Here are the latest troops for the Duchy of Tradgardland 1790 project- Skogjegerregimentet which means the Forest Hunters Regiment. They are commanded by Captain Noyaktig and Lieutenant Rask. Here we see them training in mountainous terrain amidst the forest. Rifle armed and recruited from professional hunters they are a force to be reckoned with.
Spent much of today and yesterday evening working on 28mm ECW Scots. My regular opponent has got his New Model Army ( Essex miniatures from way back) out and is considering buying Royalist opponents. I thought l would get in on the act with what I can find of my Scots , supplemented by new Warlord Figures. I hadn’t made up the Warlord plastics before and found them not too difficult to put together using plastic kit glue. They blend in well with my old figures, of which there are more somewhere in the shed but goodness alone knows where. I listened to the Stalingrad episodes of “We have ways of making you talk” much of the time. The day has flown by . Here are a few work in progress shots-
I’ve always liked grenzers. I read Rothenberg’s “ Military border in Croatia “ from the Uni library as a student and that increased my interest. They have cool uniforms, a bit of dash about them and interesting weapons such as double barrelled muskets rifles and spear musket rests! What’s not to like? So it is not surprising that I raised a unit for the 1790 vanity project, here are three stout fellows-
Who can resist the read cloaks , cool hats and muskett rest spears?
I have been wondering how much use the spiky rest would be in combat? Might deter cavalry perhaps but could be a liability ? I always imagine they threw them away or “ forgot” to take them with them. Anyone tell me more or even supply me with a period quote about the use of spike musket rests in combat?
I’ve been out and about these last couple of days. Yesterday l travelled to Glasgow to meet my first born for lunch on her birthday. En route to the Single End. https://thesingl-end.co.uk/ she pointed these out to me-
I do like a good mural and these were some of the best I had seen in ages.
This morning l took a spur of the moment trip to Stirling. A wee wander about ensued including a visit to the excellent Oxfam bookshop. I also saw this fascinating building. Can anyone explain the symbols and text on it-
Based these North Tradgardland ski troops this afternoon. North Tradgardland has Norwegian vibes about it. These ski troops are light infantry and some will pull a light gun on a sledge as artillery support.
On the 21st January Ronnie and l went to a day of lectures set up by the Falkirk Battlefield Trust. It was a fascinating day. Here are the photos with brief comments-
All in all much to think about. The tartan expert said red was the status colour of the period to which folk aspired. In battle the Jacobite front rank gentlemen would be in red tartan, the middling sort in say blue/yellow tartan and the back rank fellows in muted tartan. A thought for painters perhaps? One speaker talked of clan pipers giving their pipes to their ghillie and then drawing their swords to get stuck in. Again new info to me. Finally one speaker reminded us of the fact Bonnie Prince Charlie’s grandfather was John Sobieski who delivered Vienna from the Ottomans. He mused upon the fact this might account for BPC’s personal courage…
In other matters I am enthralled by BBC 1 “ Happy Valley “ with its great characters, enjoying “Wednesday “ which is a fun filled romp and fascinated by “ Andor” which I initially was sure of but am completely absorbed. There is so much world building, fascinating asides and a great plot in it. The gritty everyday life is created with such detail not to mention customs , it is soo good!
Not much happening on the hobby front here in the Duchy. I developed a UTI which has left me feeling like doing very little at all.. Medication is helping but I am on such a variety of tablets and powders that l feel a tad nauseous much of the time.. Hobby projects surround me but I have little or no desire to do anything like that.
I have however been enjoying Patrick O’Brian on Audible , Father Brown ( played by Andrew Sacs) on BBC Sounds as well as the podcasts Zero Ducks Given and Off Menu.
I have been, as ever, captivated by the birds that come to the garden. During the first Lockdown they became important for me and the interest hasn’t waned since. It is the big garden bird watch this weekend and not too late to sign up-
https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/
Hopefully some hobby news next time…
