Battle of Twin Farms, an interlude...

Yesterday I went looking for some inspiration for the forthcoming solo game on my bookshelves-

From left to right- "From Dusk to Dawn" is a book first published in 1945 by the farmer,writer,journalist etc A G Street.and is an enjoyable entertaining read filled with memorable characters.The Pocket Book was got relatively recently when seen  remaindered in a bookshop in Edinburgh.A good background read. Finally the first book I bought about the Home Guard many ,many moons ago.There are many pictures in it which would inspire gaming and modelling as well as being a good read.

Finally a book published  relatively recently and an utterly splendid read. Most interesting,entertaining and thought provoking too.
Any suggestions for other reads welcome here too...

England 1940, somewhere near Twin Farms... Part 1

Mr Yeatman has rushed from his look out point on the tower of St Adhlhem's church. Breathless ,with cassock slightly raised to aid running, he arrives at the thatched  vicarage. He knocks on the door and Fr Timothy (Farthing) answers.  A short conversation ensues on the telephone  and some minutes later the police arrive...
Mr Yeatman tells that he has seen an armoured column with "hundreds" of Germans approaching.
The police agree to ride over by bicycle to Twin Farms where Captain Mainwaring is stationed with his platoon. "I fear there will be a battle today Mr Yeatman" comments Fr Timothy.

Battle report soon dear reader, will the day go well for the gallant Captain and his men?

A little light conversion work...

 Sunday morning earlyish  ,after the Clocks went back...
As a boy my pride and joy were my Elastolin figures.I didn't have that many .The first came from a holiday in Switzerland around 1970- including some Composition ones of "Modern" Swiss soldiers.They (the plastic ones) were added to from a Chap who sold them in the UK.who  produced a typed list which I poured over along with a coloured leaflet from  abroad.I think they were quite expensive relatively speaking.My dad would  order a few for me at a time and they arrived by post in wee grey cardboard boxes- often birthdays and Christmas. Eventually a castle was got one Christmas- probably from Jenners in Edinburgh? I had some Romans etc in 40mm but mainly what I called Swiss  v Landsknechts. The "Swiss" were the armoured figures and fought against the colourful and exotic Landsknechts commanded by a splendid mounted figure Georg von Frundsberg. Exotic characters and names in a catalogue for a smallish boy...
The castle went as part of downsizing years ago along with some figures but many remain.I found this broken chap ( one of the "Swiss" the other day and have repaired /converted him for use -

 

He was missing a hand and sword.I replaced them with one from the Perry 28mm plastic box of  European mercenaries which looked not too bad scale wise.He was glued to a 2p coin and Milliput added for to the base.Finally ( so far) his damaged shield was cut off and replaced by a card/paper construction to represent a faceted  metal shield to look like this one made by reenactors- 

I am still considering trying to change the lower legs to boots but have not completely decide yet.Any guesses as to what the figure will be and his period?

Humanity, a Resource?

Just been signed off by my supportive G.P for another 10 days. Today went through an Absent Management meeting and later in the day was called by someone who used my name as many times as possible in a brief call (zeitgeist I fear) arranging a telephone interview next week with Occupational Health. I am left feeling like a resource.People have been helpful,even kind ,but I still feel hassled by the System etc .Is it just me?

On a brighter note I am delighted by my Apple crop (some pictured above) which I have never known so abundant nor tasty. The weather has had a lot to do with it I feel.
Trying this afternoon to chill by catching up with "Homeland" and this book-

Night Watch

A wonderful video called Night Watch can be found here-
http://irregularwars.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-night-watch.html

While you are there do have a look at the interesting gaming and splendidly painted figures on the Irregular Wars blog too...

Raiders/Mercenaries from the empire (not TM)

I have always been fascinated by the Holy Roman Empire and that old chestnut about it being neither Holy,Roman nor an Empire.

Because of that I have always had a soft spot for GW's The Empire.In fact I still have my old copy of their supplement about it from many moons ago-

I have always felt less comfortable with aspects like the uniformity of the different state's troops for example but nevertheless find it interesting still.

I have been painting some figures for warbands to use with the Songs of Blades and Heroes skirmish rules lately. I have tried to get a vague background for them-the empire.A sort of Holy Roman Empire but with all fantasy races at the same technological level. So goblins dress in renaissance clothing like everyone else for example. Here is my first effort- a GreatGoblin/Orc(?) raiding party-

Redoubt/Dixon figures with White Knight's Miniature Imperium heads added.Some I painted ,some are painted figures (by someone else) I had lying around with a head swop.

I have really enjoyed working with these figures and getting them ready.

Here is the band's leader/hero/anti-hero depending on one's perspective and the standardbearer bearing  a flag "liberated " early in the early days of the band's formation. Finally a picture byPeter Paul Rubens which is a particular favourite of mine-

A painting that says something of the atmosphere I am trying to create in the figures for this project.

reading matters-

Monday morning early.
Popping in with Jan today for the delayed Chemo 2 ( hopefully) this morning. I have packed my rucksack-

The reality is a little more practical if less fun.

As ever we take a variety of magazines and books to pass the time. Today I have packed the following- Toy Soldier Collector magazine- inspiration for those 54mm projects,Songs of Blades and Heroes rules - get the mechanisms into my head and some warbands created on paper ( when I return to work very soon I will need a small scale project/game to work with as time/energy will be limited) the whole of Charles Grant's Meccano magazine "Battle Practical Wargames" articles printed out.I want to read the last chapters again and also look at the illustrations as inspiration for the Duchy of Volare- Cantare project.The last item is my moleskin notebook where I jot down hobby ideas.I refer to it often and ideas are not lost into the ether nor forgotten.Project ideas are recorded here to use later,perhaps even months or years later.
So I am all set .Finally a picture of our bookshelf which used to be a fireplace but was beyond redemption.However it looks great and works well for books-

Have a good Monday morning one and all!