Trying out Kalashnikov Tribal using Hot Cub de Carpathia armies

 I am indebted to Neil for drawing my attention to these rules on his blog . I ordered them and they arrived yesterday. My plastic 1/72 chaps are ideal and two bases together makes an excellent battalion size wise.

Transilvania has five battalions. They are all apprehensive. Two battalions are militia, one is bicycle mounted militia and two battalions are regulars. 

The Duchy of Volare Cantare has four battalions of regulars and one of thugs - neer  do wells of a political nature volunteering for the campaign duration, having been given the choice of fight or stay in jail.There is also a tankette unit. All are apprehensive.

The Transylvanian force has been ordered to stop the invading Volare Cantare from crossing the river which marks the border.

I hope to play this game over the weekend…

I am very interested to see how the rules work out.

Portharthur in the rain

 

Moving forward

 I am moving forward. Firstly a huge thank you for your supportive comments and emails. They have been filled with concern and practical suggestions and l am truly grateful. This hobby of ours is a great place, full of creativity and kindness which enhances so many lives. Thank you again.

The Black Dog has moved on , leaving me fatigued. That is not surprising as we are in the midst of planning a wedding and other real life stuff. I have continued my volunteering which has been helpful , especially my school involvement. My other volunteering has had a stressful time most notably with the death of friend recently. However inspite of everything l have got my father of the bride suit, provided support and advice  ( if there was ever a time l needed Jan at my side) and been busy. True l haven’t settled to any particular painting task doing bits and bobs  but my interest is returning, fatigue only stopping much progress.

I have really enjoyed modelling the big stuff for the garden railway and my new halt/station. It will have a seaside, costal vibe. Seagulls, creels and fisherman are on the painting table .

A big building is being painted having been bought years ago when the garden railway was first thought of.

I’ve met a friend for breakfast last week and enjoyed my monthly catch up with folk at Church.

Much has been done in the garden. My middle child has been working creatively on this too which has helped her. Between us we have unloaded two bags of pebbles and one of red chips., the huge canvas ones delivered from builder’s merchants. I have worked hard in the garden and am enjoying being in it even though the rain has been a pain .  The new station/ halt underway.

Gardening and enjoying the nature, as they say, has been an absolute joy. I have invested time , love and money this year on it and am pleased to see it renewed and returned to a state Jan would have appreciated. Old rotten garden furniture , full of memories has been got rid of and replaced with new stuff. Loads of plants bought and seeds sown . A joy.

Sport, often there or there about, has been so enjoyable of late. I often paint or garden whilst listening. The cricket, World Cup and F1 have caught my imagination and I have thoroughly enjoyed them, especially Scotland’s successful game and the entertaining game with England and Croatia. The on field and off field Test match drama is so engrossing.

Hobby stuff other than the garden railway has been sporadic but my interest is there. This is an uber busy time, emotionally and practically, l need to pace myself, give and get support and allow myself to continue to move forward . We are getting there!

Step away from the brush

 I have tried hard to take projects forward hobby wise this week. Painted briefly only to find my enthusiasm wither quickly and die upon the vine. Same with setting up games. Last straw was the arrival of eagerly anticipated figures , unboxed and then couldn’t face them after a single colour added. I am not sleeping well, black dog plagued and stressed by real life matters. Enjoying the garden though when rain does stop play. I don’t know wheter to stop hobby activities for a wee break or try to break on through to the other side, as they say. Thoughts?

Carronade Wargames Show 2026

The Carronade show was at a new venue, Falkirk High School. There were teething troubles like catering had fallen through and the bring and buy was on the school stage and was hot and airless pretty early on. On top of that l wasn’t in the mood for the show as the Black Dog was sniffing about.  So l didn’t vibe it, took less photos than I intended, missed out on a 28mm castle and old samurai through procrastination ( probably best as l have too much stuff already) and hummed and hawed over glossy painted S range ( ?) FPW armies. I resisted but only just! I did have a lovely chat with Balkan Dave who was putting on a game based on Banjaluka 1737. I was able to enthuse with him and told him of the Edinburgh Uni Wargames Club putting on the same battle in the mid 80s or so. The Westerhope folk were chatty and friendly as ever with their big glossy game and l talked to the chaps who put on the battle of Linlithgow 1526 game as it is local ish to me and of particular interest. Otherwise avoided folk. Apologies if I should have said hello and didn’t, especially Richard.Bought nought, had lunch at a friends, bussed home and then later on enjoyed the company of the Virtual Wargames Club where my bad puns were an attempt to lift my spirits. As ever the company , modelling and craic were of the usual diverting standard. So to the photos

Terrific Battle of Falkirk in 28mm . Lovely animated Flags of War figures.

Here are  mats set up for a pp game skirmish . Looked the part.

Can’t recall much of this.

Enchanting looking samurai game , loved the Japanese garden and pond.

Linlithgow Bridge 1526 with Wofun and a wee figure diorama.

Using Test of Resolve rules. Too Anglo centric a set ignoring the Burgundian Wars imho.

A jaw dropping spectacular ancients game with a table rammed full of eye candy to the nth degree. Again 28mm. Seemed to be using Tactica?  

Balkan Dave’s leaflet on Banja Luka 1737

The games using a play test version of Simon Miller’s to the Strongest rules. 

I was taken with the gridded game and found out much about the forthcoming rules.

We enthused enjoyably about the battle, background to it and Potemkin uniforms

Visually appealing Bolt Action game. Loved the column of mcs and side cars.

Sharpe Practice and an intriguing signal station. Exciting looking game. 28mm

Westerhope and their glossy , shiny super ancients. 

Back to Falkirk and the Jacobites.

 Finally a photo off face book showing the Duke of Tradgardland ( rose breeks and blue jacket ) taking pictures. A member of hobby royalty browsing behind me. Hope you enjoyed the photos on and all.

Week 2

 

Inspite of horrendous rain , flash flooding and vile weather l have had a useful week outdoors. The Test yesterday accompanied what little hobby stuff l have felt like doing. 

Portharthur is beginning to take shape on the PLR. A new station and costal village.

The signage has been waiting a fair while.

Having a look , a weed and a sorting out of the area.

A mature hydrangea after establishing in her new home.

Moving the heavy planter by hauling along some wood. It was awfully heavy! A task with daughter number two.

I have added soil to the wee rockery to give it a bigger footprint and greater height.

Beer traps were laid successfully last night . Will repeat regularly now..