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...
Friday 26 December 2008
On the painting table...
Wednesday 24 December 2008
Merry Christmas
The Duke and Duchess of Tradgardland and Alisona extend Christmas Greetings to one and all this Season. May you all have a fantastic time wherever you are...
Our thoughts are with our people in Ny Tradgardland, the Shetlands and especially with Von Bergman and the Duc de Padirac in Scotland.
To all Rulers of Imaginations everywhere may you continue to rule well and provide for your households a Season to remember...
Tuesday 23 December 2008
Building Plans...
The Duchy of Tradgardland potteries appear to have made a mistake with the date upon this plate- it of course ,should have read 1758...
It portrays well the Capital -including the signature Tradgarlander church ( found in every community big or small)with external staircase for the militia to use as an observation post.
One of the tasks I set myself this holiday ( once the coldy/fluy symptoms have finally left me and mine) was to build some typical Tradgardland buildings using the Grant/Stokes methodology. I want to have a go at one of these churches very much - since I saw a similar one in Denmark when I last visited there some years ago!
Anyway I shall give it a go - if the results are at all pleasing I will post photos. Any advice for the making of the external stairs/ balcony ( see photo on my Blog page for an example of such a church) would be most appreciated! I hope this finds you all moving forwards well to a well-earned break!
Monday 22 December 2008
Charge...
It has been a busy few days. Jan and I are still under the weather with fluy colds and my eldest is off to the doc today with earache!
We have had a hectic time preparing for a family gathering here yesterday . It all went swimmingly . On Saturday we decked the halls and put up the tree plus shopping. The soiree day itself was hectic but fun. I even organised a quiz which was appreciated by all. Jan produced a lovely meal for all.
As I write Anna is cutting and sticking together for me some lovely chance cards sent to me by Stokes- thanks Stokes!. I hope to get some cardboard houses begun to go with my resin Vauban fortifications in 25mm. The arrival of the Wargame companion @Christmas will further inspire me further. Santa will bring a few Minifigs companies for my imaginations too...
I am interested in seeing Bluebear Jeff is tempted by the Old School look having been inspired by Stokes. I do hope Jeff does go for it. I am starting with some batts but also some company sized units too. Build up slowly is the way I am going. So it will be a Charge inspired Christmas for me - maybe a wee game by the New Year - we shall see. I hope you are all well and preparing for the Season and for some R and R too!!
Thursday 18 December 2008
Pathfinder
It was the first full-length film in Sami, and it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1988. It was written and directed by Nils Gaup. Nils-Aslak Valkeapää played one of the parts as well as writing the music to the film, together with Kjetil Bjerkestrand and Marius Müller.
Wednesday 17 December 2008
Gifts
Anna came home with early presents for the family- a 2d and a 3d Gingerbread house! Both were made of clay ,fired and decorated. I think they are fantastic...
The 3d one can have a candle in it . Whilst passing thru the German market last week I had admired wee houses which one could put a nightlight in. I resisted their charms and am very glad I did so. They were not a patch on Anna's one. I feel they would be excellent scenery for Jim Purky's Teddy Bear armies...
To complete the day my youngest brought home a lovely greenery table centre- pictures of it and the tree to follow.
Monday 15 December 2008
Rose
As he surveys the congregation in church he sees a sea of Rose as he sees Militia officers,men ( resplendent in their uniforms ) and their families gathered here. He feels once more the deep pride he has in his vocation as leader,nay father under God, to the good people of Tradgardland.
After Mass the Ducal Cavalry escort him and his family back to the Palace where they will recieve guests from near and far at a reception for members of the Ducal Society.
Sunday 14 December 2008
Cold/flu
Thursday 11 December 2008
General Mackay
General Mackay has been busy all day drilling his new troops. They have been hand picked from the Tradgardlander Militia and are gathered at the artillery camp. Mackay realises that the coming months will see a threat emerging from the Saschen-Vindow army...
MacKay , a traditionalist by nature and principle, makes sure the men are well acquainted with the arcane drill associated with throwing of grenades. They will become an elite within the Duchy and are to be paid from the Duke's personal gold inherited from his father - a product of plunder upon the field of Mars....
Note to the reader: these figures are currently in the process of painting and I hope to move them forward well this weekend...
Monday 8 December 2008
Charge
At the weekend I was reorganising things for a Charge solo project I am planning. Here is a Tradgardland Militia unit. I wonder if Vonn Bergmann and the duc de Tradgardland and his troops will be home from Scotland soon? I am happy for them to be there if they are needed to fight for bonnie Prince Charlie.
I hope to raise a Tradgardlander Cavalry unit sooner or later...
Wednesday 3 December 2008
One to Watch...
If I can recommend one film to get hold of on dvd these cold , freezing winter nights may I humbly suggest you seek out "Fanny and Alexander" by Ingmar Bergman. I cannot do it justice in a few words save to say that it makes one laugh, cry and everything in between. The scenes of a 19th century Swedish Christmas Eve are magical and unforgettable . Go on give it a try and let me know what you think. It's my favourite film and perhaps it will become yours too...
