Saturday, 8 February 2025

Madrid

 Sadly both the Prado and Reina Sophia didn’t allow photography. This was enforced in the Prado but not in the latter. Visitors ignored the no photo rule and snapped away . Even Guernica was constantly being photographed and nothing was said. I decided to follow the museum’s wishes and took no photos although I really would have liked to , especially close up of details on the paintings , prints and plans. Anyway here are some l did take in Madrid, they are in no particular order due to blogger problems-

I was really taken by the ceramic street signs.
Inside Hola coffee shop.
Signs, apartments and balconies. I wonder what it is like inside…


Book of photos on rural customs, had some really interesting photos within.
Powerful monument, somewhere in the older part of the city.

Really interesting shop selling retro football tops etc
I loved this photo at the entrance to the aforementioned shop.
Grand buildings down town
Art Deco cinema, beautiful building.
The garden at the centre of Reina Sofia.
A door in Hola cafe, glad top to bottom in stickers. 

https://hola.coffee/

Community garden near the above coffee shop. My daughter using her phone to guide us places took us off piste and past interesting buildings and areas.
Finally the book huts and the enigma of the leaves not falling from the trees even though they were obviously dead. Probably climate is the reason. All in all a great wee trip.


Friday, 7 February 2025

Back

 Well that’s us back from two nights in Madrid. A wee trip abroad was suggested by middle daughter and l jumped at it. It was my first visit to Spain and the furthest south I have been. I had a fascinating and enjoyable time and will definitely go back.

Really enjoyed looking at the terrain from the plane.

Street maps on pillars were so helpful to get a sense of where we were.
First evening . I loved the dry warmth and sun staying up later. Looking across at the Ministry of Agriculture building.
Beautiful trees in a park near the area in the previous photo.
Could not resist taking a picture of the hand wash. Ha ha ha😀
View from my seventh floor bedroom. Hotel was fine, not too central and I would try to stay more centrally another time.
I was fascinated by these wooden booths all dedicated to selling books, often with large tables of books beside them. The joys of a dry climate. I also noted  that the trees retain many of their leaves and seeds dried rather than shedding them.
Much to take in and think about re Spain and interests to pursue. More photos and thoughts anon. 


Monday, 3 February 2025

Stuff etc

 Enjoyable day yesterday for my firstborn’s birthday-





The other day l noticed Poundland had some good deals on this make of boxes -

The three cost around £8 and just the thing to store the Homeguard chaps in…
Finally been putting my 28mm figures with 20mm buildings on the table. I like the look of smaller scale buildings with bigger scale buildings. Saves table space too.





Sunday, 2 February 2025

Enough is enough?

 Musical intro to the post -

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QsY066wa08E

Hope you enjoyed that. 

I had occasion to send an email to my two regular opponents cancelling last week's game due to the weather. I also took the chance to explain my Bolt Action plans. To cut a long story short l was saying I had enough “stuff “ for tactically interesting games and probably would be stopping adding to my ww2 etc  collection. I can’t find the email or I would have copied it here. Basically l have enough VBCW stuff for big games at my friends or wee games here. As for wee games l have the following ww2 options -

LDV  (armband , shotgun and ill  equipped) versus Germans

Homeguard ( uniformed and better equipped) versus Germans

1940 Norwegians versus Germans 

Ww2 Swedes versus Germans - what if invasion of Sweden.

My Germans are all paratroopers and mountain troops btw.

So that is it . Yes l wouldn’t mind the odd tank or beaverette armoured car that might mix it up a bit but the ratio of added gaming experience versus price stops me currently. Or perhaps a VBCW cricket team but I don’t need them, fun yes but not necessary. Sometimes enough can be enough.



Monday, 27 January 2025

Unboxing or Hurrah from the Homeguard

 My Homeguard chaps are delighted with a parcel that arrived from Brian C today-


Excellent transport for both the Homeguard not to mention my VBCW forces. Thanks Brian most kind indeed!


Sunday, 26 January 2025

Pictures etc

 

The garden railway halt was blown over with broken glass blown across the line ( all two feet of it) from tea light holders. Interesting to see what the model engineers do…
Two large visitors to the bird feeder yesterday who managed to eat at the same time.
I am enjoying painting these Bloody Miniatures ECW figures, they are such lovely sculpts. 

Today is/was my wedding anniversary and some of my family are coming round for haggis , neaps and tattles etc, should be fun.

Saturday, 25 January 2025

After the storm etc

Thursday saw meeting my middle daughter for a wee trip to South Queensferry, including her swim in the Forth!
This was followed by lunch and coffee in Dune bakery https://www.dunebakery.com/
Yesterday was a day at home as the Storm raged and raged it did. All fine here in the Duchy but other friends had roof ripped off and trees falling in their garden.
Neighbour’s fence damaged badly unfortunately.
Trees down in the centre of Dunfermline.
Much of yesterday was spent painting, listening to music, these German Mountain troops.
Been briefly uptown for supplies but hopefully in for the rest of the day as it is rather wet here.
 

Thursday, 23 January 2025

Gone West, yesterday

 Yesterday saw me through to Glasgow for my course-

Very foggy from the bus crossing the Forth at Kincardine.
An enjoyable bracing walk ended up with views of the uni shrouded in mist.
Most enjoyable al fresco lunch taken walking in Kelvingrove park.
My intention was to make directly for the Dutch painting section, but it didn’t turn out like that.
Got distracted by this and photographing it for daughter number three who would be fascinated by it.
Time then spent at the Harry Clarke window, which I love. Oh well next time…