Landscape as inspiration

 Before l came on this wee trip to the Lake District l photographed this page from one og my note books-

It was written in the cafe at Chesters by the River in 2014 on a family trip over coffee in the July of that year. The notebook is one I collect hobby ideas in. I have a habit of dating the pages and saying what I was doing at the time. It was and is taken to trips as well as things like hospital outings, something to work on and divert and while away the hours. 

Anyway the above page was for an imagination based on features geographical and cultural of the Lake District or at least how l saw them. The Duchy of Fellund was the name I chose at the time. It has been interesting to read this again, albeit in facsimile form on the iPad whilst down for the weekend as the rain lashed and the clouds parted. 

Last night the “ Young People” decided to stay out a little longer that I wanted so l walked back to the air b&b though heavy rain, uphill all the way through unlit streets for the majority of the way. On Friday we had done this route with big suitcases with tiny wheels and felt we were never getting there. Sunday evening the same route was atmospheric and thankfully luggage free. I felt a combination of interest in the lit windows and quiet lanes and an overwhelming desire to be “home” out of the rain. It was a walk almost timeless through the Ambleside streets with occasional pools of light and the odd strategic street lamp. I imagined a walk like this pre electricity…

Yesterday at Derwentwater l was entranced by the exposed tree roots-

The treees had grown round rocks embedding them.

Finally l thought l saw Tony from blogdom at Windermere train station waiting for a bus Friday afternoon. Was it you?

Day three - the birthday

 

Reading these with a view to use R&P for Craigside and the other set for late medieval possibly.

Evening in Pub , Ambleside.

The opening of the birthday cards and gifts late afternoon.

Interesting beer served with lunch in the Rowan restaurant, Ambleside.

Vintage bus passes through Grasmere.

Selfie at Derwentwater.

Fascinating trees on edge of lake.

The young people went in for a morning swim.

Trees again…

On the path to the lake side having parked nearby…after a hearty birthday breakfast in the air b&b.

Day two

 

Day one

 

Maintenance

 Firstly maintenance of the aim-

Yesterday l found time to glue together the next batch of Craigshire Volunteers. Plastic cement is a joy to use compared with superglue and the job was completed relatively simply. After that the figures were given an undercoat/ first coat of grey paint . I do want to keep this moving along..

Btw does anyone know who makes  28mm 1870s/ 80s in home service uniform, both mounted and dismounted?

Secondly , general maintenance,whilst sorting I was looking at these John Ruddle sailors-

I can’t make up my mind whether I should leave them be or touch up the paint and then gloss varnish to seal his work in. Thoughts?

Finally a couple of seasonal photos -

Seasonally wrong , way too early . Seen in local shop.

Seasonally correct, seen in my garden.

Have a good Friday one and all.

Reversing the invasion

 My painting desk and its contents had spread dramatically of late. Figures, brushes and general hobby detritus invaded the top surface of the piece if furniture beside my painting desk. This happened partly because the desktop was so filled with Stuff there was no room for an modelling of painting to occur. It was mess . So l set out to tidy and organise the other day. A plastic unit of drawers was added in the gap between the desk and the nearby piece of furniture and the top surface evacuated of all hobby items.

I am pleased with the results which make everything more civilised and stuff is easier to locate.

At the end of a hobby session the roll top can be brought down now , something rather pleasing to the eye.

Now that only leaves my bedroom and THE SHED to sort , onwards and upwards…

More Norwegians

 

In order to create more Norwegian invaders l turned to the Perry plastic 1870 Prussian skirmish set.

I had to cut off the blanket or greatcoat roll , too Prussian and definitely not Norwegian.

In this photo you can see the blanket/greatcoat clearly. It was removed with snips and a penknife.

                                                             This is the figure I was striving for.

So how did they turn out? Judge for yourself below-

All in all quite pleased with the results…