing my current novel,wondering what to read next and drinking coffee. I have fiddled with the camera and it is sort of working. If I fiddle with the buttons enough in ignorance it sometimes comes right. It has worked again-huzzah!
I am able to show what I've been painting . Some wolves to use for skirmish gaming and to pop into woodland during games just for fun. They can be used for the Syldavian forests and Tradgarland woods not to mention the Scottish Highlands. Next are the Medieval/renaissance highlanders- including the general's base complete with clan chief,bard,piper and strident cleric/domestic chaplin. Finally my Fachan. In BI terms he is as follows- Type= FP M=10 VBU=7 I=3 & VDU=3
He is the first of my mythological chaps ready although the kelpie is nearly done.
Today I must pick up some more bases from Warbases ( excellent local company who make bases,movement trays and buildings- just gogle them) to carry on with the BI work. Have an enjoyable day one and all.

Cameraless upon the weekend...

2011-11-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

Friday night at last...
In Service this afternoon was most interesting- a look at new technology in the classroom. I was most taken with the smartboard which could be used horizontally. We looked at Google Earth on it and I could help thinking it could be used as virtual terrain to wargame upon. This observation I did not share with collegues I might add- I am deemed eccentric enough I fear!
I have finished a number of Impetus bases this week and wanted to post pictures here- four highland heavy infantry and a fantasy unit in the form of a one legged,one armed ,club equipped giant called a Fachan.
Alas the digital camera is on the blink again.I will consult the experts- my daughters later. Off tomorrow to the wargames show at Kirriemuir. Always an enjoyable drive through lovely countryside followed by a cup of coffee in the town and an excellent pie in the show's canteen. Not to mention the games and stalls to peruse. We are not going to do a display game this year just to have a look around.Anyone readers of this blog going?

BI , Islesmen and Iona

2011-11-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Thirty two or so summers ago I spent time during my summer holidays on the beautiful island of Iona. One year I worked as a volunteer on an archaeological dig ( to investigate the Columban Monastery) and other years I volunteered or cooked at the Youth Camp on the island. I had super times and went back sometimes for reunions betwixt Christmas and New Year. I loved the island and found it inspirational and hope to return en famille one day...
When there I often went into the small museum and gazed upon the stone effigies of medieval highland warriors. Today I was rummaging around the shed ( as part of my tidying/rationalising/rummaging for figures outings) and came upon enough figures to do a Basic Impetus Highlands and Islands army to go alongside the Scottish Mythological one I am still working on. A very pleasant time was spent touching the figures up with paint and sorting them into prospective bases/units.

Check-in...

2011-11-05T00:40:00.000-07:00

Morning all! Just finished watching the 2nd last episode of "Downton Abbey" on i player and thought I would check-in with you all. In my class at the start of the day each child says briefly how they are feeling and why after saying good morning.This is check-in. It is a useful way of gauging where they are "at" and seeing if further conversations are required...
Little to report- too caught up at work ( very depressing paper serving times of planning and recording, redeemed by working with the children-after all what it is really about) and busy at home ( not to mention a cold I seem to have had non stop for weeks- nearly 8 I think) too.In a result over tired! I have been watching "Gettyburg" and "Ride with the devil" on dvd of late and been reading around the acw. Some plans are forming with regard to this.
I have done little painting ( and remain a tad dissatisfied with my results) except for some Sidhe and a fachan for BI. Went to the local club and enjoyed a board game based on Formula One motor racing - nice mechanism with a different dice for each gear. Also saw a superb 15mm BI refight of Magnesia whilst there.

Scottish Mythology for Basic Impetus...

2011-10-23T07:14:00.000-07:00

I have been out to the Lead Mountain in the new garage...
I have been put off the Greek Mythological idea for Basic Impetus by the potential cost!!! I have, with a rummage out in the garage, come up with another idea/cunning plan based upon Scottish Celtic mythology. The fantasy elements will be allied to my Picts/scots.I have the fantasy figures and pict/scots already apart from one. Here are the ideas so far-
Firstly a unit of Sidhe-foot warriors from the Faerie Court as well as a chariot sidhe unit.Secondly a Fachan - a one armed,one legged giant armed with a massive club.Thirdly a waterhorse/kelpie to cause terror in opponents.Finally(so far) is the urisk/ourisk a Scottish equivalent of the satyr as a skirmishing /lurking type of creature. Back to work tomorrow so this may have to wait to the weekend...

Gods,Generals and Bordurians...

