Update

Currently coming to the end (hopefully) of four days fighting a flu-like coldy thingie. The first two were awful as I was in work. Yesterday the I self prescribed a little light painting with T.M.S in the garden and today I will do little . Earlier in the week I based some Elastolin 40mm figures from my childhood and made a wee start on some 40mm Doug Miller peasant wars figures-

I thought explore how the Peasants Wars might impact on Tradgardland...

Whilst the West Indies made an amazing comeback yesterday I tried to paint some 16th century houses using breakfast biscuit boxes and a crisp tube-

On a totally different matter I got this really interesting book-

Defend Dunfermline

Went to see the Defend Dunfermline event in Dunfermline today-

Vehicles on display

Wargames including one based upon a ww2 map showing projected defence positions of Home Guard and locally stationed Polish troops. The game imagined German paratroops had landed and the aforementioned positions were manned in defence.

Reenactors also. On again tomorrow if you fancy popping by...

A little light playtesting

Did a little light playtesting on the two fantasy portable wargame rules/amendments around currently-

Goblins and a swarm of bats go head to head with Beorn and his kin.

Ents versus a pesky giant.

Games

A visit from the Forbodian ambassador yesterday resulted in my first game of Command and Colours.

A most enjoyable game ensued and I would really like to try C&C again.

I have been re-reading this article again and hope to give it a go with some Lone Star  knights -

Charles Grant suggested 54mm Greenwood and Ball but for me the knights of my youth were either Lone Star or Britains. I have recently bought these toy knights I recall from the 1960s as my own ones have sadly gone. More are ordered including some that once were given away in Kellog's cereal .

Not out!

Firstly many thanks for your kind words and support,it really makes a difference. I am moving forward. I have taken much of your advice- a day visit to St Andrews was great, listening to Test Match Special whilst doing some gardening or painting and enjoying some books and tv. Friday saw me take my Romans across the Firth of Forth by train to try and put down a revolt by Civilis. The game was great but ended in my Romans succumbing to the combined might of Germanic tribesmen allied with revolting roman auxiliaries and cavalry.  A re match is planned. Today I cut the hedge with secateurs ( whilst telling passing neighbours that Jan had sensibly always banned me from an electric hedgetrimmer in case I cut myself) ending with me cutting a finger and going to minor injuries at the local hospital to have the cut glued and a tetanus booster given. This will put my Kingdom of Commagene figure painting on  hold for a few days. We are getting there.

Black Dog

The Black Dog has been sniffing around of late but has decided to launch himself upon me now. I know a number of you are visited by him too. Any suggestions for how to deal with him?

Ambush in the forest,Norway 1200 AD- a game played with the ancient rules from "Developing the Portable Wargame"

A forest in Norway,a patrol of knights are making their way home through the forest-

They encounter some ambushers-

The resulting battle was played using these rules-

They give a most enjoyable ancient game and like the Ronseal advert says they do exactly what it says on the tin,sorry book. Bob develops the portable wargaming rules of his last book  taking them to the ancient period and to the skies with aerial combat not to mention adding depth and interest to his already accessible system. Well worth getting hold of ,they are packed with inspiration and will add much to your gaming.