Updates...

Jan was due to get Chemo number 2 yesterday but was not able to go ahead as her blood counts were down.Hopefully they will be up next week and treatment will be able to go ahead...
Today I took this photo of my Gentian-

Meanwhile I have been painting this afternoon-

These are my 25mm Admin Celts.The base is full of captured roman and other standards and weapons.They are due to be sacrificed to the gods by being thrown into a sacred pool.They are figures filled with character and I hope to do them justice with my painting.I have around sixty to finish.

I got out my copy of "Vanished Armies by A Haswell Miller for inspiration for painting my 42 mm figures I have hummed and hawed about. My eyes alighted on a private from German Infantry Regt No 45,guard order seen by Miller in Salzburg.

I have made him part of the regiment's bicycle section-

The folded bicycle ,carried on the back,is a bookmark//paper clip folded in half.I feel it looks a little big for 42mm figures ( possibly better suited to 54mm) but I think I just about get away with it.I think this plucky Austro -Hungarian toy soldier has style anyway.What do you think?

Something old ,something new...

A bit of a mixed day today.Something old- I am nearing completion of some 25mm Admin Celts ( wonderful characterful figures that Garrison /SKT used to have in production) which are the sort of figures you either love or hate.I love them.Pictures soon I hope.
Something new-

I have begun this novel today and I am really enjoying it very much indeed.
Something blue-the beautiful Gentian flowering in a pot in the garden outside,certainly one of my favourite alpines.

Lead Mountain conquered...

Just a short note to say we handed in a ton of  unpainted 15mm and 28mm figures to the Stockbridge Cancer Research shop in Edinburgh today if anyone is interested...
Figures are-15mm napoleonics,fantasy ,Western Sudanese & Turaeg
28mm,Republican Romans,Sassanids,medievals etc...
I  can't remember the rest...

Volare-Cantare Bersaglieri

Finished off the recruits that Matt kindly sent for the Duchy of Volare-Cantare-

                                                                     The Bersaglieri 

They are running up the foothills of the Volare Alps in their role as light infantry. Being the elite unit of the Ducal forces they wear their traditional uniform and are unwilling to wear more fitting camouflaged kit for the 1930s.
I really enjoyed painting them and adding the plume in tissue paper and glue.

Opponents for the Duchy of Volare-Cantare

I've been to the doctor again today and am signed off for another three weeks.
Trying to rest,support Jan and the family whilst moving a few light hobby projects forward.
The army of Volare-Cantare is mustering but I need to wait for their arrival.In the meantime I am mustering the opposition. I am still swithering about them.I am not so sure now about the Grantian regiments,feeling I am intruding a little upon another's creation.I am now moving towards some Reichsarmee(based upon that of the mid 18th Century)set up with different contingents for my units.Regimental flags will be used laid upon the vehicles for air recognition. I will use the Swabian Circle as I think as it represents best where my ancestors came from supplemented as and when needed.
I have painted some troops as below-

Organised as in "Battle! Practical Wargaming"they come with their transport.
I have also looked out the minitanks.Heavy tanks will be from curaisser regts,medium tanks from dragoon regts and light cavalry will beome armoured cars and/or recon units.here they are-

4 Konigtigers,3 panthers,6 panzer  ivs,3 panzerspahwagens and 2 half tracks.

Not fogetting some armoured cars too!
All in all the basis of an interesting tactical force.I have started on some infantry too which will be on foot as opposed to mechanised. I am tempted to get some bicycle/m/c combos too but need to explore the possibilities model wise.

Re Is it me post...for Phil

I am rather surprised and hurt by a comment left at the above post.So I have copied my reply here-
Phil
Read my post properly.Respect my lack of names being mentioned.I did not say "THE BOOK" was a set of rules nor thin!Who is questioning values?
A rather misplaced comment from you Phil,hurtful and undeserved.At least the other comment makers remained polite as with the tone of my post! Perhaps i have gone against the flow and been shot down for it...

Inspiration for the Duchy of Volare-Cantare's forces...

       

I found this video of bicycle troops this morning and thought you might enjoy it too.