Changes

 The have been lots of changes here in the Duchy, daughter number one has just got engaged, wedding plans afoot for number three and number two has taken my ragged, overgrown garden and has begun return it to the state it was in when Jan’s creativity worked in it. 

In other news this journal arrived the other day in the Duchy and was a terrific read . I particularly enjoyed the rules and scenarios written by Eric Turner. I am inspired by them to get out my VBCW Welsh Nationalists and have a wee skirmish. .

Been reading round my 15mm newly arrived figures and have actually sent for some 15mm figures to paint. They are a homage to my 25mm Salmon Pink Soldiers of my youth. More anon…

Over the years the hedge we got planted on arrival here , over 25 years ago has gone far too tall and a bit wild. I finally bit the bullet got a quote and went for it to be lowered considerably and sorted . The tree men were incredibly professional and excellent workers at a most reasonable price. Below we see before and after. They are https://www.lowlandtrees.co.uk/ and I would recommend them to anyone.

Excuse the above photo which was taken whilst l was at the compost bin and doesn’t reflect my usual dress. It was staged to send to my other daughters to show then the work completed.

I have also decided, having sorted the shed to downside my collection. I will proceed in this by posting photos in the coming weeks of what I getting rid of. They could be yours for the price of postage and a donation you think fit to a charity of your choice. Watch this space, Changes indeed, but for the better l think.

Ancients and medievals

 I haven’t really dealt with 15mm ancients for years but have been thinking about them mainly for solo games at the moment. N.Ps recent buying and renovation of  15mm figures has been most enjoyable ( https://aufklarungsabteilung.blogspot.com/search/label/15mm%20DBA%20Ancients ) and l like the way he goes down to a metaphorical Cat and Dog home , eBay, and provides a new home for the unloved ancient warrior. Not only that but be decks them out in new finery with inspiring paint jobs. Anyway l have been lazy and dived in and bought a lot already painted and based. They arrived the other day but were only unpacked yesterday afternoon after watching Dunfermline win against Falkirk on tv.

All were packed very, very carefully and survived their march across the deserts and mountains of Courier Land intact. Unfortunately l dropped one base which broke at the ankles being resin. No idea of manufacturer at all. I will attempt repairing them today.

Noticed casualties in the above picture above the ranks of archers.

If anyone recognises manufacturer l would be interested in what l bought. I do like the measuring stick and the movement trays thoughtfully added in.

They are a Successor army , charmingly painted and based. Lots of pikemen and lots of light troops etc. Looking forward to giving them an outing on my table top soon. Will probably try them eventually with ADLG not to mention DBA or DBM and Neil Thomas. Hope to pluck up courage and buy a few figures to add to this collection and paint myself over time…

Friday saw me at my Regular Opponent’s to command Swiss against WOTR . Here l am attempting to gain control of a wood but with little success.

Swiss light cavalry and skirmishers battling against heavier armed and armoured WOTR opposition, l feared a gap in my flanks was going to open up.

Duke Rene , an ally of the Swiss moves cautiously up the left flank with his knights. My troops approached the wood. This is chronologically earlier than the previous photo.

The Swiss arrayed at the start of the game. I have a fondness for Burgundian Wars Swiss and enjoy commanding them when I can. We will finished this game over the coming week.

In other news l have been researching for an 18th century project through books and illustrations, making notes and drawings in an amateurish but enjoyable manner . More of this in weeks to come…

Visitors etc

 Photos in Blogger’s order not mine , apologies.

Fascinating plant l had never noticed before at the Botanics.

This week’s reading. The first is full of fascinating illustrations as well as new insights into garden use by the Georgians. The accounts of 😮”naval battles”  and ships with cannon on the estate lakes made the purchase worth it alone. Secondly good solid hedgehog info written in an accessible style.

Wee dérive into Edinburgh and a wander in the Botanics gardens, a pleasure as ever.

Close up of the plant in the previous picture with signage.

Really must get some for the garden, a beautiful plant.

The rock garden. I never get bored of this garden within a garden.

A friend l volunteer with mentioned she hosted a hedgehog in her garden that was being released back into the wild . Sounds interesting we thought and so l was put in touch with the hedgehog lady. Two hedgehogs were brought to my garden on Monday . The above photo shows them having been put in their house.

The visitors upon arrival in the Duchy.

Food and water is offered daily and taken . We have not seen our visitors since they arrive but are delighted to welcome them. 

A question for the railway buffs

 Bid on eBay, was beaten for the railbus but won these. I don’t quite understand what l  bought . Why do these wagons have an engine? I am a novice. 

Yesterday

 Yesterday we all met up at South Queensferry, the weather was sunny and better than expected.

A most welcome gift from daughter number one from her recent holiday . It was bought in Betty’s in Northallerton. Perhaps a raid on the cake shop was the reason for the battle that took place there in 1138?

Finishing off a few figures for a skirmish game.

The rules arrived yesterday and I have had a little time for a look. First impressions are they are accessibility written, well presented and look interesting. I will dive in later this week properly.

Yesterday saw daughter number one and her now fiancé tell us that they got engaged in The Lakes whilst on holiday. I am delighted with the news. Congratulations.

After the news was broken we celebrated with coffee and cakes/parties from the redoubtable Dune in South Queensferry.

Daughters one and two plus new fiancé went in then for a brief swim. 

Photos of the Dune bakery cakes and their enigmatic logo on the paper bag. In the background is the fiancé of daughter number three who gets married later this year. A busy and exciting year.

Finally some attempts to personalise some figures using parts from a free sprue in the form of small sacks and wee pouches.

Night time raid or using the scenario part.

 Having played a few games to get used to the “Red Hand, Hot Trod rules” yesterday we tried the scenario generator part. To cut a long story short this took our gaming to a new level, providing a narrative and incident filled game, not to mention it being great fun. I was the defender and had to deploy one sentry and the rest of my forces were asleep in the houses. The attacker was coming for my livestock. First four turns were in darkness so limited visibility.

The attackers enter the village under cover of the night.

 

The begin to steal the livestock whilst l remain asleep. My lone sentry at top of picture has seen nor heard nought.

The alarm has been raised and I deployed my figures as they ran out of the buildings. They had been allocated off table beforehand where they were sleeping. The yellow dice are there to number the buildings.

A last stand by a defender, his comrades fallen  . Orange dice shows the unit has activated this turn and I forget the use of the green ones. Plans have been made to make counters for next time.

The defenders are panicked ( red dice) and unloaded  ( black dice) and the Warden of the Marches has just rallied some men off camera.

Endgame, the cattle are driven off by the attackers.

The majority of the defenders and a few attackers have become casualties. All in all terrific, tactical fun, minimal book keeping and any situations not covered directly by the rules resolved by gentlemanly discussion . Win win in my opinion even though l lost. A most enjoyable game. We will certainly try this approach again.

Renewed enthusiasm

 

A busy day at the station, passengers and workers alike discuss the recent better weather .

Neglected alpine planters before they were given a make over this week.

New alpines and half price plants about to be given a new home.

The fruits mainly of my daughter’s labour bringing the garden back from neglect 

Apple blossom coming out .

First use of the new bench that replaces the rotten one that stood here for well over twenty years.

In hobby news l am finding it very hard to settle to any project, flitting endlessly A peak of activity and enthusiasm wains to be replaced. Today a friend comes over to try the scenario rules properly for our border reiver games. I have invested in ADLG for ancients as I hear good things of it. DBM has served well but l become less and less willing to read the dense prose necessary to get to grips with them. Hopefully l can learn the rules myself and get my regular opponents on board…