Response to MofT’s By the sward divided post…

 I left this comment ( awaiting moderation) on Man of Tin blogpost below-

https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2023/10/08/by-the-sward-divided-garden-wargaming-future-past-and-present-and-john-ruddle-rip/

“Enjoyable post Mark. I did get a game on the small rockery earlier this year by cheating using 54mm figures mounted in groups on see through acrylic bases. Thus the bases don’t stand out on grass , alpine grit or even on indoor playing surfaces. The ww1 Bovington tanks really ought to get more of an outing
I miss the now out of production American garden railway magazines. The layouts were aspirational or probably more realistically unobtainable . Huge gardens and large basements were employed and I always enjoyed the wee bits of biographical details supplied. The wondrous layouts often were the product of husband and wife collaboration. In one or two magazines there were pictures of a model railway built in a retirement village for enthusiasts to work on together. I pretty sure some were built on waist high raised beds for the tracks. Such a set up for uk al fresco wargaming is something to imagine…
I do wonder if John Ruddle had been American might he have converted his whole basement into a wargaming/model railway all weather world. Kneeling on soft carpet wouldn’t be too bad to fire the cannons.
Going round garden centres and my beloved Botanics in Edinburgh ones mind travels to miniature landscapes in Alpine houses or green houses, defeating the rain stopped play vibe of British al fresco gaming. Cultivated alpines, moss and waist high benches might work. A walk way down the middle to allow access to the sides for moving figures could represent a river or lake with boats on stands ( taking them to the same height of the raised beds) moving troops the length of the alpine house . Small villages with jettys could be built on the liminal area between raised beds and walk way.
If l win the football pools who knows this might happen but incidentally l don’t do them…“

Here are some photos preceded by a link to a bit of info on American Retirement homes and model railroad- https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/230339.aspx

The photos show the gaming possibilities of alpine houses and basement layouts-

Alpine house at the Botanics in Edinburgh.

Imagine the paths as seas with ships on stands taking them to the right height for the “Land “ roundabout.

Basement laid out for model railways, imagine Hook’s farm and surrounding countryside instead…

Food for thought or rather perhaps dreaming…

Gilmerton House

 Splendid day out to my niece’s wedding yesterday-

Conversions at All Souls, Margaret Street

 The other day when rummaging in the shed I found some 1st Corps Boy Scouts . They are charming castings and I was delighted to come upon some unexpectedly. A further search found a figure for the Vicar ( Fr Lacey- Cotta) the Curate ( Fr Chantry-Prigg) and the Verger ( Mr Timmins) to be added to the Scouts as part of a Very British Civil War section from All Souls, Margaret Street.

Weapons were taken from the Wargames Atlantic WW1 British set.

I have cut off one of the Scout’s arms and replaced it with one carrying a Lewis gun from the same plastic source. I look forward to painting these up next week…

John Ruddle

 So sad to read a few minutes ago about the death of  John Ruddle  here-

https://toysoldiercollecting.blogspot.com/2023/10/john-ruddle-1932-2023.html

My copy of “ Wargames World “ featuring lots of photos of John Ruddle’s garden is still poured over by me as l continue to be enthralled by the garden world John Ruddle created. He was inspiration to many of us who held him in awe. What he created inspired so many to work away at our own hobby adventures.

I somehow missed hearing of his death , I think . Not sure how . 

Oi Oi Fontenoy and the Tradgardistan Field Force

 This book arrived yesterday. I have not had a chance to do it justice. It , on first glance , looks most interesting.

In other news, whilst listening to the cricket today, l assembled the Tradgatdistan Field Force-

                                                                         The rules…

                                                                          The setting  .

Two units of cavalry, painted by Brian C, with pin and paper lance/ pennants.

Some eBay purchased Minifigs and some modern cast Hincliffe figures including mountain gun and crew.

Another view of the cavalry below….all were finished with gloss varnish in true toy soldier style.

Next to do what little is needed to get the Pathans/Afghans on the table top…

Skins

 Yesterday saw me en route to Glasgow when I received an email saying my course had a new venue. To cut a long story short l got soaked to the skin due to the torrential rain . One good point was seeing this statue-

Read more about it here- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Neill

Due to traffic and rain and delays it took me three hours from leaving my classroom to getting home last night. A long journey…

I am currently experiencing a bad flare up of my eczema .

It is an internal barometer of my stress level . I think I am ok and then  “ Bam!” My skin lets me know otherwise. The setting up of a new website ( not by me btw) and resulting tech email problems ( involving me) are dememting  me. You volunteer for something and then it spirals, in stress terms. This coupled with a big greater family event is the cause. Apologies, rant over.

Soldiers of a King

 In light of our chat about Kings and toy soldiers I am posting these pictures l took at Rosenborg Slot in Copenhagen. In the basement of the castle is a series of strong rooms containing the Crown Jewels and other treasures. Amongst them are these gold toy soldiers made for a king’s son -

I can’t find details in books or online but I think they are late 17th or 18th century.