Reading

 I’ve never been a fan of new year , even as a youth. Always glad to see it past and one can get on with things. Can’t think when l last stayed up for the Bells! Anyway l have armed myself with some reading material to see me through to the other side-

I picked up the planner today. I have too many gardening books already but buying this was an attempt to kick start my gardening in the coming year. I need to plan more and do more. Goodness knows what Jan would think. It has got a tad away from me. Next year hopefully it will change…

A Wargames magazine as we divertissement. Some interesting articles especially about the forthcoming medieval skirmish game Ruckus .

The Age of Arthur was a treat and not a cheap one at that. Excellent background on the period plus army lists. I am looking at the skirmish end of things, knowing that the lead pile contains 28mm Picts, somewhere! 

The second is the English language edition of “ Voie Libre “ a beautifully produced French model railway magazine. Even the paper says quality. A joy to hold as well as to read.

Friday and Saturday

Friday saw three of us working out the melee rules from the new Osprey ACW rules. Useful session. A training event rather than a game which I hope will prove useful in the next big game.

Snow today , Saturday,in the Duchy. Coffee at Prost this morning. Snow continued for a bit , lay for sometime but has gone , to be replaced by heavy rain.

A steadfast tin soldier ( in the form of a 25mm Minifigs Napoleonic French cavalryman) stands guard in all weathers on one of the alpine planters. 
 Later on in the day there was another thoroughly enjoyable meeting of the Virtual Wargames Club. Excellent company, inspiration, puns and more. Thanks to that steadfast company for their comradeship in the year coming to an end and before.

This evening found me watching the film “ Saltburn” and I can’t make up my mind whether I enjoyed it or not. Hmm not sure.

New and old

 Eric has just started a blog -

https://brownspreadandyellowfruit.blogspot.com/

Do pop by and support his new venture. 

Secondly l took this photo on Christmas Day-

Retro wooden robots at their finest on the floor of my sister in law’s kitchen. Their owner was having a splendid time taking them apart and rebuilding them. Painting inspiration for retro sci fi gamers everywhere!

A starter started

 Just had time/energy to start the first figure having collected the eBay parcel from Argos this morning.

Gifts

 Gift received in the Duchy of Tradgardland-

The above were from my daughters. The subscription to Senet magazine ( see here for more info - 

https://senetmagazine.com/)     was a complete surprise and I look forward to reading it in the coming year. The Chelsea Ticket was something we had talked about some time back. I agreed to buy daughter #2 a ticket as her main Christmas present and she agreed to reciprocate. It is a long standing ambition of ours to go to the Chelsea Flower Show, as it was for Jan too. Sadly she never got to go. As a family we poured over the tv coverage annually. Anyway Anna and I are off to Chelsea in 2024 and can’t wait. It will be amazing to finally attend.

The above is a book l asked for from my daughters. On first glance it looks fascinating, can’t wait to have time to do it justice.

The greater family does a Secret Santa every year. You give some options and Santa chooses which to give you. I was delighted with Santa’s choice. A fascinating book on late 15th century art and a chance to discover my roots. 

Hope you all had a great time and good gifts. Enjoy Boxing Day’s Boxing Day!

On the feast of Stephen

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MTwTdzUY2Pk

Music for the day ( follow the link ) and illustrations too. 

Had an excellent Christmas Day with great food and folk  but circumstances prevailed against opening more than one present  ( time ) and the taxi home ( pre booked) never turned up. My sister in law who had hosted stepped into the breach and drove us home. A big thanks go to her !

On Christmas Eve , after Church and Prost coffee, en route to pick up the turkey l popped into Waterstones. I could resist these splendid wolves as a wee gift for the 54mm orcs-

They look pleased with their allies/pets and have welcomed them into their wintery home with promises of some food to come very soon…

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

 Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine!

Illustrations by David Jones.

Teague not Tunstill !

 Mark’s post this morning- https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2023/12/23/toy-theatres-toy-soldiers-soldiers-model-railways-and-the-brontes/

made me pop to the  bookshelves to look for this book. I thought it was by Tunstill but it was in fact by Teague. I thought you might enjoy seeing it anyway-

Really like the way of marking out rivers, always meant to try it…

Cool period specific baseboard ideas…

About the man himself-

Have a good day whatever you are doing. Finally a couple of fun pictures-

The last one reminds me of the “Greying of the hobby” discussions which are ever with us..

Christmas Eve, Eve in the Duchy of Tradgardland

 It is Christmas Eve, Eve in the Duchy of Tradgardland. It is the day when the Duke inspects his troops and gives them all a gold coin as a thank you for their loyal service. The Duke is present, the three chests carrying the coins are beside him. He hands each soldier a coin individually and exchanges  pleasantries of the Season-

The Duke is accompanied by his Court Orchestra ( formerly in the service of Wittenberg) who accompany the ceremony with suitable carols.

Thanks to the Duke’s  Flaggenmacher David for such glorious flags and to the Duke of Wittenberg for his Court Musicans.

Sitrep

 I have come down with a fluy/ coldy thing since Tuesday. I don’t have the energy for much but have been doing what has to be done to prepare for visitors. I was due to host a game here but that has been postponed.At other points I have been resting, enjoying the radio and you tube on tv. I found fascinating programmes on David Jones, the artist for example not mention history ones.  Hope to feel better by Monday…

In the meantime some art that has taken my fancy of late…

Winter warfare

 It is the shortest day in Albion, snow has fallen-

Yet the soldiers of the Albion Army continue to train in all weathers-

Firing and tobogganing simultaneously takes some training to master!

The officer and fellow tobogganists offering covering fire as the troops advance…

Private Watts is a tad over confident, firing from a kneeling posture whilst hurling down the hill.

Bought off Ebay

 These eBay purchases arrived today-

I had had them in the past but had got rid at some time ages ago. They are to go with the article below from a 1997 Wargame Illustrated article l have kept all these years-

I had forgotten WAB contained artwork pertaining to the Late Scandanavian Bronze Age!

Some figures arrived also from Wargames Foundry …

Trees

 Delighted to see a gang of Long Tailed Tits on the feeder today-

Later on the Christmas tree was decorated and put up-

Gaudete

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cEPmGq0Ii2o

Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born
Of the Virgin Mary, rejoice!

The time of grace has come
For which we have prayed
Let us devoutly sing
Songs of joy.

God is made man,
While nature wonders
The world is renewed
By Christ the King.

The closed gate of Ezekiel
Has been passed through
From where the light has risen [the East],
Salvation is found.

Therefore let our assembly sing praises now
At this time of purification
Let it bless the Lord:
Greetings to our King.

What’s that coming over the hill… is it a Christmas Decoration?

 My middle daughter bought three new decos for our Christmas tree. This is my favourite. I couldn't resist adding a figure into the photos which I will entitle “ It came from outer space…”

Looking

 

Just seeing , this morning, what I would need to buy to get enough figures for a WAB army…

OSCW

 Old School Civil war was the order of the day- Ronnie commanded Parliament and I for the King. Minifigs, Airfix and felt were the order of the day. Circumstances prevented the game being completed but rest assured another game in on the cards sooner or later.