Game and recommended

 Tuesday saw me playing the Seelowe roadblock scenario again-

I made sure l laid out the table copying the map in the book. The red line delineated my table size.

All set up and ready to play…

Played the Home Guard and l the German paratroopers charged with taking the roadblock. Here we see the Homeguard defending with infantry, Smith gun and Beaverette Armoured Car.

The paratroopers enter the table turn one. Green felt areas woods.

Home guard and paratroopers have taken severe casualties. Red dice are pinned markers btw.

The situation at the end of the allotted turns. Homeguard win due to them still holding the roadblock. In other news the railway work has paused due to Real Life being busy in a number of ways.

Finally a recommendation of an excellent Science Fiction novel which l finished yesterday-

I haven’t been gripped so much by a novel in ages. The sequel is already on order…

Work in progress

 Yesterday saw an enjoyable day spent modelling whilst listening to “The rest is history “ podcast which l am currently favouring for its insights and humour too.

I found this mangled Herald figure in my spares box. He came in a box with some figures ages ago. His head and upper body had been removed with a diagonal cut.

I decided he could be utilised in my current project, so with a head swap , putty to build up the body and number two figure he was based ready for action.

So far l had ignored the lmg figures. Yesterday l did a head swap and they are ready for painting.

Finally needed some bomber , grenade throwers, figures so used the kneeling mortar figure , removing the mortar and adding in a suitably toy soldier stick grenade in the form of a pin.

Figures are moving along nicely re basing and painting since these photos were taken.

Pardon me boy …

 Another famous Cornish station modelled today-

Whealybn Station after painting and station sign added.

The gas powered lamps will illuminate the station after dark.

Thankfully a bench has been added for the comfort and convenience of all concerned.

A swooping seagull’s eye view of the railway so far…

Extra Time

 The unexpected return from my holiday early has been a bonus. I have turned disappointment into positivity.  My daughter has been away so l have had the place to myself. The modelling projects have moved forward well, l have had a chance to do some tidying up too in the house as well as watching the coverage of GAA hurling and football. I’ve read more of a novel than I have had for ages and inspite of a wee visit by the black dog  ( shown the door without too much difficulty) it has been a valuable time.

A new halt/station has been purchased…

Front figures waiting for basing to be completed in the form of wee stones and tufts. Back figures awaiting completion. Moving along very nicely indeed.

Station/halt glued yesterday, left to dry and now ready for painting today. Rain has put pay to the track work today probably but we will see if it clears up…

Heads up

 First of all a heads up to a sale on at Aviation and Military Press. Got these at bargain prices-

Fascinating book full of potential model railway ideas too…

Who can resist a military cycling, in any period?

The amazingly cheap prices paid for the above books. A bargain.

In other matters , the heads I ordered from Antony at Imperial Miniatures arrived today-

Crisp castings , good service and quick delivery.

Some Austro Hungarians getting the heads up yesterday afternoon.

A quite drink and read in the garden after an enjoyable but busy day.

Training Season etc

 

How things look at the end of the day after a trip to Dobbies for plants.

The station completed with a “tree” and a ground cover plant.

Station platform is a sample paving block found around the garden.

The land is cleared but needs some greenery.

Work in progress…

Hammering the track pins in to attach it to the wood.

Started to do this on the table but soon realised it was far better done on the ground. So here we are at the start of the day so to speak.

Tracks of my tears

 Yesterday l came home to this-

The wood I was going to fix my track on has warped quite dramatically. I think a solution might be to cut it into smaller lengths…

In other news-

The recruiting sargent, sorry postman turned up with a bag of Airfix Japanese, ripe for conversion.

A good afternoon in the Duchy- Test on the the wireless, coffee in the cup, inspiration on the seat and work in progress in the vice, all under a not too hot sun.

Talking of ripe , the better weather has led to lots of these this year.

Brief encounter

 Yesterday saw me getting the train to visit friends in Skipton.

Art Deco loveliness from Waverley station.

Interesting buildings in Lancaster.

En route to Skipton.

Wandering about in the car yesterday afternoon.

Sadly overnight my friend took unwell and his wife and l agreed it was best if l left. I did that this morning returning via Settle and Carlisle.

As there was a coach party on the train we were treated to a volunteer guide telling us about the line and accompanying the journey with commentary. It was most interesting and a fortuitous surprise.

Going over the Ribblehead viaduct…

Home now after a good journey.