2011-10-21T23:56:00.000-07:00

It has been good to be off at half term. The weather has left much to be desired but I have got things done and been out and about a bit.In to Edinburgh a couple of times and up to St Andrews etc.The 18th century Bordurians are moving on and I am quite pleased with them .There are now 40something( number not age that is) balkan irregs to paint which are undercoated and ready to commence.
I have finally finished the film "Gods and Generals" and really enjoyed it. I was most taken with Stonewall Jackson and when funds allow I intend to invest in a biography of him .I have now started "Gettysburg" which arrived the other day and have begun to watch it- missing Jackson already! I played a lot of ACW gaming in my uni days using Johhny Reb 2 which worked well and gave an excellent game too. I am tempted to dip a toe in this period again. I played " Brother against Brother" a few years ago but didn't like the mechanisms really at all.We shall see...
I am resolved too to get some games of Basic Impetus in. My LBA Scandinavians are still to be given their first game. Hopefully soon. I don't really like unhistorical opponent games ( no Charles the Bold versus Sumerians for me- that 's fine if it is your thing but it isnt mine) so it is really my fault!
I have been rereading Thomas Burnett Swann - looking out the book you see depicted here which I got circa 1978. I have soo enjoyed this tale embedded with Greek mythologies once more. If you haven't read any of Swann I urge you to do so. I you have read him it is worth returning to again.
Fired up by such reading I began to plan a Basic Impetus army based upon Greek myths such as dryads ,centaurs etc. I used the Internet to research this most pleasantly. However having found useful figures I am confronted with £6 a centaur or worse. I know they are lovely figures,someone has to design,cast and make a living but it does not make for an affordable hobby I fear . This plan will have to wait I fear!!!!
Oh by the way there seem to be a variety of BI fantasy rules out there - a tad confusing. But those centaurs are lovely....
I hop you enjoy the weekend whatever you do.Off for annual flu jab today and then begin the process of getting my mind into a work mode again!

Autumn in Borduria-the army on the march...

2011-10-20T03:22:00.001-07:00

It is autumn now in Borduria.The army is on the march. A heavy cavalry lancer unit,a unit of light cavalry and a unit of Janissaries are depicted here. More information on the background to the 18th Century Bordurian army soon...

A BIG filmclip... with echoes of Borduria?

2011-10-17T00:02:00.000-07:00

A busy weekend with no painting accomplished.I thought I would share this with you in case any of you do not know the Big Knights. Do watch,hopefully you will enjoy it and let me know what you think. There is something of Borduria about it

And now for something completely different- another distraction...

2011-10-15T00:25:00.000-07:00

I have been lurking around colonial blogs of late as well as diverse stempunky/vsf sites too. I have been inspired by what I have seen. I owned Space 1889 many moons ago and found it fascinating. So as half term has arrived I decided to seize the day - well give it a little grasp that is. I downloaded ( a terribly convenient way of spending money in the comfort of one's home...) the pdf of "When the Navy Walked" rules. I have a Spanish army and American army of the Spanish American war in 15mm. I intend to scratchbuild some landships and away we go!
Ideas,comments, strict instructions to return to the age of the tricorne,etc are most welcome...

Casulty Markers...

2011-10-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

In a fit of enthusiasm for a forthcoming Basic Impetus day event I made some "in period" casulty and disruption markers. Sadly the day sounds like it will not be coming to pass. Nevertheless I have some useful markers for the Nordic Bronze Age Scandanavians and also the desire to do markers for other periods too.

Go East...

2011-10-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

Amaïh! That is Bordurian for welcome.Welcome to some interesting news about a forth coming collaboration with a fellow EvE stalwart- Jim from Syldavia.Follow the link to find out more-

http://syldavianchronicle.blogspot.com/

I look forward to a very exciting autum and winter ahead!

Update from the Duchy

2011-10-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

Morning all! Up with coffee here on Saturday morning.Jan and the girls commence two weeks off school today ( which they are most certainly ready for) and I will have my half term week starting next weekend. It has been a very busy week with parent's nights at school and myriad other tasks there too. I am tired and looking forward to a week off very much. Still the weekend is here .I got up with the good intention of painting some lead but am not awake enough yet...
It has been busy of late here in Tradgardland. Jan had another 3 month check up on Wednesday with her consultant and I am delighted to say all continues to go well. Our next visit in January will mark a year off treatment.
Two weeks ago I nearly had the pleasure of meeting up with Jim from Syldavia but circumstances prevailed against us. Jim has very kindly lent me some 28mm Syldavian troops to "kick start" my Borduria v Syldavia project. Photos and further info soon I hope.Further coffee calls so I shall break off here.

Bordurian standard...

2011-10-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

Although I ran out of superglue, and had to fix the standard on with bluetac, I was keen to post this photo of a Bordurian irregular cavalry standardbearer. The flag was designed by Jim of the EvE Syldavian blog and looks excellent! More news of Bordurians here soon I hope...

Syldavia on film...

2011-10-04T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well not exactly.I thought this video might give an idea of what Syldavia would look like...
Well worth watching for the visuals as well as a wonderfully bad joke by Prince Charles- enjoy!

Fantasy races- how to depict in the 18th Century

2011-10-02T04:13:00.001-07:00

As my previous post tells you I am currently thinking about antiquarian adventurers belonging to a Antiquarian society based in Tradgardland. They will be used in dungeon/wideness adventures.Today I was pondering how other "fantasy races" such as elves,orcs and dwarves would have developed in the 18th century- any thoughts figure suggestions?I would like to perhaps raise other warbands with a 18th century feel to compete against the Tradgardlanders in diverse scenarios...

best wishes

Alan

On the painting workbench

2011-10-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

I have been working on some figures to depict 18th Century Adventurers who ,being of an antiquarian frame of mind,have decided to use antique weapons as well as the their trusty muskets...
One wears a hunting shirt from his sojourn in Ny Tradgardland another a protective coat from New Spain. The solo figure is one I have had lying around for years and years.It is put upon servant who is encumbered with everything his masters might need. Hope to finish them soon tomorrow.

Painting times...

2011-10-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have been busy painting this weekend. I finished the monsters I had been working on for my gaming set in the world of D M Cornish's Monster Blood Tattoo books. You can see them over at my blog http://lamplightershaven.blogspot.com/ devoted to this fascinating imaginary world...

