Happy New Year

A Happy New Year to you and yours from all in the Duchy of Tradgardland.Thanks for your comments,suggestions,interest and more in 2013.

In Neptune's Grove...

Morning on the Estate surrounding the Ducal Palace in Tradgardland. A shepherdess escorts her flock across the grove to pastures.An idyll in Arcadia...
Later on the sound of sword play echos around the once quiet grove-

These determined gentlemen hone their skill under the watchful eye of Father Duggan,former military adventurer now Jesuit priest. Tiring of their sport the men retire to discourse over wine.

Ladybird.ladybird...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03mp53s/Timeshift_Series_13_The_Ladybird_Books_Story_How_Britain_Got_the_Reading_Bug/
A link to a splendid BBC 4 programme on Ladybird books.If you are of a certain age you will remember them. I owe much of my love of history to these books and the splendid style they were written in. Watch the programme,recall the pictures ,be informed of the background and just enjoy!

Morning workbench

I got up and started on the new lead.I am also trying out new basing with some bases I have had around for ages.

The Garrison mammoth fits together well but I had an awful fiddle to get the tusks to stick and hold.Perhaps the superglue wasn't the best thing to use? I now have a new layer of artificial super glue skin on many of my fingers.Nevertheless I am pleased so far with him and look forward to seeing the painted result.I am thinking about adding a few primitive rockets/artillery to the army so it can double up for  18th century useage...

On the Feast of Stephen...

Today is the Feast of St Stephen and Boxing Day.One of my favourite carols is about the good king who went out on this day.

This is the cover of a book I have of the carol illustrated in glorious woodcuts.It is filled with evocative colour and beautiful pictures.

We had a splendid Christmas here in the Duchy.Jan was good form and able to enjoy the day.Church,fantastic food,festivities,presents in the the company of the family.The evening ended with us all enjoying a dvd together- "Enigma" which entertained  very well.

Amongst my other gifts I got this-

It is a well written primer filled with enthusiasm for the hobby.Inspiring for newcomers and old hands alike.I look forward to reading this.Lead too featured in the presents- delightfully "old school" Garrison figures with elephants/mammoths,archers and bowmen.They will form a small army from Vandhya to join in my ancient gaming using "Gathering of Hosts" rules.

Have a splendid St Stephen's Day one and all!

Christmas in the Duchy of Tradgardland

It is the night before Christmas in Tradgardstadt, the capital of the Duchy of Tradgardland.Snow has fallen snow on snow,snow on snow.The soldiers parade through the streets ( watched by the good people of the town from within their shuttered houses) carrying a Christmas tree to be given to the Duke himself to decorate the Palace.

 They are preceeded by the musicians of the Ducal Court who play a medley of Carols including one which has become a favourite world wide-

"God Rest ye merry Tradgardstadt folk

let nothing you dismay.

For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day...

Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy.Oh tidings of comfort and joy..."

A Merry Christmas to all from all in the Duchy of Tradgardland!

In Ny Tradgardland and some kit building...

We left our heroes in danger -
http://tradgardland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/in-guild-masters-study-or-matters.html
They proceeded to steal the arcane painting belonging to the Guild Master.They then sold it to an antiquarian in Tradgardstadt prior to making their way down to the port with some gold coins in their pockets.

Our gallant heroes have escaped on a ship bound for the New World in the shape of the Duchy of Tradgardland's colony Ny Tradgardland.It is just down the road from the Fortress of Louisbourg.They are making their way around the Colony when they meet upon some grim visaged men.

  

They are met by a patrol of Tradgardland regular troops and local militia in their distinctive rose coloured caps.Compliments are exchanged and they are informed by the officer that an enemy patrol has been sighted in the area.

They hasten into the log cabin nearby accompanied by the patrol.

The door is bolted and barred. They await the enemy.They will not have long to wait as whoops and whistles fill the air!

To be continued....

This scenario was suggested by my modelling task this morning - a splendid 4Ground building I had never got round to making since  I bought it in January. Whilst making it I decided to base some skirmish games around it, the first of which I hope to game over the next day or so.

As for the kit it was a joy to build with a great instruction sheet and parts that pressed out easily and fitted together so well.