A trip out

It has been hard to have a day out this holiday with someone busy ,working or studying each day.However we all did manage to have a day yesterday ( the 30th ) in St Andrews-

Lunch at the Northpoint cafe, photographs (for inspiration for artwork) taken at the harbour and then back through the town via a splendid new bookshop- Topping and co-
http://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/
I resisted spending there but will be returning very soon. A splendid day rounded off by watching the beautifully filmed (not to mentioned costumed) Mapp and Lucia on BBC 1-

Today hopefully some time for a solo game,but we will see.

"Bring out your lead!" the shop keeper called in the back streets of the other Heliopolis.

Incidentally if anyone has any "old school" ancients that they wish to swap/sell let me know ...

A poem

The Land of Counterpaneby Robert Louis Stevenson

When I was sick and lay a-bed, I had two pillows at my head, And all my toys beside me lay, To keep me happy all the day. And sometimes for an hour or so I watched my leaden soldiers go, With different uniforms and drills, Among the bed-clothes, through the hills; And sometimes sent my ships in fleets All up and down among the sheets; Or brought my trees and houses out, And planted cities all about. I was the giant great and still That sits upon the pillow-hill, And sees before him, dale and plain, The pleasant land of counterpane.

Guess who I thought of today...

We went into Edinburgh today.On the way to see the BP Portrait Competition at the National Portrait Gallery we saw this-

The Duchy of Tradgardland would not be here but for him...

The weather outside is frightful...

Morning all!
Heavy frost here in the Duchy of Tradgardland.
My collection of Airfix 1/72 figures are out in the unheated shed/yurt/summerhouse in boxes in drawers.Will the plastic be affected by the weather and should I bring them indoors?

Updates etc

I had been avoiding it ( it being Frozen) but ended up promising to watch it on Boxing Day.I was pleasantly surprised by the film and entertained too. I also watched it as a source of gaming ideas too-
I particularly liked the juxtaposition of 19th century ships and viking looking dragon- prowed boats in the harbour.If it is good enough for Disney...

The same day I watched a splendid film called "Salmon fishing in the Yemen" on iplayer which I would recommend wholeheartedly to you all.I believe it is still available on iplayer until tonight.

Yesterday we had a family gathering here which went well. I was introduced to Pintrest by my niece which I had vaguely  heard of. I took little persuasion and joined up directly.It is such fun. I can see me being sucked into this and many happy hours spent collecting images.

Whist being  very tired still I am beginning to think what I would like to game /collect/paint in 2015. There are too many ideas floating around my brain/dodo pad/moleskin already and I will have to be disciplined,well a little I fear. After all the hobby is meant to be fun and life has enough disciplines without being to hard on myself hobbywise.I will let you know how my thinking goes...

Warriors Brave...

I have been enjoying this story over Christmas-

For more of the story follow the link below-
http://onemoregamingproject.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/warriors-brave-toy-soldier-christmas.html

I fear that some residents (Warrior braves from the north of Guyleria) of my house must have been reading over my shoulder...

Boxing Day

Morning all from a foggy Tradgardland this Boxing Day,Feast of St Stephen ( as in the song) proto martyr.
House is quietish.Daughter two is off to do a morning shift at work otherwise it is peaceful morning here.

We had a splendid day yesterday with lovely food after Mass and an enjoyable time together.Here are some of my gifts. This year the extended family did Secret Santa.We gave three ideas to Santa and one was to be given by him. I was delighted with the Kelly Kettle I got- something I have fancied for years now.I will try it out in the garden very soon. My daughter's gave me/us a Pointless board game ( I love the telly prog) which we will play hopefully today. Jan chose me a novel which looks an excellent read and gave me some Garrison lead to continue my Vendhyans including a war mammoth. I am a most fortunate chap indeed.