This morning I started some 18th Century Adventurers who belong to an Antiquarian Society. I am enjoying this project and will post images here when done- hopefully later this weekend!

Flaggy thingy bob...

2011-09-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally got my favicon,flaggy thing to work! I thought due to the horticultural nature of the Duchy's name I would use the flag of the Topiary Guild . It seemed appropriate. The flag is carried by the Guild Master's son who is in his 5th year as an apprentice of the Topiary Guild. His final piece involves work upon a yew representation of a vile Stagonian which graces the Duke's Winter Palace garden.

Two questions and returning to my roots

2011-09-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Of late I have sensed a going back to my roots- hence the old D&D piccie. I really enjoyed D&D ( not to mention Bunnies and Burrows at school- I kid you not...) in the late 70's and early to mid 80's. I got out of role playing for years and now find the same excitement I felt then in the Ganesha games -Songs of Blades and Heroes,it's supplements and songs of drums and shakos. The same engine works for fantasy,awi, Monster blood Tatoo,Ny Tradgardland and other of my projects.

I enjoy the planning of warbands as much as I enjoyed my characters from my RPG days. I played a lot of druids in those days - so much so that it became my nick-name in certain circles at the time. So here I am nearly 30years later getting back into the sort of games I enjoyed then- this time mainly solo.
Finally two questions-

1) Ideas please for 18th century adventurer figures please- the quirkier the better

2) Ideas for the sort of adventurers I knew in my D&D days- druids,cleric, etc- you know the types. I am not so up to speed on fantasy figure manufacturers so I'd be grateful for some pointers...

Packs etc sought..

2011-09-25T07:18:00.001-07:00

Can anyone suggest a source of 25mm/28mm scale packs,pouches,spare weapons and sundry items to equip an 18th century adventurer prior to going off on an adventure?
many thanks in anticipation
Alan

A reccomendation to watch...

2011-09-23T23:43:00.001-07:00

Morning all! Weekend at last...

Hopefully you will have some free time and can I suggestion you drop by at http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b014vy94/ for an excellent programme on the English Civil War artist

William Dobson. Go on treat yourself you deserve it.

Good reads and "... another door opens."

2011-09-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

Rob had kindly offered to send me his Mythical Earth figures. The five figures arrived today and were in fact from Minifig's D&D range...

I was a tad disappointed not to see some figures from my youth but delighted see the pig faced orcs. I have never owned pig faced orcs before ( to be honest I always was unsure of these D&D chaps- I had always been told that Gary Gygax had had a misunderstanding with his illustrator - perhaps you know better) but am excited at the prospect of using them as a warband of orcs for Songs of Blades!
Perhaps I might take on Ross's early Citadel chaps if he's interested!
Also posted is a photo of a couple of excellent reads I am savoring at present- the Pike&Shot Society's journal and a magazine of Living History from the America.

At gnome today in the KFC...

2011-09-19T06:30:00.001-07:00

Monday Holiday in Edinburgh has meant I am not at Work today,unlike the rest of the family. It has been a busy day with some school work to plan, housework,shopping,garden tidying and of course some hobby time! I have painted and based figures for some skirmish gaming I hope to do ,set in that small corner of the Mohawk Valley that is the KFC. Karl Frederick County, home to immigrants from the Duchy of Tradgardland that find themselves caught up in the awi/American revolution.
The photos include the first figures for both sides .Firstly the British Rangers and their Iroquois allies .Secondly KFC militia and rifle armed woodsmen. I also took Blue Bear Jeff's advice and watched some of the "Last of the Mohican's on dvd over lunch- excellent film as ever! A simpler lifestyle in some ways I guess.One which sense tells me not to over romanticise.

Finally I could not resist posting a picture of my gnomes which I found when cleaning up outside today. The small one belonged to my Grandma and dates to the 1930s.It is made of some odd rubbery composition stuff and originally pushed a wee barrow . The second bigger gnome,made of terracotta ,I chose in the mid 1960s and I have had ever since.He originally carried a wooden rake. They evoke memories for me of my family garden and that of my grandma. They continue to bring me pleasure after all theses years I have to admit...

From Bergmann's "Events and counter events of the years of struggle" published 1793 in Leith ,Edinburgh...

2011-09-17T23:17:00.000-07:00

In 1772 that half of New York which held borders with the Indian lands and Canada was separated from Albany to form two Counties. The majority was named Tyron County and the smaller part Karl Frederick County ( henceforth known as KFC) for posterity.

Both Counties entered the war divided. Some communities and families joined whole-heartily with the revolution whist others remained loyal to old ties and bonds. In the KFC those of German Palatinate and Tradgardland origins had no great attachment to England and were subject to less agonising. Many favoured rebellion and others remembered how ill they had been used by the rich families of the area...

Invaluable resources and diverse matters

2011-09-17T00:40:00.000-07:00

It is Saturday morning here in Tradgardland with places to go and people to see- in this case my Mother's monthly shop and a visit to the Gyle Shopping centre. Last evening was partially spent ( when not watching an excellent bbc archaeology prog at 9pm) organising awi militia, rangers,Iroquois etc for a Sounds of Drums and Shakoes solo game later this weekend.It will be based in the Mohawk Valley.
As I needed to look some information up in these books I thought I would post a picture of three old friends- books I have found invaluable over the years. I have had them between 20 and 25 years now and they have provided many enjoyable hours of browsing not to mention inspiration for painting and gaming.

Two foot square...

