100 not out

Tomorrow ,12th December, would have been the hundredth birthday of Patrick O'Brian.

Still bringing pleasure and joy to readers everywhere...

There I have you,' cried Jack. 'You are bit - you are completely dished. Don't you know that in the Navy you must always choose the lesser of two weevils? Oh ha, ha, ha, ha!” 
― Patrick O'Brian

Mythical Earth

Missed out on a pile of old school monsters on e $£y tonight.I had fancied the Mythical Earth dragons in particular but nearly thirty pound was a tad expense for my warchest. This is the chap-

If anyone has a spare one they want rid of for a fair price let me know...
Thanks
p.s on a more positive note I got two giants,two beorn bearmen and two large ents (all from the M.E range) for a reasonable price.

A map begun...

The weekend at last and what a busy one.Anyway it's Friday night and two days work free awaits. I have been musing on a map and name for my Hyboria inspired campaign. Using free resources on the web I have begun with this-

I have yet to add borders of kingdoms/countries to the map. I have named it Guyleria after Deryck Guyler. Here is a picture of him (he's the one in the middle) with other famous wargamers-

I loved the picture of his painted Ancient Flats that I saw in the T V Times as a boy. I also recall with affection his TV characters from "Please Sir" and other sitcoms from the 1960/70s. So Guyleria it is...

Weekend

Weekend at last!
Uptown today I finally spent my Waterstone's tokens on a book I have observed for a while-

I have had little time to read it (visitors for a meal tonight) but on first skim it looks fascinating.

I have a number of books on the period- an excellent biography of James  iv and a book on Flodden amongst others.

I also have this-

which contains an illustration of a pretty useless weapon - the rattle.

No wonder they were often left in camp...

The renaissance in Scotland reminds us of what might have been here had the reformation not taken hold.

I have some 25 mm English,Scots and isles men of the period .The English and islesmen are ready to go and I intend to paint up & base the Scots when time /energy allow.I will use Ross's Gathering of Hosts for gaming on a squared cloth.

Tonight ,as darkness fell, Advent  began-

The time of preparation for Christmas begins...

Apps chaps?

We bought an i Pad Air yesterday. For a while, some time ago, I had use of an i Pad through work but we are delighted to have our own now. I wonder if you would like to recommend  Apps for us- free or otherwise...
Thanks
Alan

A Tony Bath question

Friday night at last- thank goodness!
A question- what real life ancient armies did  Tony Bath use to represent his different Hyborian nations?
Thanks
Alan

Happy St Margaret's Day!

Today (Sunday) is St Margaret of Scotland's Day. She was a formidable and devout woman who did much to influence the country and people. Queen,mother,champion of the poor,refugee,exile and much more she was a great figure in 11th century Europe. She lived for years in the city where I live (with her husband the king) and first came ashore as a political exile where I work.Where I work is named after her and my daughter's schools were named thus too. A fascinating figure well worth reading about at the very least...