The Duchy of Tradgardland

Sunday, 7 January 2024

Epiphany

Woodblock by David Jones

We three kings of orient areBearing gifts we traverse afarField and fountainMoor and mountainFollowing yonder star

O star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to thy perfect light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plainGold I bring to crown Him againKing for ever, ceasing neverOver us all to reign

Frankincense to offer have IIncense owns a Deity nighPrayer and praisingAll men raisingWorship Him, God most high

O star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to thy perfect light

Myrrh is mineIt's bitter perfume breathesA life of gathering gloomSorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dyingSealed in the stone cold tomb

Glorious now behold Him ariseKing and God and SacrificeAl-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-iaHeaven to earth replies

O star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty brightWestward leading, still proceedingGuide us to thy perfect light

Only a paper,sorry rebel moon.

I watched “ Rebel Moon “ this week. I was originally drawn in by the etched armour look on the weapons, armour and the robot. This sort of detail-

I liked that sort of attention to detail. The film has a Star Wars , Warhammer 40k vibe to it. Here is a wee article on it-

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/06/zack-snyder-exclusive-first-look-rebel-moon

I enjoyed the world building but wasn’t completely bowled over by the film. What do you think?

Saturday, 6 January 2024

Out and about

Popped over to Edinburgh on Thursday, a spur of the moment decision.

This fallen or shooting star looks spectacular at the entrance to the St James Quarter. Not sure if this is seasonal or permanent.

The new faux old ( ?) shops or offices which appeared here. Used to be a narrow thoroughfare. Can’t recall when the change occurred.

Still nor sure what I think of “The Apple” but on the whole it is an interesting if futuristic looking building which could inspire some table top buildings for someone.

Popped into the NMS for a wee look and inspiration for forthcoming painting. One of my old favourites.

Nice Bronze Age kit on display really liked it, again painting inspiration.

Seen en route to St Patrick’s . I have discovered a direct route from near the station by way of closes that is new to me.

St Patrick’s in the Cowgate, a beautiful building.

On bus homeward bound and noticed the rides were still working, not for me !

An enjoyable dérive in the Capital.

Friday, 5 January 2024

I wrote this around 07:40 on Thursday 4th January 2024. I wrote it for the Virtual Wargames Cub but am posting it here too. Already l am thinking l missed bits or need to tweak it BUT l am resisting and post it here as I first wrote it -

Morning all,

The sun has not quite risen over the Duchy yet , l have had breakfast and am sitting down to write my plans for 2024 ! This is so hard firstly because l am a butterfly when it comes to the hobby and secondly because l often get sidetracked/ enthused by others work and set off in a new direction…

Anyway here goes…

1. Paint up opponents for Ronnie’s Romans and game with WAB. Probably Silures as l like the idea of dark haired, brooding proto Welsh Druid driven.

2. Something in 54/40mm Toy Soldier like with a Ross McF vibe.

3. Sort the collection/ lead mountain out, label and organise. This needs better weather as l want to take the contents out of the shed and sort all the fresco. I want to do this in order firstly to see what I actually have and secondly to make it easier for my daughters when l die.

4. Get my Late 15th Century German army ( still on sprues or undercoated only sadly) on to the table painted. I have a deep abiding love of the Late Gothic art and culture.

5. Contribute to the VWC in more meaningful ways than just puns and bad jokes .

6. Enjoy the hobby and have fun with it rather than it being a tyranny.

7. Do some railway modelling, indoors or outdoors or both!

Well the die is cast , we shall have to see what happens…

Cheers

Alan

P.S 8 Some sort of Charge gaming set in the Duchy of Tradgardland with diverse uniforms, enough to upset rivet counters to the Nth degree but delight the shade of the Brigadier.