2011-09-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

At home now,after lunch and listening to the cricket on radio 4...

This box was originally purchased as a jolly useful portable set up for dba ( 15mm ) and the alike from S&A Scenics many,many moons ago. It contained a rolled mat,some roads,hills,rivers etc for 15mm games. Quite a useful bit of kit which has seen many games over the years!

Of late I have used it to keep 25mm scenery and odds n ends too. I thought it might well perform as a skirmish set up for 25/28mm games,one which can be packed away and kept in a cupboard for when necessary- space being ever an issue. So I thought I would set up a wee scenario set in the 18th Century. It all proved to be great fun and the mat/scenarywill work well for SB&H etc skirmish rules not to mention HOTT etc in 15mm. I hope to set up a section attack or two set in the 1938 of a VBCW to try it for size too.Let me know what you think chaps. BTW the Arquebusier has arrived today but I am keeping it for later

Ooops etc... Friday Morning early

2011-09-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely meal for Anna's Birthday (16th not 15th actually- early morning typo/miscalculation I fear) and Jan did her proud with cooking an excellent meal and baking a birthday cake too.This was preceded by the opening of the cards and pressies- a good evening had by all.
I have been enjoying ,of late, Hamish Macbeth on dvd .I have seen each episode many times but still find it funny,quirky and entertaining every time I watch.It is set in the Highlands and features a policeman named as in the title and a whole host of characters.Do give it a whirl if you havent seen it at all!
Suffered yesterday an hour of online iplanner training to "help" plan maths at school. Oh brave new world-not! This is my September long weekend with me free from lunchtime until school starts on Tuesday. Some paperwork and chores to do but I hope to set up a solo game or two and perhaps paint. Can't shift this cold- one downside of working with younger children is being constantly sneezed and coughed upon. Off for the train in ten mins - have a good day one and all!

Perhaps a tad impatient...

2011-09-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening I posted a request on OSw,GWP3 Tardis and somewhere else I can't remember! I haven't had any replies and perhaps(as it is 6.00am 14/9/11 as I write this...)I am being a tad impatient. I am looking for some Mythical Earth figures (circa1976) to use in a Songs of Blades and Heroes side project combining these newish rules with Old School figures. I have a few left from the armies I raised at school which have long since gone. I have mentioned them here before and posted piccies of my wargs and wood elves. I am not looking for loads just some to use in skirmishes. Do have a look in the loft and let me know - I am not looking for freebies by the way - in case people have misunderstood me on other groups etc.
Today is my middle daughter's birthday and she will be 15- I can hardy believe it! Today is also a year to the day since Jan began her course of Chemo and I cannot believe that either. It has been a big year,will be an annoying day at work I fear but we look forward to an enjoyable family meal tonight at home.Have a good day one and all!

At the sign of the "Kobold and Cleaver" in Ny Tradgardland

2011-09-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

The faded sign, depicting a strange creature armed with a lethal looking cleaver, swung noisily on its rusty hinges in the evening storm. The shutters rattled at the windows and the candles flickered in the many draughts which made "The Kobold and Cleaver " a rather uncomfortable place to while the autumn nights away. The few customers huddled over their ale and gossiped as was their custom.A solitary figure struck up a popular song but soon grew quiet in the face of overwhelming apathy...

In the cellar it sat ,lapping at the milk left for it in a tin saucer. It had travelled across the sea from Tradgardland with the men,yet unknown to them,and now was the Spirit of this house. It moaned away contentedly to itself aware of others like it yet different in the woods and clearings nearby. Like the men upstairs it was a stranger in a strange land with much to learn and little time to do it in.

Thanks etc

2011-09-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

Some thanks to begin with.
Firstly ,as no one has come forward yet, many thanks for the mystery donor who donated an excellent 25mmm lantern on a pole. I could not read your signature but I am very delighted to add it my Lamplighter Quatro.
Secondly on the subject of magazines- Springinsfeld I am a member already of the P&S society having rejoined after some years away from it and am looking forward to the next arquebusier very soon. Will have a look at "history Today " when next up town...
Martin I am so grateful for the link to Backwoodsman - I have been trying to recall the name for ages.The magazine brought me so much pleasure years ago and I am glad to renew my acquaintance with it- have asked for a quote for single issue/subscription cost. The Journal of the early Americas looks really interesting too- I have am going to ask for a trial copy. I feel my reading could be on the up and up!

Sunday night already- too much to do including the dreaded school related paperwork/paper-serving planning. Another week starts tomorrow! I enclose a photo of our garden produce from yesterday's evening meal preparation. Cutting the grass and digging around the new shed/summerhouse/garage ( what will I call it?) gave me time to think and plan hobby wise. That combined with a find of my Ral Partha(?) 25mm French -indian war figs and canoes in a box has led me to do much thinking on reviving Ny Tradgardland as I began some time ago. I enjoyed my mental trip in to the imaginary colony just south of Louisberg...

20 years (plus) after...

2011-09-09T22:52:00.000-07:00

Well over 20 years ago I used to go to a shop in Glasgow called Tower Records which was an excellent shop with a wide range of products. I remember buying an American magazine - card unglossy cover,black and white illustrations only which contained articles abouts homesteading,American folklore,the outdoors and diverse interesting stuff. I eventually subscribed for some years...
I cannot now recall the magazine's name nor little about it- the copies have loooong since gone. I have a yen to have a look again at it .Any suggestions about what it could be?

