Musings of a Fool

 

 I have not blogged regularly since 2022, Covid-19 and other things have either sucked away my time and motivation, as well as children growing into teenagers.  Travel and a heavy workload took its toll, as well as purchasing a 100-year-old property to renovate last year.

 Painting has been erratic, with bouts of heavy work and then nothing for months at a time. Gaming-wise, I think I have played 2-3 games a year, mostly 28mm Napoleonic and a single 15mm ACW game. My house has taken a lot of time, though a year in now so I know what needs doing. A developer could easily bowl it and make 5 shitty apartments, but where is the adventure in that.

 I've always enjoyed the painting side of the hobby in truth, I have armies painted that have never seen a game. Too many armies and gears to be honest, as at times the hobby has been an unhealthy one, as it was always easy to buy and paint and ignore the real world. Also having around 20+ projects has not helped, so slowly I am reducing my stocks. I have enjoyed the games over the last few years; I am lucky to have a good group of like-minded players. I did branch out a good few years ago to try new things but found I didn't have time or simply got tired of games being used by players to yell about their latest political or social "expose".

  Over time I have a found a good balance, while PC games can be fun, I'd rather paint, and then mixed with regular life a good way to unwind. I traditionally used to paint as a teen while watching cricket on free TV, not days everything needs a subscription and cash, so I simply listen\watch YouTube.

 Some highlights.

 A 28mm Spanish 1812 army was slowly built, packed with religious undertones. 

 

My lord the eyes on that fellow, he must have been on the holy wine the night before.

A visit to Singapore and their museum, with a replica Type 95 Ha-Go, used in the series "Pacific.

A visit to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

An exciting Valour and Fortitude game using Warlord Epic battles

 

An exciting adventure under the floor of my house, where the 37cm crawl space allowed me to insulate under a floor. As part of this I stapled the insulation to my finger, hilarity ensued, who needs finger nails anyway. I replaced the floor of the lounge, 100 year old Native Rimu was past its sell by date and I also needed to evict the borer. Only 3 more room floors to go ! Then the walls.

 

 

 Lead paint removal, gib linings, insulation, rewire, house leveling. Why did I do this again ?

Battle of Wavre Refight

 

Looking for a big game, we decided to re-fight Wavre in 28mmm, but with Grouchy starting earlier then expected. The game had around 80 Infantry units, 16 Cav and a 18 batteries, on a large table with 6 players. A fun affair, with the French pushing the Prussians as they did historically but not enough to take the position. 

I felt the French had just done enough, but not enough to stop the result up the road.

Luck and Kampfen prepare to defend Wavre Town

French assaults about to begin.

Gerard streams past Limale to assault Bierges from the west.

 

Testing Rules for refights

 

 I will be planning a variety of re-fights over the next year or so, with a target of a very large game. As such, the topic of rules always comes up, so my trusty companions and I will play test some rules over the next few months.

Today was Black Powder, a rule set I have used a few times before in a lot of periods. Some pics from the game below, French defending a crossroads from an Allied attack.

 

 

 

  

 

A French Victory as the Allies ran out of steam at a crucial time and with some excellent dice rolling.

Finally some action on the painting desk

Its been a real grind to get these 28mm WSS figures done over the last week. I have had the time but not the motivation to complete them but as of last night they are now based and just need to final finish and flocking.

So Barry's unit is almost complete and then I can finish the Spanish. Warlord Games have also advised the WSS figures will be back in production soon so I plan to get three more boxes for the French troops I need and that should round off the force quite nicely.


I also picked up some Mantic Elf Cavalry to be the mounted aspect of my Elven army (90% unpainted as per usual). I really like the horse but the rider is less pleasing to the eye.

Fluro Trees

Some years ago I found a rather cheap source of trees from China, so in true form I purchased a number of them. In hindsight they are cheap and BRIGHT, especially the fruit trees but they are slowly growing on me  .........over time. I need to base them up, as I need trees so I was thinking maybe spraying them with a little dark green to tone them down.

Speaking of bright colours - I am also pottering around with my old Minifig Guard units. I recently picked uo some spare figures to replace some losses and recently painted them up. However, the close up photo has me hissing as they look rough at guts. Lovely colours though, I really like the blue, green and reds I use these days (Vallejo and Citadel).

I did think of replacing them with new plastics but considering my army is made up of Hinchcliffe, Hotspur, Front Rank, Perry and Redoubt then I guess they fit in well enough ! Looking at the closeups I am amazed at some of the horrid lines and blotches, though I have started wearing glasses for driving I wonder if I need them for every day things (Or just better light).