Go West etc

 This week has seen me battling a leg infection as well more interesting things happening-

Sunday saw me in Edinburgh and appreciating this beautiful Nativity Scene.

A parcel arrived and it came with this card which was a hit with the family, not to mention a fascinating book.

My new art history course began in the West. A lovely sunny Glasgow. This term I am looking at 17th Century Dutch art.

Fascinating graffiti in the Kelvingrove area.

The Smith gun arrived on Wednesday , earlier than expected.

It is a lovely model but l struggled to put it together lacking the dexterity initially as well as covering my fingers in superglue. What a faff but got there eventually!

The completed model and crew( full of character) undercoated ready for painting…

Home

 Due to recent freezing conditions l have spent quite a bit of time at home and painting figures whilst listening to podcasts. I listen to a variety of, history, hobby , theology and sport mainly. I find it a good way of catching up with things whilst taking the figures forward. The fifteenth century Germans were laid aside and I have been working on the Homeguard figures recently purchased-

They have moved forward very nicely and hopefully will be ready to take to the table in the coming weeks.

I even have some bicycle mounted Homeguard too, which are fun.

I’ve been reading round the subject too which has been fun. I heartily recommend both books. I succumbed on Friday and ordered a Smith gun in 28mm. Found this enjoyable video on the Smith gun-

https://youtu.be/cJj4NxOrcds

Well worth a watch.

Currently my Homeguard chaps have the odd matchbox car ( VBCW  leftovers) but l am wondering if they deserve something else. Thoughts?

My German paratrooper HQ and support weapons are currently on the painting table and proceeding a pace too. I have added the suspicions look Wargames Foundry nun to their ranks as a nod to the fears of the time. Wondering if the Germans could do with a tank or some Brandenbergers. Thoughts?

A bolt from the blue.

 So yesterday we tried Bolt Action second edition. I noticed on the rules I had bought them in 2017. They had lain on the shelf , occasionally looked at ( esp the Seelowe Suplement) since then. We had felt the need to try something else for a VBCW as Went the Day Well is quirky ,popular but not quite hitting the spot for my opponents. I am a fan but can see the issues folk have it. Anyway over Christmas l looked out the order dice RC had given me yonks ago, ordered another set and read the rules. This was supplemented by very helpful videos on You Tube. The battlefield was set up and off we went.

It was just a training exercise so l won’t go on much about the game save to say it went really well. The order dice didn’t clutter the table and the red dice l used to mark pins worked fine.

We had the odd disagreement about interpretation of the rules but all in all it proceeded well. It was fun, which is half the battle in my eyes. It gave a reasonable result.

All in all it was a hit with the three of us. The playsheets l had printed off were most useful. One of our number went home and bought a set of the rules on kindle, he has been won over

All in all a good day’s gaming. We will try them again in a couple of weeks. I know that many don’t rate the rules for many reasons. I know they aren’t serious like “ Chain of Command “ etc but they delivered for us a platoon level experience that we enjoyed. That’s good enough for me , for now.

Out and In

 This brave fellow has stood guard outside through freezing nights as low as minus seven!

Indoors l have just set up the dining room table for a Bolt Action 2nd edition game to try the rules out for aVBCW. Just learning them myself l will hopefully be able to enthuse my visitors today-

Reference sheets are printed, bits and bobs gathered so we will see how it goes…

On Wednesday as my daughter had just come off night shift ( once in a blue moon occurrence) l went off for much of the day in order to let her have a quiet house. I got the bus to Perth. Sadly the museum/art gallery was closed but l enjoyed my trip.

Board game

 Ordered this the other day and it arrived just now. Looks interesting. Does anyone know it?

Saw it on Amazon btw

Tree etc

 I have been particularly taken by our Christmas tree this year. Bought already netted l was taken back initially by its wide nature. However once decorated l was entranced and have enjoyed it particularly in the darkness of early morning . I will miss its soft, pure light-

Yesterday saw us take down the decorations and carefully put them away.

They are full of memories from simple homemade ones made by the girls in their youth to ones from my Grandma’s tree in the 1930s. They tell a story of us that the next generation will take forward.

When l could over the festive season l have taken my 1470 Germans forward. Sitting quietly in the dark with only the hobby light on l have enjoyed seeing them come together. At times I sit in silence at other times l listen to podcasts. On Saturday l sensed the need to put the figures aside for a little breather and do something else briefly, a change being as good as a rest. So yesterday saw me working on Homeguard and Fallscrimjager. The figures are great but have quite a few annoying worm bits to deal with. Anyway l am pleased with the initial results.

In other news , the proprietor of this splendid blog- 

https://brownspreadandyellowfruit.blogspot.com/2025/01/cod-wars-ship-update.html

( Sadly Google precludes me from leaving comments there and at sundry other blogs)

has named his new Hessian commander after me-

I am delighted by this and look forward to giving those enemies of the British Crown what for! Thank you E!

P.s do pop by the blog it is full of toy soldier goodness and thoroughly recommended.

Epiphany

 https://youtu.be/Ujf1-flrTm4

We three kings of Orient are 
Bearing gifts we traverse afar. 
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, 
Following yonder star.

Chorus
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain, 
Gold I bring to crown Him again, 
King forever, ceasing never 
Over us all to reign. Chorus

Frankincense to offer have I. 
Incense owns a Deity nigh. 
Prayer and praising all men raising, 
Worship Him, God on high. Chorus

Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume 
Breaths a life of gathering gloom. 
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying, 
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Chorus

Glorious now behold Him arise, 
King and God and Sacrifice. 
Alleluia, alleluia! 
Sounds through the earth and skies. Chorus