Monday 1 December 2008
Comet...
As the Duke looked out into night sky he observed the passing of a previously unrecorded comet . He mused upon how the ancients saw them as heralds of joy or deep sorrow...
His reverie was interrupted by a sealed letter being placed upon the nearby table. He opened it and read of the events earlier that day in neighbouring Saschen- Vindow . He sighed audibly realising that all hope of peace had been broken upon the wheel that very day...
Sunday 30 November 2008
Advent
On the hobby front I had hoped to get more painting done than I did .However I have found an interesting command figure which I did a simple conversion on with a change of head attire facilitated by scalpel blade. I enjoyed watching "Time bandits " with my daughters yesterday - a much underrated film I feel. It conjours up atmospheres beautifully and is always inventive and surprising...
I have got my Christmas present ordered from the family - "The Wargame Companion" and look forward to reading it over the holidays . I trust you all had a good weekend too. I bet you were glued to Stokes's fantastic game too - inspiration in abundance
Thursday 27 November 2008
Of Magazines and ideas...
I have read quite a few issues but not yet subscribed- I fear I will have to do so . This is the tonic I needed- thanks Henry and others! The fascinating article on the Freikorps has begun me pondering what might have happened in the Duchy of Tradgardland in 1918 and beyond - not to mention Saschen -Vindow... Too many ideas not enough time and money- I imagine that is something we all have in common... I will leave off and get back to the articles! P.S a happy thanksgiving to all my American blogging associates on EvE and beyond- have a good one!
Wednesday 26 November 2008
A change of hat shape...
Monday 24 November 2008
Williamsburg and Miffy
He wondered who the character modelled in snow by my daughter was. Here is a picture of Miffy . She is a rabbit featuring in charming books by Dick Bruna. He writes fantastic books with simple yet elegant words and pictures. Anna,my middle daughter, has been a fan for many.many years!
Sunday 23 November 2008
Sunday
youngest daughters went out and enjoyed the snow. They eventually transformed their snowman into a snow sculpture of Miffy. She is accompanied by her own snowman. I also managed to get some of the 48 figure battalion painted. I also think I shall raise some 1809 French...
Saturday 22 November 2008
Saturday
I rose earlyish today and did some work on my first 48 figure infantry unit for Saschen-Vindow. It will be made up of RSM figures and should be quite impressive en masse. I browsed thru Wargames Illustrated in WH Smiths. An interesting article on syw rules was illustrated by beautifully painted figures- painted well,well beyond my standard. It initially made my morale sink but I guess its more about fun than expertise. Eye candy can be useful to spur one on at times. I must realise it is not a competition but a hobby!!
I read on the grimsby mariner blog about an author called Greg Heyes ( I think) who writes alternate universe novels about the 18th century. These are totally unknown to me and I wondered if any of you were familiar with them? I would be interested in your thoughts...
I have finally chosen a figure for The Duke of Tradgardland and have been working on him too. I hope you are all having a good weekend- enjoy!
Saturday 15 November 2008
First snowfall...
The first snows of winter have alighted upon Tradgardland. In the villages the people huddle by the fireside at night as the wolves prowl around the outside looking for food and shelter.
The first snows rarely last long, yet they provide a time to sit round of an evening and take stock of everything. A time to prioritise one's daily tasks, to bask in that which has gone well and banish the ghosts of the past.
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Pigeon post 2
Duke Karl Frederick finds a scrap of parchment and begins to write:
My Dear Von Bergmann,it is good to hear of your safety yet vexing that the long expected battle did not occur. Has the Prince gone into exile or is he planning so to do? Has he no longer service for your good self, your men and the Duc ?I await your answer with interest. All is well here in the Duchy and our friend in Saschen-Vindow works with haste.
God be with you ,Karl Frederick
The parchment is fixed to a pigeon's leg and it is sent heavenwards towards Edinburgh...
Monday 10 November 2008
Nocturnal conversations in the Palace of Tradgardland
All is well Duke Karl!
I received a communication yesterday - I hope the fellow has not over exposed himself...
Worry not ,your Grace, all will be well!
Is nothing suspected at all?
Nothing ?
Nothing!
And will our plan succeed ?
Yes.
Yes?
Indeed ,your Grace I am sure he is the man for the job...
Pray God you are right! You may go now.
Good night your Grace.
God be with you too.
Sunday 9 November 2008
Pigeon post...
The messenger pigeon alighted upon the window of Duke Karl Frederick's study. Talking to it in a soothing manner, the Duke unwrapped a folded paper,which he extracted from a small copper tube attached to it's leg. He read the following:
"Things are afoot here in the castle. Duke Peter is planning to go upon autumn manoeuvres with the Ducal army. I will explain more when I can."
Having read the note the Duke threw it upon the fire and stared at the flames ,deep in thought, for along,long time...
Dear reader you are directed to the following blog for further insight:
Monday 3 November 2008
Further Winter plans...
Oh no,I hear you cry, he's off imaginationing ( if that be the word)again! Well I am afraid you are right in what you have thought.
