My Perfect Holiday - 2023!

My perfect holiday. I shall first set the scene (see below, I gathered around me the vital ingredients of relaxation while the family go out to see Barbie, 'sadly' I could not go as I had to stay and watch the dog - as we could not leave him alone in the chalet, although he mostly watched me while curled up on the sofa):

The Last Hundred Yards is my summer tactical WWII infantry project. Next, when you look around you,  you find you are in the middle of a battle site, albeit a Medieval one you know almost nothing about, Tewkesbury - War of the Roses, classic Kingmaker [Avalon Hill original if you have it or the new revamped game, with excellent reviews] (see below, I had to buy a reference book - I do remember a reference from Simon Schama and the History of Britain): 

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tewkesbury-Paperback/p/828

Trying not to look at the price as it is currently on a "special offer" - cheaper online than where I got it from, but it was a holiday treat! The banners that adorn Tewkesbury were a real treat! Inspiration strikes as I do have some 28mm Perry and 'other' figures in the loft, to paint up now! Or is this really befitting of a new 10mm project .. question left unanswered! Oh, and I did managed to catch the second day of teh Battle of Evesham (really medieval 1265, Second Baron's War - a Henry III and Simon de Montford). Hats off to the re-enactors who braved and endured the inclement weather. 

Gone to the Wall .. Hadrian's that is ;)

Back from a family holiday up North to "The Wall" (but not that of Game of Thrones ilk with the army of the dead behind it) but the one that Uncle Hadrian built to keep the Pict tribes out (see below):

Don't let those smiling faces in the sunshine on the cover deceive you, at Birdoswald it was blooming cold and by the staff's confession not unusually so! I pity the Numidian auxiliary that got posted here! However I am pleased to report that it has stirred my blood to get back to painting that 28mm Warlord Games Imperial Roman Army starter set (plus the metal extras I bought, shush!). I also have a host of Roman history books to read. To remind me of this 'pledge to Rome' I bought a "cup" in the English Heritage sale (see below):

Amongst my holiday travels in Keswick I found a toy shop having a sale. I managed to pick this little GW Sci-Fi item up for £9.(see below, it was 'almost cheap' at half the recommended retail price):

I have always wanted to beef up the Space Marines on Space Crusade so an Ultra Marine Terminator (I knew I was going to get one someday) comes in handy. (See below, an 'old school' model, the skull with a bullet hole through it for the 'base' was a nice touch though): 

The Marine on Bike is just table dressing or paper weight as I don't do the full 40K tabletop thing, opting for more atmospheric 'deep space' Space Crusade RPG narrative! (see below, and the brush and paints were a bonus - the wife is amazed how I can sniff these shops out! Although the words "amazed" might be replaced by a more harsher alternative phrase):

There were some more 'sensible' items in the sale, so I picked up some 'modern' German Paratroopers and British Infantry (20mm) for five quid each. These will be perfect for my Modern Chain of Command games planned (see below):

Fun for the future!