Well worth watching

 I’ve probably posted this before but these BBC “Timeshift” documentaries on the history of railway modelling are well worth viewing-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oX5ZEV354yI

Chhanges…

 Yesterday my last born moved into her new flat. The rain teemed down as we loaded the van yesterday evening. Today we were due to have my uncle and aunt over to view my father’s cinefilms from the 1960s and 70s .These were transferred to VHS and subsequently onto Dvd. Here is an image I found on the internet of what I can remember the camera looking like-

He documented family holidays, birthdays, Christmases and more. My uncle has never seen the films or probably more likely has forgotten them being shown on a projector over fifty years ago. My Subuteo games are there somewhere along with Action Men and more besides. Sadly little or no footage of toy soldiers . And so we were due to gather here today to wallow in the remembrance of times past but a bug hit the household over night and I had to cancel. Yes we hope to reschedule but my uncle is getting frailer and changes were not what anyone needed or wanted. Soon hopefully.

My email inbox and its contents informed me today that it is a hundred days to Christmas, information I could have lived without. 

Finally Thursday saw me getting round to unpacking a final box containing some of the late Eric Knowles’s Ottoman artillery, transport and cavalry. Fascinating finds lay within-

Much more on this when I collate what I have and begin to work how how to take these forward in my gaming whilst respecting the organisation, labelling and modelling of Eric Knowles, something I am more than keen to do. Here is a brief taster-

 

 

B day etc

 It was my middle daughter’s 28th Birthday today. 

Anna and I went to St Andrews and had an enjoyable lunch at Northpoint cafe.

As ever a walk along the beach was in order . Weather was kind to us and it was very pleasant.

Presents followed , she is a huge Percy Pig fan…

Family members came round for a meal and Angus baked a splendid birthday cake.

In St Andrews I discovered a bookshop I hadn’t been in before, went in and found this- very reasonable at £6.50. -

I am particularly interested in the scenic aspects of railway modelling and the development of the fully integrated scenic approach. This book has some fascinating articles about “ Notable Model Railways” giving an account of such in words and pictures.

A good day indeed.

Podcasts etc

 I enjoy listening to podcasts whilst working around the house and painting figures or modelling. Currently here are some of my favourites, which I access via free Spotify-

Firstly “ The Civil War , a history podcast”  which has been going for years I believe. It is about the lead up to, aftermath and conduct of the ACW. Often in fifteen minute episodes it has helped me come to grips with the social and political aspects of the period as well as the war itself. Easy to listen to and accessible plus every episode offers book recommendations.

Secondly “ Revolutions” which looks at revolutions in history reaching back to Roman times. I have been listening to the ones about the lead up to the 1848 revolutions. The podcast is a one shop stop to finally understanding the complexity of Europe at the time . It can be stacked full of interesting information in a dense way but remains always interesting. A perfect way of spending under an hour coming to grips with the history of Hungary , for example.

Thirdly “ The Oldhammer Fiction Podcast” which I have just found relatively recently. It is full of fiction based in the setting of warhammer.  I haven’t listen to loads of episodes yet but quite enjoy these stories from yesteryear. Probably one to dip in and out of.

For some reason l don’t seem to enjoy wargaming based podcasts although sometimes the interviews with the good and the great of the hobby are fascinating. I would be interested in hearing what others listen to.

September seems to be increasingly busy, something l am not a big fan of. The calendar gets filled and there is less energy or enthusiasm for hobby matters or perhaps they are a mental escape, however briefly. Real life is either famine or feast at the moment. Once the current wad of family things gets done l hope to settle down to slightly quieter life as autumn approaches.

One interesting development is that l will be going to a weekly class in Glasgow, put on by the Open Learning department of the University of Glasgow . It is another Art History one. It will be fun to be in the  West on a weekly basis in the weeks of autumn into winter. I also look forward to a new lecturer and probably new students. I have found that those attending such courses are often fascinating to talk to having had a great variety of life experiences. All this and fifteenth/sixteenth century art!

Back in the H.R.E , you don’t know how lucky you are…

 Change is as good as a rest they say. Although I don’t have a great deal of time this week l am returning to this project from last year-

Hope to get a few semi flats begun…

In case you have forgotten what this was about follow the HRE label at the bottom of the post. It will take you to a Europe that never was…

A mysterious arrival

 Bob and Bert are scratching their heads this morning. A new arrival at Penedredfel Station is causing something of a stir-

                                                           Is it a boat, is it a train, is it a…

Anyway all they can do is paint it in the P.L.R livery and wait to be told what to do with it…

Wargamers , just want to have fun… or do they?

 I’ve been musing of late how we seem to have lost our sense of fun as a hobby. We take ourselves too seriously at times, move towards rivet counting and pedantry. Not everyone ,by any means , but we are in danger of losing our child like , playful side in a striving for historicity and simulation. After all we play with toy soldiers and that’s that!

The Oldhammer community , for example, seems to retain the fun , core element of enjoyment-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lfp45pcRoXc

Many blogs retain that essential fun. Here’s an example-

https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2023/09/07/red-box-toy-soldiers-types-of-the-galactick-empyre-1-airfix-space-warriors/

I’ve just finished a dbm fifteenth century Army in 28mm. It will take to the table for the first time later this month. I don’t care if I win or not. I just want to play in character , in period as much as possible and have an enjoyable game with a strong narrative and anecdotes arising from it.

These guys are fun-

Self indulgent , nostalgia dripping, seventies project. I totally admit it. To be played with fun rules. I still recall how daylight caused my trolls to turn to stone on a bridge thereby blocking it totally for friend and foe alike. That happened nearly fifty years ago but has stayed with me. 

So let’s have fun in the hobby. Boo to points values, competition gaming and pedantry! However if that’s your thing, enjoy it and play with fun. Rant over. Thoughts please…