Whilst on the subject of magazines I must say I find it hard to find anything consistently to my taste. The wargames glossies are ok ( or sometimes not at all) but little depth in terms of articles- all eye candy and merchandising. I subscribed to "Battlegames" for a while and it was better. Phil Olley's was grand but now on hold/gone. I am interested in living History but find "Skirmish" bitty and superficial. I have bought "On the Trail" from the US and really enjoyed it. I buy "Gardens illustrated " every month and find it inspirational- good articles and inspiring visuals. Anyone suggest something to read- who knows I might end up subscribing and reading regularly in my pride and joy,sorry garage/sun room....

Will the benefactor please stand up...

2011-09-09T06:27:00.001-07:00

On arrival home from work today I found a letter addressed to me containing a lovely 25mm plastic lantern and pole. I cannot read the signature and wondered if my kind benefactor might let me know so I could say a heartfelt thanks...

A shed load of updates...

2011-09-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

Wednesday evening and the latest on the garage.Here is Gary the Joiner and his great work today.We are more than delighted with it so far and cannot wait until it is finished! Reading an excellent pdf translation of a 13th century Norwegian book called "The King's Mirror"- geography,folklore,military detail and sheds loads more fascinating delights to read... fairly cheering up part of lunchtime I can say!

Went the day well?

2011-09-06T22:05:00.000-07:00

It certainly did. This is where the garage got to on Tuesday and was photographed on my return from work at 7pm.Despite the high winds and rain it has been moved on well by Gary. The plan will be to do the work in two phases with the external shell completed this week. Come the new year work will take place to add insulation and flooring to the sitting area,electricity will then be added and we are considering a small wood burning stove too. It will certainly be a glorious place to read,think and plan etc after that. Over this coming winter the garage will provide refuge for Pumpkin the guinea pig who will be visited and illuminated by wind up lanterns.

Songs of blades and garages

2011-09-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

Well Monday evening already.I thought you might like to see how Gary the Joiner has got on in his first day. He has raised the barn,sorry garage ,high and has made an excellent job of it.

Having listened to part of "Just a minute " on radio 4 I took time to set up a trial scenario for "Songs of Blades and Heroes" set in Middle Earth. The elves have been ambushed by large wolves which emerged from the forest.Note only D6 are used in the system and also the handy double-sided downloadable measuring device/rules summary
. The figures are some of the few Mythical Earth figures I have left from my armies of circa 1976.They are Minifigs and I would dearly like to get my hands on some more to use in skirmishing!
The rules are excellent ,give a fun, fast game even solo and are worth a look at.Well ,who do you think won?

Norway 1809

2011-09-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

Not sure if you'll be interested but here is one of the drawings I got hold of some years ago concerning the Norwegians in 1809. It is of an armed civilian or partizan- if interested I could post more...

Stumps and plans...

2011-09-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

Up at 6.30am and three hours later much of the paperwork is
finished! Missed Church but Jan needed a quiet
start to the day to get her energy levels up to speed for the coming week.
Here I am pictured (note Tradgardland Rose socks)working for the third weekend
in a row preparing for the new garage which the joiner will
build this week,the old concrete one having been
removed last week. Yesterday I carried on with the preparation work and dug out the no man's land betwixt our property and the neighbours.Today I attempted to remove a sapling and stump with saw,hammer and iron chisel thing. I almost succeeded and will bow out gracefully using a chemical stump rotter to finish the job...I have also spend some of the day reviewing current and ongoing projects. here are my thoughts in no particular order-

1938 VBCW ongoing -needing to knuckle down to it as my regular opponent is slowly army building

"Song of Skis and Snowdrifts" 1809 Swedish invasion of Norway using songs of drums and shakos skirmish rules- 28mm ski troops,Norwegian irregulars and Swedish troops. Have 90% of figures already .Researched for it for about 15 yrs now...

18th century imagination - ongoing Tradgardland/Umsttitental gaming moving towards big battle a a couple of weeks and "sumf spiel" skirmish game

Newly started Danish/Swedish 13th century stuff- maybe on back burner as a friend has offered me a load of appropriate figures at an excellent price -need to wait until War Chest is fuller for this one. Also wish to do some research on the period before going further..

D.M Cornish's Monsterblood tattoo 18th century world of magic.Skirmishing with SBH rules or Morheim -in planning and looking for good cheap "nickers" at present - any thoughts?

So here we are so many hobby ideas and little energy - hope you are having a good weekend one and all.

Friday...

2011-09-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Friday night at last. I am overly oppressed by planning paperwork and by the ever shifting sands of what I am expected to do...

Work to do over the weekend and little or no energy to do it.Things can only get better! Sorry for being a moan chaps.

Flag unfurled

2011-08-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

A new banner flies in Umstrittental (The Disputed Valley) produced with love and care by women from all the towns that comprise the Umstrittental League. Each of the towns will fly it for a time before taking it to the next.By such a means all will get to see the Great Banner for themselves. In battle the Great banner will accompany the League's troops into action...

I hope ( although no doubt things will intervene) to set up the first battle of the Umstrittental Bund over my September long weekend when there will be time and energy to set a game up and leave it up overnight, playing a solo game over the weekend and when the family are at work and school...

Brief encounter...6.00am Tuesday

2011-08-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

Just a very brief post to say thanks to all who have voted in the recent poll! There has been universal ( almost,but that is another story...) rejoicing at the decision to see the Disputed Valley becoming the League of Umstittental. Gentlewoman have embroidered through the night to produce a League Banner which I will reveal here shortly in all its glory...

