On the work bench

 Just finished two sections for a big VBCW game coming up . One comprises volunteers from the Automobile Association and the other is a section of Spode’s Blackshorts.

They have movement trays too. Each section has a tray for each half section, one for the gun group and one for the rifle group.

When l couldn’t sleep last night l thought what to tackle from the plastic peak , found in the vicinity of the lead mountain . They are Perry Plastic late nineteenth century and will be painted as rifle volunteers.

Fine fiddly fellows to build but they look the part. 

Me and Mrs Traquair…

 It has been a busy but enjoyable week of guiding as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe-

Now as Mrs Traquair ( she was always Mrs Traquair in life never Phoebe ) is becoming better known more people are wanting to see her murals as well as her many sided work in the galleries. Embroidery, calligraphy, metal work and more, she was a multi talented Arts and Craft artist.

Yesterday as I wasn’t guiding l took the chance to book a tour of her work at the Song School of St Mary’s Cathedral. The Song School is still used as a place the choir rehearse , in use a lot and consequently not open that often. I took the chance for a coffee at Cairngorm and a read first-

Mrs Traquair painted the Song School first and it is interesting to compare her work in both places. I had an excellent tour with a welcoming , knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide.

A grand day out with some hobby time pm ( finishing off a couple of VBCW sections in 28mm) a trip to the Virtual Wargaming Club latterly.

Penedredfel

 

A busy day at Penedredfel Station. The broken bench is being repaired and an advertising poster has been added.

Uxbridge Cornish Dictionary

 Readers are invited to submit suggestions for Station names to be added to my garden railway in the future. Names of course must be in Cornish like the rest of the station or halt names.

Another station

 This small halt serves the village of Pensyve and is situated just beyond the mouth of  the tunnel under Plegel Gorwedh. Unusually there is no platform as a natural rock formation serves that function.

Books !

 There have been lots of books coming into the Ducal library of late , even by my standards. On my return these were waiting for me.

Naval and Military Press had a sale recently and I snapped up some facsimile Home Guard pamphlets. They look fascinating and full of insights into the times plus gaming ideas.

The above was recommended by a fellow guide, looks interesting on first glance and was purchased relatively cheaply second hand.

Dundee dérive photo dump

Had an enjoyable day visiting Dundee today.

Went a different bus route going to and from Dundee. Both sadly were full of roadworks. Busy buses too with Oasis appearing in Edinburgh and the Festival on as well. I was fortunate to get a seat coming home.

Finland etc

 The morning began with a quick trip to Tesco preceded by varnishing the new halt/station. G came round with another board game.

This was full of interesting mechanisms, relatively short rules and interesting tactical challenges. Yesterday was a familiarisation session and we very much look forward to a full game later when time allows.

In other news the station had a visit from from one of the wild  mountain goats now living in the vicinity. 

The railway line is well known for the diversity of flora and fauna present in the surrounding countryside.

Yesterday

 Yesterday saw me in Edinburgh guiding preceded by a coffee, breakfast and read here-

https://www.coffeesaints.co.uk/

My guiding is here - https://mansfieldtraquair.org.uk/

I really enjoy sharing the building’s history with visitors from far and near.

In the afternoon the post man arrived-

A wee addition to the garden railway, put together with superglue in the garden.

I had time to paint it and will varnish it today. Rain is forecast so there might be a delay in station construction work

The postman also brought this book I was hoping to buy at Claymore but wasn’t able to due to Caliver’s absence. On first flick through it looks a really interesting read. Currently enjoying the podcasts from “ The rest is history “ about Mary Queen of Scots…

Painting

 If I have a painting style, which I don’t think l do, it is to cover a multitude of sins with Army Painter strong wash then varnish preceded by basic block painting in acrylics.

I fear this approach will not be appropriate to use with Suren Willie figures, any suggestions as how to proceed…

WW1 Italian Front - some approaches

 Now that I have a number of figures painted and books too-

Perhaps it is time to think how to game this. Some approaches-

http://megablitzandmore.blogspot.com/2024/05/33rd-battle-of-isonzo-part-2.html

Funny little Wars rules and splendid toy soldier approach.

https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/09/wwi-rules-review-kind-of-sort-of.html

Rules review etc

Or another approach 

https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2024/01/one-hour-wargames-more-machine-age.html

Hmm lots to ponder upon…

Volunteering cancelled due to weather here. Buses and trains off at noon in Fife. Have good and safe day one and all.

Claymore

 Yesterday was the annual Edinburgh show. Here are some photos-

Samurai game, one of three in that period, great castle . Probably Midgard rules.

Another terrific samurai game, terrific ship which was converted Disney and fish market. Iron Brigade using Lion Rampant.

Vietnam game . Was taken by terrain filled glasses to support helicopters.

Playmobil Custer game , lovely figures and terrific fun.

Italian wars in 28 mm with big pike blocks.

Baccus 6mm , shows the spectacular nature of the game.

Lovely pain aux chocolate for second breakfast at the show. Sadly two booksellers weren’t there so I couldn’t pick up a copy of Stuart Insch’s book on the Marian Civil Wars in Scotland which was top of my list to buy. The only other purchases on the list were some bases and they were got from the redoubtable Warbases.

After the show we returned to friends for a bbq and my daughters came and some of their family too . It was my youngest’s birthday and our hosts had made her a cake-

All in all a grand day out with lovely weather too!