Between the mess and the …

 There isn’t a huge lot of hobby progress to report. I started a small number of painting projects but they fell by the wayside. I have caught up with friends which was excellent and began to sort things-

I have been overwhelmed by piles of stuff that seem to build up like weeds choking my enthusiasm for the hobby and anything. So l bought some storage boxes and decided what was to be binned, what was to be stored away, what was to be kept at hand and what was to be worked on. Tidying under my painting desk has allowed me to store the figures there l want to work on in the coming months. They are at hand, to mind and are a manageable amount. Other things are put aside physically and mentally for another day. This has helped also to streamline my bedroom a bit which has made it a place on the way to becoming a positive relaxing environment. On other matters-

Excellent coffee etc at Soderberg in Edinburgh, highly recommended.

For football minded folk a fascinating banner at the back of the church in Edinburgh as part of their 250 year celebrations.

Can’t resist a wee house plant , especially those with fine , interesting leaves.

Just bought one of my favourite books as an audiobook. Well , well worth a listen to, or even a read.

Oh l nearly forgot to mention my plans re working on figures. Taking my 1790 Tradgardland project forward with a few units, vignettes etc ready for painting. Finishing off what needs to be done for my MLS collection from last year and looking at some skirmish solo gaming using a variety of rules. Some work on 54mm or 40mm figures.That’s the plan, if I stick to it great , if l don’t no worries, it is a hobby and meant to be fun.

Return of the Syldavian Chronicles!

 Great to see this blog active once more-

http://syldavianchronicle.blogspot.com/2024/10/ten-years-since-post-and-syldavian.html#more

Apologies for not leaving a comment to welcome you back but Google isn’t allowing it!

Welcome back anyway and I look forward to reading more…

Succumbed

 I am a fan of Vendel Miniatures, now known as Bloody Day, which are available only , these days, from across the Pond. I have a number of their fantasy Middle Earth figures which are hefty and charming. Many moons ago l got some sent across to me but I am wary about the price this would involve now. I am not paying an obscene amount to the Post Office etc , end of story.

Anyway last week l was browsing on EBay and I found there were some Vendel 16th century figures, unpainted, for sale. I was tempted as I have been thinking on and off for ages about getting a wee ( dining room sized army , not too small, not too big, just right) Scottish army to oppose the English 28mm army l was using on Friday. So I sent in an offer and won. These then arrived-

Infantry and cavalry bagged, arrived and enthusiastically opened.

Some painted over the weekend ready for basing.

A couple of good reads from the Ducal Library, well worth a look if you haven’t seen them.

My 16th Century forces each have a different character. The Old Irish with lots of skirmishers, fierce warriors backed up by kern snipers and mail clad, axe armed Gallowglass. The English with bow, shot and  bill . Finally now the Scots with loads of pikes, some artillery in field fortifications, a few highland warriors and some  light cavalry from the Scottish Borders. The Scots will be Pinkie rather than Flodden , 1540s rather than 15teens. 

Weekend

 Friday saw the Old Irish out for another game-

Sadly one of the players had to go home as they were feeling unwell. Game abandoned.

Saturday saw me in Edinburgh to go on a tour of the Phoebe Traquair murals in song school at St Mary’s Cathedral. I have long wanted to see these and they certainly lived up to expectations-

An old friend…

 Been weeding out the Ducal Library this week. Came across this old favourite from 1979. It will definitely be staying on the Ducal shelves. I return to this again and again.

John Blanche, Ian Miller etc . A beautiful book well worth tracking down if you don’t have it it already.

Glasgow

 In Glasgow yesterday for my class, as ever a pleasant walk from bus station to university. 

Cinema in Sauchiehall street being demolished rather than refurbished. I particularly recall going to see “ Purple Rain  “ circa 1983 in here when it came out. I remember thinking that “Party like it’s 1999” seemed to refer to a date unbelievably far in the future.

Looking up at these splendid classically inspired statues l was reminded of what an interesting place Glasgow is in terms of architecture.

The military museum , also on Sauchiehall Street which I keep meaning to visit but never get round to…

Autumn begins once again…

Moving

 Whilst I was off volunteering this morning a neighbour, who is moving soon, dropped off some box files of figures surplus to his needs for me. He is a fellow wargamer. This was all unexpected so l opened the boxes with mounting expectations. Here they are, comments please re gaming system they are based for etc. I am out of my comfort zone-

First box WW2 ships ? Scale ? Rules? Plus lots of dice…

Box number two- 28mm American infantry and tanks etc.

There were also 1/200 scale ? Shermans and infantry.

Box three 1/300 scale vehicles and infantry etc based on square bases.

The bases close up and beside a cm ruler for scale. Rules?

Finally 15mm French Napoleonic troops.

Not sure what to do with this all, might keep or not , hmmmmm.