Off the painting table - the boys from the fort

 Managed a little diverting painting-

28mm figures from Empress Miniatures, great fun to paint.

“ Someone get a message through to Captain Snort
That they'd better start assembling the boys from the fort
And keep Mrs Honeyman right out of sight
'Cause there's gonna be a riot down in Trumpton tonight”

From “Trumpton Riots” by Half Man Half Biscuit

Training season, with apologies to Dua Lipa

 Training season is certainly not over , in fact it is moving forward very nicely indeed , much of it due to BC himself.

The state of play yesterday evening, first coat of paint on the wagons .

Another wee project moving forward, more of that anon.

BC , centre from the pages of Battle Practical Wargamer, photo from yesterday’s VWC meeting. Those were the days…

An enjoyable refreshment take in midst of painting yesterday, highly recommended btw.

BC ages ago very generously passed onto me his splendid scratch built sm32 wagons. Here is a water tank being glued.

Some of the wagons having been painted and about to be glued, lovely modelling BC in balsa.

A close up of the scratch built wagons etc prior to gluing and painting, they have waited long to be worked on and are almost ready to be rolled out to form a splendid mixed train.

The Penedredfel Light Railway housed in a big plastic box, all rolling stock in one place as the weekend began. BC has been so generous with his advice, friendship , enthusiasm ,his practical skills in getting the locos running again and in giving me my first wagons. Knowledge and encouragement too. So thank you Brian for all you have done to help my garden railway dream become a reality. First train is much nearer  now, thanks to you! 

That was the week that was

 With days to the wedding life has been a Whats App blizzard with highs and lows as arrangements move forward, utterly exhausting but utterly exciting too. In the words of Steve Hillage , all too much. My wedding was arranged over the phone, by letter and in person, before email et al , yet we managed.All is coming together. Managed Scrabble in the garden under the shade of an Acer earlier in the week. Sadly the weather has broken overnight, rain has come so it may be less of an alfresco day than hoped for. 

A fascinating read about an often overlooked artist 

Dad and daughter trip to the NMS , one of the bride to be’s favourite places.

On the roof of the NMS fabulous views and planting.

Next some self indulgent pictures of the garden-

Below is some new public art being made in Dunfermline 

Finally l managed to get a game in yesterday where l commanded the Celts against Polybian Romans. 

Good fun and a marginal Celtic victory.

Finally some garden railway updates but they will need their own post. Enjoyed Spain v Belgium last night and look forward to Norway v England tonight. Have a good weekend one and all.

Leaves on the line

 The recent rain and heat has caused a problem for the workers on the Penedredfel Light Railway-

The plants growing trackside have grown to unexpected heights and vigorously in the extreme.

They will require major cutting back prior to the restoration of services on the PLR in the coming days. Weather and time permitting it is hoped to get the trains running very soon.

Defend the village crossroads , part the second.

 

Turn two- the French infantry column advances down the road taking many casualties from artillery and infantry fire.

Turn two.The other French infantry advance in line having got through the river taking casualties from the rifles in the woods. French cavalry advance on the road ready to mop up casualties caused by the advancing column ahead.

Turn one- British infantry advance to support the rifles in the wood . Towns folk advance out of the town square to support the artillery 

Turn one- A French column crosses the bridge and advances towards the crossroads. French infantry struggle across the river in line.

Defend the village crossroads!

 Set up a wee game-

General Turner encourages the local volunteers from the village.

The crossroads defended with support from riflemen and a highland regiment.

Invading French ready to take and hold the village crossroads for the Emperor!

More anon soon…

Counterfactuals etc

 I found this post interesting -

https://onceiwasacleverboy.blogspot.com/2026/07/trouble-in-colonies.html

It contains, amongst other things, what ifs related to had the 13 Colonies not broken away. I find such discussions fascinating, which will not surprise regular readers here. Follow the link and also share any other American related what ifs you have encountered. A belated Congratulations to all our American readers.