Update 2

 Cleared the desk top today and also info re the model show-

Update

 Another week began yesterday in the Duchy. Real life took over last week and l had to cancel Friday’s game. Little hobby stuff , apart from reading, has taken place over the weekend. I seem to have picked up another cold/fluey thing and currently go from one to the next with a day or so between. The washing machine has very effectively dealt with the Cloth Mountain ( makes a change from talking about the Lead one) that built up. Saturday saw another Zoom gathering of the Virtual Wargames Club which is always a joy. The mix of fun, fellowship and hobby projects is a great way to spend ninety minutes. I have come to realise just how important this gathering has become for me and I try to go as much as possible. As an annual event like Woking ( 54mm games, discussions and net working) has been cancelled this Spring the virtual community has become even more important.

My weeks are either famine or feast currently, almost too much or too few things on. I am missing my weekly University Class and eagerly anticipate the one commencing in April. This is an excellent week hobby wise. The postponed battle ( based on a famous one in Charge l believe ) between the Duchy of Tradgardland and the Duchy of Albion (?) will take place. This will be the first battle for the 1790 Tradgardlanders and is one l eagerly anticipate.  Also I am playing another Dark Age skirmish set in the ongoing clash between Vikings and Irish. The last one was fun and showed the enjoyment a small encounter can give in terms of tactical decision making and the joy of bad dice throwing. Also this week is  Model Rail Scotland, a big show in Glasgow. Always interesting, l await it with enthusiasm.

The ongoing battle with the Black Dog continues and has been quite a ding dong battle in the last week. I didn’t slay him but gave as good as I got. 

Finally a gratuitous Elk picture-

From the Kalevala, I have dipped in and out of it over the years but really ought to do it more justice. Tolkien was a huge fan of it .

https://www.councilofelrond.com/content/tolkien-and-the-kalevala/

Arrival

 Having spent much of the day fretting l had measured incorrectly the space the washing machine was to go in, all went well. They arrived within their allotted span - 17:16 to 19:16 , were helpful, friendly and efficient and got the job done. John Lewis  thank you!

In other news l am currently reading-

The Vichy book is well written and full of fascinating details. To take horses across to Palestine was a major feat. A different aspect of WW2 and an excellent read. The Rugby League book is full of statistics and an excellent account of last season.

The machine is dead, long live the machine! Ann Elk, sorry, an elk!

 

The washing machine began of late  to make horrendous noises when spinning. I hoped it would sort itself but it didn’t plus the seal rubber gathered round the machine door like a relief map of the Himalayan mountains. I got a washing machine repair man who pronounced the machine kaput this morning. I managed to arrange for a new one to be installed tomorrow, but at a price! All that lead, plastic, book and travel money having to go into a White Good, not good.

In other news The Duchy of Tradgardland has been trying out her new elk mounted scouts. Here they are working in cooperation with jaegers.

Further background can be read at the link below-

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose_cavalry

Recently Neil P recommended some 18th century figures with winter clothing and snow shoes. They arrived yesterday and are excellent castings-

I look forward to putting some paint on these…

Namesake

 Interesting figure here-

https://oldworldarmychallenge.blogspot.com/2024/02/samuels-empire-grand-army-of-nuln-rank.html

In other hobby news Real Life has been busy and enjoyable but has not allowed any time or energy for doing much at all hobby wise. I have done a little painting on the Black Tree medievals but spent more time procrastinating about how to base them. Hope to do more stuff in the next few days and have moved things forward…

Superbowl

 Stayed up for the Superbowl-

A shame for the  Forty Niners!

Congratulations and celebrations

 Celebrating Zoe and Angus’s 30 th birthdays today!