A different kind of show

Yesterday l attended my first Toy Soldier Show. It was held in a school in Chalk Farm ,London. I had a great time and really enjoyed catching up with Anthony,Brian and Mike. The show was an incredible collection of figures of all shapes and sizes except 28mm. Very expensive painted figures rubbed shoulders with plastic figures, the big company sellers with the small unnamed stall. I loved it. I was amazed by the variety on display including some boxed figures l had not seen since my childhood,there as if time had stood still since 1965. There was the enjoy of having a great rummage and seeing what  came up , fantastic fun. An important difference between this and the wargames shows l have attended is the need for cash. Few vendors take cards. Now what you are waiting for,my  purchases-

Not a good photo l know but they are Starlux French mountain troops in winter warfare kit.l just couldn’t resist.

London bound

Off to London today. I hope to be at the London Toy Soldier Show tomorrow. Is anyone going?

Muskets and Tomahawks

Well yesterday we played our seventh or so game of M & T which we have played fortnightly for the last twelve weeks or so. I found it took some time for me to get into them but they have grown on me.

Initially l found them unclear and confusing but the three of us have persevered and have got to a stage of faster play resulting in an exciting game. The upper hand flows between the sides and back again. Great fun .

Wonderful Woking Wargames Weekend

l had a splendid time at the 54mm wargaming event,go here for pictures if you haven’t already seen them.
http://littlewarsrevisited.boards.net/thread/172/lwr-forum-2019-games-day?page=3

http://mikelewis.info/littlewars/?p=664

Cheers

Alan

Mythical Earth and the IPL

Not really feeling like doing anything particularly big hobby wise today. Rain and wind assault the Duchy. So the plan is to move the Mythical Earth ongoing project forward by basing.

The bad guys wait patiently in their box file watched by a Nazgul. In the picture below the men of Gondor await their grass and foliage. Sadly l dropped Shelob who needs all her legs secured by superglue. I never get fed up with my ME chaps, nostalgia drenched they lift my spirits with their symplicty and charm. What better than the cricket on radio five live to accompany such work...

Google + going what do l do?

l have read the warnings but still remain technologically challenged. I have my blogger account and my google one. As far as I know l only use the google one to comment on other people’s blogs and forums such as the Peter Laing one and Little was revisited . I am worried what I might lose and how l should proceed. Any advice gratefully received!

A late 17th century gridded Wargame - how it looks 1

l would like to try and fight some gridded games for the later part of the 17th century using my 54mm  figures and Steven Page’s ECW gridded rules. My first thought is the look of the game . Here are two units ,one with pike one without-

 I would be interested in your options about how it looks.

The Royal Society of London

Deep in the countryside of Albion members of the Royal Society of London have gathered for a rather special sight-

They have come to see the last pair of Dodos in Albion. Such a rarity demands attention.
The  ancestors of these birds were brought by explorers and  kept in secrecy in this estate. Often visited by natural philosophers and the alike they have become something of a legend in these parts. Others have sought them for gain to sell to the highest bidders, the Dutch ambassador has shown an exquisite interest and wished to present them to the Stadtholder for display in his gardens. The Society and her members guard the exact whereabouts of the dodos as one of their most precious secrets.

The skirmish at Elijah Woods

In Albion

An overawed and shy farmer is brought before the King to say what he has seen near his farm..

He tells the King that he has seen treasonous Albion men and soldiers from over the water near the woods. The King thanks the man who is given payment for his troubles. Meanwhile the Guards set out for the woods...

King James by Britains other figures by Alexander’s Toy Soldiers.

59 not out...

I had an enjoyable birthday yesterday. I was in Edinburgh for my weekly art history course, l then had lunch with two of my daughters at the Portrait Gallery before looking round the BP portrait completion exhibition. Home for presents

Hardly visible is a  game Letter Tycoon which has some beautiful graphics and look forward to trying it. The girls made a birthday meal afterwards. A good day .
Today Jan would have been 57  and she is much in our thoughts. When we first met it was a fun thing that we had  birthdays a day apart.  A  recently widowed friend told me this week of the idea of  “sappy “ occasions which are both happy and exhausting. I was rather taken with the idea and thought it was a great way of thinking about the time leading up to anniversaries or memorable events.  We will get through this sappy day today.

Blog of the Month 1- Projects and Procrastinations

I'm starting a new feature here where I highlight a blog I have been enjoying to give it a little more publicity. Not that I think loads of folk drop by here but rather ,as I have been glad of recommendations in the past, so I would like to recommend one that enhanced the hobby for me.-

https://pampersandp.blogspot.com/

Maudlin Jack Tar has  an interesting take on wargaming and loads of fun and inventive ideas. Do pop by you won't regret it!

At Firely Church

Returning from the camp on Hounslow Heath  , King James ll of Albion stops at Firely church to rest and pray. He still wears the armour he wore when he rode at the head of his army. Londoners had come to the heath to view the spectacle and had cheered elevating the day for all concerned.

The camp had lasted eight weeks and the King knew that troubled times lay ahead. The London Gazette reported deserters and an award of 40s for anyone who gives notice of them to my Lord Grandisons in Petty- France was offered. Hopefully things would change soon...

Downsizing 2 TAG dwarves

Here is the current giveaway- 28mm dwarves. Same condition as before they are yours for the asking. All you need to do is once the figures arrive make a donation to a charity of your choice. I will happily post them to you. Leave a comment here showing your interest first come first served.