Real life ,in the form of issues resulting from the dismantling of our concrete garage and preparation for the the new wooden one,not to mention increasingly arcane short and long term planning formats at work, has left me with little time and even less energy for the hobby!
Finally I am looking to extend my knowledge of 13th century Danish armies- any suggestions most welcome.

Base fellows and a period sojurn...

2011-08-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning at last! My middle daughter is off under canvas with the Guides for the first time, the garage project ( old one being demolished prior to re erection elsewhere and new one being built by joiner) needs work,I have vile work-related paperwork to do and I feel like a wargaming period holiday...

I don'y know about you but I have a core of interests I wargame/collect figures for and others I dabble in. As interest in a period waxes and wanes( 3 holidays to Denmark including a day trip to Sweden 18 years or so ago sowed the seeds of an abiding love of that part of the world,wargaming related to Scandinavia and even the formation of that country known as Tradgardland) I work on another for a bit and then another and so on. The transition one from another is often caused by what I am reading,viewing or even a chat (virtual or real) with fellow wargamers. I immerse myself for some time (days or weeks) move things forward and then go into another period/ I wonder if this rings a bell with any of you?

The core projects remain although they can be lain aside for months ,even years before being revived. Clearing out the garage has shown me the relatively big lead mountain I have and some figures caught my attention again . This combined with the reading of Scandinavian themed Ospreys on the train - catching up on holiday purchases and my ongoing interest in the history of the region,not to mention the recent medieval week postings at

http://dalauppror.blogspot.com/ has provided me with with an interesting wee task this weekend. I have decided to depict 13th century Danes....
Two other thoughts- firstly I continue to be awe struck at just how much research info a wargamer has access to on the Internet. Gone are the days of library crawling on the whole. We are blessed with being able to research the obscurest of armies from the the comfort of our own home -wow I still say!
Secondly I have browsed medieval rules of all shapes and sizes this week as well as reading your helpful reviews/useage of them. I have found them to be a very mixed bunch but none completely filled the bill. Yes I will come back to Retinue and Terry Gore's medieval warfare for other projects but not for this. So my thoughts returned to Fitzbadger's excellent post-
http://soweiterleague.blogspot.com/2010/01/we-dont-need-no-stinkin-rules.html as inspiration. So here we are at last - no/minimal rules and figs on 40mm bases ( like the look and I have loads in the spares box) we shall see what happens. Please excuse the waffling nature of this- up early and the absence of ground coffee have not helped! Enjoy your day...

Frustrations

2011-08-25T04:42:00.000-07:00

I have spent ages trying to leave a comment at http://dalauppror.blogspot.com/ re a kind offer of his to no avail...
Sometimes I could see Blogger far ,far away!!!!!
Technology makes us it's servents rather than the converse I fear- please excuse this grumpy old man.

Cast your votes here...

2011-08-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

I originally posted this last Friday-

"Behind the town walls of one of the most heavily fortified towns in the Disputed Valley men are gathered from all the towns in the valley.Some are the Electors ( who failed to agree upon the election of a new Duke) others are men of influence or those who have seized the opportunity in these difficult days... The Electors ,furnished by Tradgardland and the Imperium, have been forcibly ejected from the town and are making their ways back to their army's respective camps within the Valley. Within the Rathaus a fierce debate rages into the night,through the dawn and into the next day. The men are forging the future and hammering out the Constitution of The League of Umstrittental... "

I have always tried to make my blog intereactive by asking for feedback and comments now I wonder if I can ask you to imagine you are present at the above gathering. Please cast your vote for or against the formation of The League of Umstrittental at the poll at the side. I would gladly bribe/encourage you with free ale and suckling pig but there are is limit to even the Internet I fear. Vote now and have a good day...

Syldavian troops

2011-08-21T11:36:00.001-07:00

I've not been one for "mix n match" armies where the same figures double for different armies. Many do it with ancients but I have not. However I am coming round to the idea more. Here are my Imperium soldiers which , with the aid of a different flag, become units of the Syldavian army! These fantastic flags are by Jiminho and look great with my figures...

Sumpf Speil...

2011-08-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning.

The week and weekend have been too busy so far to paint.I am always surprised,but should not be so, by how little spare time and energy I have upon my return to work. The needs of family come first and hobby takes third place- at least in terms of practical gaming and painting.However there are opportunities to plan,day dream and most importantly scribble notes down for future reference. And so "Sumpf Speil" was born...

Sumpf is German for bog or marsh and is also the name of a town in the Disputed Valley located in a marshy area. The idea came from two main strands- firstly medieval troops in Ditchmarshen using their spears to vault over dykes and some Minifigs I had ordered. The syw figure of an Austrian sharpshooter resting his musket on a spear ( yes ,you know the one) was ideal to portray the light infantry from Sumpf. I imagined them crossing the marshes and drainage channels musket/rifle slung on their back vaulting with spear. The figures are stuck on 2p coins and undercoated awaiting work.

The game emerging in my head involves moving small bodies of troops across a marsh ( with or without a local guide malicious or otherwise) using dice for random movement and hazards.The Sumpf jaeger troops using their local skills to lure their enemies into difficulties perhaps. I had also thought of night actions where a guiding lantern and will o the wisps get mixed up and sow confusion. Maybe some folkloric element of real or imaginary danger can be filtered in too. I am at the early stages but am enjoying the process as I iron,garden and other tasks.