I have taken, as my stimulus, a flag I designed recently for a as yet unknown regiment from a as yet unknown country.In the far off recesses of my mind there is the seed of an idea germinating- a small Duchy upon the periphery of Tradgardland.Of course we are all aware of the Tardis like nature of the borders of Tradgardland - in other words small duchies can be contained without affecting our map or anyone else! I will see where the idea takes me - I will think some more upon the matter and will let you know where my thoughts go. Now let me see this Standard belongs to...
Saturday 1 November 2008
Winter plans ( at the moment at least!!!)
Well we went to the Kirriemuir show and saw some interesting games- a lovely Sudan game with Perry figs, a medieval siege of Orleans, 1796 French v Austrians to name but a few. The 1st 200 folk thru the door got a free figure- a highlander who will paint up a treat as a chief!
I didn't buy anything but some plans crystallised for the forthcoming winter...
My regular opponent,Phil , is going to paint up some 1807 Brits and I will paint up some Danes of the period. We will try and use BAR as a system rather than "In the grand Manner" which was one option.Units will be about 30 to 40 figs strong for the inf. As light relief we are looking at Border Reiver Skirmishing - small forces and we have suitable terrain already - tho I am tempted by a peel tower. Some reivers will be bought and sundry cattle and sheep...
I will also proceed with the forces of Tradgardland and will need to get some figures underway for Funnylittlewars in 54mmm. All in all I am pretty fired up with enthusiasm - more than I have been for ages. Let's hope that work related fatigue doesn't get in the way too much. Have a good weekend one and all!
Sunday 26 October 2008
Good news..
It is good to go to shows,perhaps converse with others and generally see what inspiring things/games are on offer - food for the wargaming soul and mind... So only six days to go!
Ideas...
It has been interesting to imagine what the Duchy would be doing at the start of the 20th Century. I have started writing some ideas/storyline as a file on the Funnylittlewars yahoo group. We shall see where it goes...
Enjoy the rest of the Weekend one and all !
Alan
Thursday 23 October 2008
True colours shining 2
Wednesday 22 October 2008
True Colours shining...
Monday 20 October 2008
In the Country
It is a week now since the mysterious Wurm left Tradgardland. It was last seen flying away over the forest having been encouraged upon its way by a battery of field pieces...
Duke Karl Frederick and his Duchess Liv are residing in the forest for a few days away from the pressing matters of State. Their time is spent in a simple hunting lodge ,far from other dwelling places. They will read ,walk and hear Mass said by the Ducal domestic chaplain.
The season of fruitfulness and mists is upon the Duchy and all bask in the last few days of sunshine before the Dark days and evenings prevail...
Sunday 12 October 2008
Wargaming :home and away...
Saturday 11 October 2008
The Weekend
I have been putting quite an effort into researching the history of the Duchy of Tradgardland of late . I hope to post some translations from the official history of the Duchy which was compiled in the early years of the 20th century. The multi-volumed work brought together myriad sources and produced something of a classic. Watch this space...
Saturday 4 October 2008
A new venture...
Join me for my new foray into the 18th century:
http://karlfrederickcounty.blogspot.com/
I hope you will enjoy it as it unfolds
Thursday 2 October 2008
Time Travel ...
Tuesday 30 September 2008
Little Wars
An army padre is currently writing an update/extension of the rules with a view to publication. He has terrific ideas as well as enthusiasm. I first discovered his work/project in a magazine about toy soldiers I saw in the newsagent up town. The picture of the alfresco game and accompanying article had me hooked. There is a super Yahoo group devoted to the fun called funnylittlewars - do have a look you won’t regret it! You will find the fun at:
Sunday 28 September 2008
Wurm ...
Andersson called out the cavalry at dawn.The Wurm had departed from the bridge and could not be found. The cavalry patrol left the town along the north road , eyes vigilant and trumpets blaring , in the vain belief the Wurm would be put to flight by such music.
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Paper
Tuesday 23 September 2008
Night...
Sunday 21 September 2008
Of brambles and books...
Saturday 20 September 2008
Wurm
The Tradgardland Militia Captain looked through his spyglass and observed the village bridge. He was unable to comprehend what lay in his vista. The local informant had indeed been correct - A WURM!
There had been no sightings for centuries ,yet here and now in 1758 Year of our Lord Captain Anderrson saw that which all dreaded most...
Anderrson invoked the power of the Saints and of Heaven itself as he crossed himself whilst murmuring a prayer. Giving the spyglass to his faithful Sergeant Kronk ,Anderrson turned to address the company of men at his command- men upon the edge of running away and heading for the safety of the local forest...
Monday 15 September 2008
Recent days...
Thursday 4 September 2008
London Bridge
In the highest attic of the houses upon London Bridge a number of Tradgardlanders lived at relative peace with their neighbours. By day their trades were numerous and diverse, by night they gathered to sing the songs of the homeland and discuss the events of the age. Of how the planets and stars influenced all manners of mankind and how they had prophesied sorrow in the Duchy to come ....