Thoughts for next year

As the Border Reiver show has past I have been turning my thoughts to what sort of game to put on for next year. I really enjoyed making the terrain boards and want to do something similar. So far I have come up with a number of options

1. Do nothing, I know some of the other club members are planning a WW2 game, but not my cup of tea

2. El Cid using the impetus rules. Just got these rules and want to really try them out this year. As for figures both Jon and myself already have a considerable collection of Christians, Moors and Andalusian, though they will all need re-basing.

3. Greeks. Always wanted to do these. I already have a very small collection that need painting up and this could be the inspiration I need. It is helped by those wonderful people at immortal miniatures bringing out those plastic hoplites.

4. ACW, possibly day2 of Gettysburg, mainly because the units that both me and Jon are collecting for a big game would provide the bulk of the forces needed. You can follow progress on my other blog . The main downside, it is a considerable terrain making task and the table would need to be 14ft x 6ft...eek!

Think I'll need to mull over this for a couple of weeks.

Border Reiver Show Pictures

Just before my cameras batteries decided to pack up I did manage to get a few pictures of the Viking game we put on at the show. The game was well received by the public and we received a number of nice comments, which is very pleasing and a bit of a reward for all the effort Jon, harry and myself put into the game. The 2 longships and the construction of the terrain boards were common topics of discussion.

Layout of the game

The Saxon Village

Viking raiders launch their attack

Saxons move to block the viking advance

Saxon relief force begins to arrive


Vikings try their hand at shepherding

The vikings making their way towards the riches in the Church.

As for the show itself, it seemed to be well supported by both traders and public. There were a variety of games on show, Project X, 15mm Sci-fi. Medieval, ECW and a Sherlock Holmes game in the sewers of London (very nice terrain).

Boards pt3

First up a couple of photos of the terrain boards laid out just to ensure they match up correctly and make any necessary adjustments.



Jon and I gave the boards a base coat of chocolate brown mixed with PVA glue and sand, kindly prepared by Harry. I have also given the sea a coat of gloss velvet blue, which as drying seems to be okay, probably need a second coat. I'll add in some white to represent the waves against the coast.

The paths have been marked in ready for its next coat. Through the week Harry will dry brush the boards before giving the designated grass areas a good coat of Woodland green, mixed with PVA and sand. A couple of photos to show progress so far.

I've still got the jetty to do, using a piece from TSS, as well as a footbridge, which I'll construct from balsa.

Boards pt2

Couple more photos of the work in progress on the terrain boards. Both Jon and myself finished off sculpting the last 4 boards. They now just need to dry out and we can then start flocking and painting. Jon has the good fortune of a trip to B&Q to obtain the green and yellow paint.

The four boards already sculpted just frying out.

Two of the boards we were working on for the headland, weighted down with wood as they dry.

On a different note, this weekend I have the pleasure of going up to Micks for a weekend re fight of Blenheim, really looking forward to this. Will post some pictures on my return.

Boards

Made a start today on the boards. I've ended up using ceiling tiles. the main issue with these that when you lay flat 4 tiles they fall just short of covering the boards, bit of patch work war required. So far I managed to glue the tiles to 4 of the boards. These cover the central part of the table. I'll give these a couple of days t dry properly and make a start on the remaining 4 boards.