Well that's where we are at present .Over to you for some more ideas or comments- thanks !Sumpf Speil awaits your contribution...

Developments and a question...

2011-08-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

Behind the town walls of one of the most heavily fortified towns in the Disputed Valley men are gathered from all the towns in the valley.Some are the Electors ( who failed to agree upon the election of a new Duke) others are men of influence or those who have seized the opportunity in these difficult days...

The Electors ,furnished by Tradgardland and the Imperium, have forcibly ejected from the town and are making their ways back to their army's respective camps within the Valley. Within the Rathaus a fierce debate rages into the night,through the dawn and into the next day. The men are forging the future and hammering out the Constitution of The League of Umstrittental...

Saturday morning:Dear Reader it has been a busy week here in the Duchy.The new term has begun for all of us-Jan to her school office, the girls to 6th,5th and 3rd year respectively and myself to my to new P2 class . The paperwork ,new curriculum and admin have been infinitely wearisome (hence brief post) but the teaching has gone well. I forget,however,how tired it makes me. It has been a long week!
Finally the question- Can you suggest/recommend a set of medieval skirmish rules to me? I have got Retinue and it still looks good but I am open to other suggestions. Please leave them as a comment here. Finally have a good weekend one and all.

De Saxe Legion in progress...

2011-08-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning: Just a quick post of the Oberspange new-modelled Town Militia on the painting tray. A note through our letterbox,found on our return,from the postman indicated that a wee parcel/box could not be delivered and will have to be collected on Monday. I fear it was further recruits for this unit. I had hoped to have them to hand today but that is not to be...

Figures are carrying the town banner and the cut of uniform and weapons are straight from De Saxe's book.

The Town of Oberspange Summer 1760- one year ago from today...

2011-08-12T22:46:00.000-07:00

The Burgomeister of the town of Oberspange in the Disputed Valley is known for his interest in matters military. As much as it lies within his power and finances he takes a keen concern for the safety of the town. The town walls are kept in good condition,the watch towers manned and the town guard regiment drilled to within an inch of it's life.

For days now Herr Schroeder ( for that if the Burgomeister's name,more accurately Captian Schroeder ,as he is a veteran of the Scmaldz Revolt and subsequent campaigns)
has been pouring over a tome in his study. The book came direct from the publishers in Edinburgh and has engaged him to the cost of his sleeping and eating. "The Reveries or Memories concerning The Art Of War" by De Saxe has supplied Herr Schroeder with all he needs (apart from money and the goodwill of the Town Council) to turn the town guard into a LEGION using the book as a guide for new- modelling.With one final lingering look over the coloured print of a soldier armed and uniformed in the style of De Saxe , Herr Schroeder puts on his best coat,dusts himself down ,puts his sash of office over his shoulder,tucks the book under his arm and goes out to talk to the richest and most influential family who sits upon the Council...

The above is some "fluff" surrounding my small painting project for this final weekend of the summer hols- to get a De Saxe Legion ready for the wargames table to fight in the current campaign. I have a few figures resembling the above print and I have been promised enough to be able to finish the unit.It will be great to see an ,albeit small, De Saxe Legion on my tabletop...

St Clare's Day- a campaign update...

2011-08-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

It is now the Feast day of St Clare , a popular day in the Umstrittental, workers have stopped the harvest, guilds meet in their guild chapels and Mass is also said in the camps of the Tradgardlanders and of the Imperium too. After Mass everyone will partake in the Cinnamon, alexanders and raisin buns sold and eaten on this day traditionally. Local bakers sell their buns around the camps and in the towns of Umstrittental the various militias ground their arms for the day and enjoy the festivities...

The updated map from the Altdorf Porcupine ( a broadsheet of impeccable philosophical obscurantism and salacious gossip) shows where the troops have now arrived. It does not show the disposition of Town Militias who remain within their communities uncommitted to either side. The Porcupine goes on to address the issue of the still vacant role of Duke and laments the lack of progress in coming to consensus. Finally ,amidst adverts for revolutionary new water clocks and supplies for air powered muskets and the alike, comes a warning that in the forthcoming campaign control of the river,river crossings and of the river fleet will be of supreme importance...

Venise- Pandora's box opened!!

2011-08-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

At the BBQ on Saturday Phil was sharing his myriad photos from his recent holiday in Italy. I was most taken with those of Venice- a place I have visited many times in daydreams but not in reality...

This afternoon I looked for 18th century Venetian uniforms OofBs etc and found loads of info including many images of which I have posted one.

Most interesting possibilities for the world of the imaginations I fear. I must resist ,well maybe!

Out and about in Fife...

2011-08-08T23:06:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we went out for the day within the East Neuk of Fife.Our first stop was at Anstruther where we sampled the delights of the award winning " Anstruther Fish Bar" excellent fish well cooked ( Hake in our case) with great chips. The shop is always busy and rightly renown far and near.
After wards we drove to Pittenweem ( as depicted in photos) where it's Arts Festival is currently taking place. Parking was in a field where the weekend's rain had transformed the "road" for cars into a quagmire!

After some light beachcoming- see photo enclosed ,we looked around the venues displaying the work of many artists. You might notice the gazebos which artist erected just outside their houses.
Around the village there are some 90 or houses,galleries,halls etc to visit.People throw open their homes to display their artwork or serve teas etc for the week of the festival. Invited artists display as well as locals. An astonishing variety of talent is on display and we wandered happily for over three hours. The sunne came out and an excellent day was had by all. The vernacular architecture of the buildings is just crying out to be modelled on the tabletop with their stepped gables , pantiles and charm...

