Out and about...

We have been out and about a bit. Yesterday,Friday, we went

to Aberdour beach and enjoyed some time walking and beach combing there. We looked across the Forth (five miles) to Edinburgh and it was covered in clouds and what looked like heavy rain. Subsequent looking on the internet confirmed that they had localised flooding and quite a storm. For us all we had was rumbling thunder.

In the background you can see Incholm Priory on the island of Inchcolm. My "wargamer's brain" thought it looked an excellent spot to use as base camp for a raiding /invading force. Plans forming of Republican French threatening the good people of Scotland in 1798 a la Sharpe Practice...

Finally I have posted a pic of the garden with excellent potato crop for your entertainment. There seem to be quite a few of us blogging chaps who enjoy our garden/allotments too.Enjoy your weekend whatever you do...

On the workbench and a 19th century rules question...

A view of the dining room table with the current Impetus project laid out whilst working this morning. A smallish,manageble and fun project...

Prince Lupus, if you read this can you tell more of your amendments for Impetus as you reffered to on Tom's blog recently?

Sunny here in the Duchy and hope to go out for a walk later en famile.

One of the great joys of this mini project is that I have endeavoured only to use figures I have lying around the house. I have taken a few liberties with figures used but am more than happy with the forthcoming troops. It is good to reuse rather than spend at times and very satisfying indeed...

Finally I have rediscovered my 15mm Spanish American war of 1898 collection in the garage- any suggestions for old school type rules to use them with? As ever I am relying on your ideas and suggestions!

Keeping the Impetus up...

Some of you may recall this November post-

http://tradgardland.blogspot.com/2010/11/real-imagination-if-you-know-what-i.html where I mentioned my desire to do an Basic Impetus Baroque army to oppose Tom's Danes ( he of the recently mentioned recently started blog on these pages) with the army of the Duchy of Holstien -Gottrop. Readers wishing a little insight can click on the above link to find a little background to H-G and the personalities of the age...

I started the army this morning and have decided to base it with a winter/snowy theme. The picture is of a Swedish regiment in the Duchy's service . I have started on a command element with tent and fire also today.

While on the subject of tents here is the link to where I got the tent making /template pdf-

http://www.wargamesillustrated.net/hobby.aspx?art_id=2129

Today I had my hair cut ( short once more) for the first time in over 16 or so months and am actually quite pleased with the result. tomorrow will see me continuing the work on Ducal forces.

Not today I fear...

The weather has returned to rain today so no al fresco painting/gardening I fear. I am off into Auld Reekie later today to catch up with a friend and then pop out to see my mother in the suburbs. Hopefully the rest of the family will have a reasonable balance of R&R /chores in my absence.
As ever when in the Royal Mile I have a look in the GW shop. After all the figures are interesting and the styling/painting gives one ideas. I often buy bases and hobby sundries there. They always ask (in a friendly manner) what I am painting- and so they hear of 1938,syw ,imaginations and the alike. Sometimes a brief but interesting dialogue ensues...

Midsummer Manoeuvres...

It is now a month since the Electors of the Disputed Valley met in Wargstadt. No decisions have been reached and all have dispersed back home with a desire to meet together again within one lunar month . The killers of Ulric von Wargstadt remain at large and nothing is known of their identity or whereabouts. Rumours abound of plots and counter plots.

Being Midsummer it is time for the regiments of the Disputed Valley to gather together under canvas for their annual shooting match and manoeuvres. Here we see the Town Regiment of Adlerfort making it's way into camp. The men are recruited mainly from the Falconers and Falconry Craftsmen's Guild based in the town. They are reputed to be amongst some of the best shots in the valley. Over the next few days we shall see if that is true...

Alarms & Excursions...

8.00am
Last week an electrician spent ages replacing our old and installing new mains electric smoke/heat alarms. At 4am this morning they went off and it was a false alarm/malfunction. It took us 45 minutes en famile to get them to stop!!!!!!!!!!

Weather has been lovely here - girls have been to the beach with friends and yesterday we all went for a brief foray to Ikea to pick up two garden chairs. They are to replace the material foldy ones which rotted in the leaky garage. They were assembled with not to much beastliness and are most comfy! Hopefully some more al fresco painting today when I am fully awake!

Finally may I end with best wishes for an excellent 4th of July to all who are celebrating- enjoy!

The dogs of R&R unleashed...

Well the hols have arrived here in Tradgardland- a loud huzzah resounding from all inhabitants! Last nite we had a bbq and listened to Andy Murray being sadly defeated on the radio in the garden. This morning, following in the illustrious footsteps of a fellow blogger, I ventured to paint some figures al fresco. It worked really well and I will continue to do so later today. Other than that I intend to do very little and begin getting those energy levels recharged. I hope the weather smiles upon you today wherever you are...