The Duchy of Tradgardland
The adventures of an 18th century imagination, located in Northern Europe formerly ruled over by joint rulers Duke Karl Frederick and Duchess Liv.Not to mention the American colony of Ny Tradgardland the 17th century Colony of New Tradgardstadt and the newly restored territory of the Shetland Isles. Featuring a supporting bill of gaming in a diversity of times,places and scales.Hopefully something to interest all who pop by...
Sunday, 24 May 2026
Finding and shedding
Result of shedding ( the art of digging in the lead mountain to downsize it but finding an interesting project to do instead) yesterday. Late Bronze Age Scandanavian 28mm!!
I wondered where they had gone…
Reading outdoors this morning and having found a beautiful book, a retelling of the Arthurian tales.
Newly published, beautifully written and illustrated.
Well , worth “finding “ for yourself or as a gift for a loved one. Don’t miss out, read.
Saturday, 23 May 2026
Giant tree ferns at Penedredfel and diverse matters
The giant tree ferns at Penedredfel have survived the winter. A railway man checks them out.
Two Pound @ The Works, Trinket box to 1/32 pillbox, work in progress.
One of my regular opponents called off yesterday due to illness at the last minute so plans were changed to a TYW board game. Danes v Imperialist. As Tilly I managed to lose very badly . Bright musket rubbish dice as he might have said. However it was an interesting and enjoyable game and we look forward to the next go with additional rules to try next time.
Cave goblins 90% finished, a wee tweak or two to do. I am pleased with the results.
Friday, 22 May 2026
Locally and trying a new hobby technique for the first time.
It was super to see the City getting behind the Team when I was out and about yesterday-
Merch vendors on the high street.Shops have decorated their windows.
A display in the shopping centre of items associated with the team past and present.
I found what I was looking for and extracted the ones l was after- cave goblin types, unarmoured and primitively attired and arrayed. I decided to try the brush bristles technique to make their primitive javelins. I was surprised how well it worked and how easy it was to make a flat point with pliers.
Here they are on the painting desk awaiting more work. The desk is currently messy even by my own standards!
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Welsh Nationalists for a Very British Civil War
Finally got round to photographing my Welsh Nationalists prior to their first game, a solo one in the coming days. Many moons ago Al Front directed me to some reading about the interwar Welsh Nationalists. It has , along with the official source books , provided me with some ideas. So what moves my wee lead chaps? Simply put they are Europe focused rather than uk focused, desiring to be part of a greater whole. They look to France for support . Support in terms of weapons, equipment and expertise..Some have become Roman Catholic as part of this . Some wish Wales to be a nation in a wider Catholic Europe. Others of a non conformist background are suspicious of such a view. There are tensions but the VBCW has given them a chance to move…
In the rules the units have a Quality and a Morale rating.
Enough chat now for the lead-
Headquarters, with a Mari Lwyd replacing a standard, local poet as commander, with French , on leave , senior nco for advice. Veteran and Determined.French Volunteers, former soldiers and politically motivated. Uniformed in blue in Chasseurs de pied uniforms. They are Regular and Determined.
The local village and townsfolk. A little suspicious of the French, the RC’s and poets. In their everyday clothes and with what weapons they were given and could hide.They are Green and Low.
The Teulu , highly motivated volunteers who have taken to the mountains and form flying columns. Equipped with French equipment and weapons. They are Veteran and Determined.
The miners. They are mixed in their enthusiasm for this struggle, equipped with rifles. They are Green and Steady.
Finally the rules below by Eric Turner , via Society of Daisy , will be used.
I will report on the scenario in my next post…
Wednesday, 20 May 2026
On the workbench : Laketown
These are coming along very nicely. Warbases mdf structures and coffee stirrers put together by me.
Painting is the next job followed by some thought on buildings , boats and backdrop.Sunday, 17 May 2026
Alfresco
After an agreement with the Margrave of Trompenburg these 54mm or 1/32 scale regiments have come into my service.
Regiment Stoorkopf after their long march north. A few repairs to uniforms and bayonets is required. This will be accomplished with paint and varnishHere they are parading in the shadow of the Alpine Planters. Service will be both alfresco and internal.
The regiment below , Peinwik, are in need of some repairs to their standard which broke on the march. This should be accomplished without much difficulty at all.
Further information about the history of these troops can be found at the blog of their creator-
http://marsinarcadia.blogspot.com/
The men arrived in splendid uniforms which are a credit to Springinsfeld, who raised them originally.
Alas the wheels went round once and stopped for good, so far.
The back light was working and the front lights too. The wiring is fragile involving soldering and l am loath to muck around with it too much.
Hopefully normal service on the PLR will be stored very soon.
Friday, 15 May 2026
May is bustin out all over
The Penedredfel Light Railway has decided it is necessary to curb the foliage threatening to take over the line and stations. Over the coming weeks a great deal of work is needed -












































