Journeying...

Just a short note to say I will be having a short break from the Duchy at present. Fear not,Gentle Reader,all is well with the Duke and his Household's health but there is indeed a need within me for a "period holiday" online at least...
My notional Luggage is ready, the coach awaits, I wish you all well until I return!

Doldrums etc

I have got up and find myself in the Doldrums- listless,lacking in energy and hoping the winds of inspiration will blow soon. Perhaps the black dog is maybe sniffing around too... However I ,whilst unable to do anything constructive,have been musing upon old school ancients,nostalgia for the Toy Tub wargames shop in Edinburgh of my youth where my first lead figs came from, Roman Client Kingdoms,I Claudius ,opponents for my EIR and ancient city state imaginations based in the East ruled by priests of the sun... P.S email from Dave Ryan of Caliver esp for Bluebear Jeff- Thanks for the comment. I am certain that the last severeal times they were re-issued they were called MYTHICAL EARTH, which is the title Alan used when he e-mailed me.;or just renamed and put in a generic fantasy rangeN, I have no intention of calling them Lord of the Rings or MIddle Earth! CheersDave

Sun it Rises...

Firstly some news from yesterday's post-Tidders I contacted Dave Ryan as you suggested -. He said, when asked if he would be making the old ME figures again -"When we find the masters moulds yes!"and also-"you might also mention that we have just released some 25mm Peninsular napoleonics- the first new 25mm Minifigs in 20 odd years!" I have contacted Mr Ryan over the over the years to buy from his marvellous emporium at Caliver Books. he is always friendly , helpful and provides a great service...

I don't know about you about some of my favourite items and therefore best purchases of books and music over the years have been bought as bargains or 2nd hand.Yesterday was indeed another example a brand new CD and EP both for £1 ! I had heard some of their songs before but I have been bowled over by their music since I bought it yesterday- I refer to the Fleet Foxes. Do give yourself a treat and listen to what they themselves describe as " Baroque harmonic pop jams!"

Spent yesterday in the garden planting potatoes, gardening generally,enjoying the sun,reading a reenactment magazine and making myriad hobby plans.The sun is up for what looks like another glorious day here in the Duchy of Tradgardland...

Hols at last and diverse matters...

Here I am feeling a tad like the battered old Minifig- more about his kindred anon and hoping that I will be more like the splendid chap in the painting in a day or two!Dear Reader read on...

Finished for Easter hols yesterday. I had found myself in that vile overtired place where I just couldn't stop- hardly sleeping, rising at 4.45 am and teaching all day then parent's evenings and being home by 7.30-8pm! I hope that I can stop this cycle- have started quite well with a lie in until 6.50am today - excellent for me I might add. Fluey/cold is going too thankfully! I have lain out the 40 mm Tradgardlanders once more and intend to get down to business today- the arms race had restarted Mr Olley!

Yesterday afternoon on my return from school amidst frenetic gardening and tea making I rummaged in the garage ( much easier now the Guinea Pigs have moved out from their winter quarters. By the by my daughter gets annoyed when I wind her up by calling them Skaven- actually Petal and Pumpkin are really cute..) and came accross an excellent 40mm Elastolin mortar ( really fires too) which the Duchy will field and some 40mm Elastolin which I am tempted to field too. I must try and see what full round Elastolin look with Prince August- have any of you tried it on the table top?

There I was the other day whilst reading blogs linked to Emperor v Elector I came upon "The Sharp end of the Brush" - a super place indeed. The pictures I saw there transported me right back to school days circa latish 1970's and the games we played with Minifigs Mythical earth range.... I was transported in my mind to games played set in middle Earth . The photos included one of my favourites- the giant!Sadly my figures are long since lost. I would dearly like to try what painting skills I have aquired over the years ( little I assure you) on such ME figures.Does anyone know who has the moulds and if the figs are available? I fear that I could be tempted to buy some to have a go ,dig out my copy of South EastScotland Wargames Club rules for the period from the loft and go for it..,Can any of you point me in the right direction?

Off to get more coffee and sort out the paint pots- have a great day whatever you are doing!

The arms race...

The current arms race between the Duchy of Tradgardland and the Electorate of Teutonburg-Fredonia is on hold here due to a nasty fluey cold. Sadly I felt the need to drag myself into work today however. Normal wargaming service will be resumed asap...

Tradgardland 1730 gets even bigger...

Well it has been a busy day which began withe the paintbrush out,continued at Ikea and proceeded by visiting my mother en famile... Just enough energy left to let you know that the Army of the Duchy of Tradgardland of 1730 will be depicted in 40mm using Prince August moulds and home casting. Two regiments already cast and on the painting tray. More tomorrow including Muster Rolls from the Duchy and my reconstruction of the Duchy's Order of Battle from archival sources.

To tread upon the field of Mars once more ...

The Duchy of Tradgardland 1730...

Duke Georg finally left the Council Chamber,the debate had lasted until dawn, he could hardly comprehend that a state of war now existed betwixt the Duchy of Tradgardland and The Elector of Teutonburg Fredonia...

Wearily he lay down on his bed and tried to let sleep overcome him to no avail. He therefore dressed once more , sent for food to break his fast and arranged with his private secretary to meet with his staff directly...