An invitation to join in here in diminutive lead style ...

2011-08-07T23:13:00.001-07:00

Any fellow imaginations/bloggers and sundry followers of matters Tradgardlandian , wishing to send representatives ( 25mm or 28mm mounted or on foot) to accompany either the Duke of Tradgardland or Graf von Apfelstrudel on their respective campaigns are invited to send their details to the respective camps now as the campaign season begins in earnest. Chaplains,natural philosophers, aide de camp, diverse characters and mere observers are most welcome. A place may be open to inspiring gentlemen within regiments too...

Those who are thinking of being involved are invited to send a little biographical detail with their figures with the potentiality of this being woven into the plot at some further date...

The Imperium advances...

2011-08-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

A detachment of the Imperium Army makes it's way across the Polkadot plain on the way to the Disputed Valley. Please Click on the photos to see more of the regiments and read their names...

Ain't no stopping us now...

2011-08-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

It has been a custom of many years standing that after Claymore my family go over to Phil W's ( my regular opponent) for a BBQ. The weather has never stopped us in myriad years- one year bbqing had to be conducted under a brolly but we go there in between showers. However this year was different. The rain came on really heavily yesterday and looked set in for the night.This even before a match was lit. However, not to be defeated, the bbq was set under a gazebo as the rain poured all around. Cooking occurred as we all sat around the bbq -sheltering under a combination of gazebo,parasol and wedged brolly. A great time was had by all -the food and company excellent...
On the way home, through the dark and torrential rain, we were treated to two firework displays near the Forth ( one related to a Boyszone open air concert at Hopetoun) which were breathtaking. All in all a good end to the day!

Matters Diverse... a a tad downbeat (sorry-blame the weather perhaps)

2011-08-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

It has been raining very heavily here and I awoke to a wet and dull Duchy... rain still lashing down. Now to move on:
Firstly a link for Jeff re Burntisland:
http://www.burntisland.net/name.htm where I hope he will get some info re the fascinating name.

Secondly regarding Claymore- a rather damp squib! Perhaps it was me or whatever but little caught my imagination- In a word uninspiring. Little games of interest to me- I liked the 40mm 1650s game of the Deluge in Poland,VBCW 1938* was a repeat(albeit an excellent one) of the one we saw last time, big SOA game (using Tactica) but I couldn't bear to go near them/it as a lapsed member of the Society having been a member for over 20 years but one who found less and less in Slingshot to read,a few good ideas in a pow escape game, some ok ecw in 25mm but nothing really caught my fancy at all. Traders were in abundance but nought bought beyond 100 bases (25mm circle) mdf for £2 . Much cheaper than GW ones...
I even forgot to pick up a book from Andy at Old Glory- my apologies Andy!
All in all not too great an experience. However there were good points like coffee and chatting with friends, bumping into folk one had not seen for ages and the alike.

I had hoped to return from the show inspired ( perhaps even distracted from the straight and narrow by a new and potentially exciting period ) but I wasn't - however the apres show was excellent - more of that later today when I have access to photos on my daughter's camera...

*perhaps the sight of some Dinky vehicles from the 1930's being used in the game( great idea guys!) reminded me of my father's ones which I loved as a child,looked for to use in my vbcw project but appear to have lost in moving house some years ago- it would have been so fitting to have used vehicles from the real 1930's in a gaming of the imaginary ones- if you know what I mean...

Saturday morning in Tradgardland

2011-08-05T22:46:00.000-07:00

Just a brief post this morning. Two photos to start the weekend - one is of some of the produce harvested from the garden ( beautifully photographed by Jan) and eaten last night. I get such satisfaction from planting,growing,harvesting and eating our own vegetables etc.I know many of you bloggers have gardens and/or allotments. Do tell us about how your garden etc if getting on .
The second photo depicts Duke Karl Frederick of Tradgardland and a trusted advisor(dismounted) prior to setting off for the Disputed Valley. In under two hours I will be setting off for Claymore in Edinburgh. The annual show promises to be as great as ever. If you are there say hello! A good weekend to one and all...

The Brigadier..

2011-08-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

This morning I decided I needed to work out the personality of the Cavalry Brigadier for Tradgardland. I didn't wish to start from scratch or use an old character. I therefore consulted Tony Bath's Campaign book and the (rather ineptly shuffled) cards...
BTW the cards were purchased about 40 years ago in Switzerland and have rather pleasing illustrations on them not to mention a lovely view of Innsbruck on the back.
Georg Genson- Smaaland Herrengardemeister (Lord of the Manor) has a love of wealth and what it can buy ,is physically handsome, a great lover, prone to taking revenge on those who displease him, is unreliable, energetic and courageous!

However it must be said that his greatest joy can be found looking at the contents of his cabinets of curiosities which fill a whole room within the manorhouse. Within that room can be seen the fruits of a lifetime's collecting,inheriting,bargaining, threatening (and on one occasion even murdering) to gain items for display within the linden wood cabinets. Georg has gone on the expedition with the sole purpose of adding to his collection by any means possible.The duties of a Cavalry Brigadier come a very poor second...

As a fellow member of the Ducal Society Duke Karl Frederick is willing to turn a blind eye to Georg's collecting but only for so long...