A Sandbox

A busy few weeks in our house, end of term, end of my job and the start of another (in September) and a holiday to Northumberland.  the Shop Inn at Low Newton. Fewer finer places to combine a paddle and a pint.  Back now and ready to pick up the brushes. Took a trip to Hobbycraft the other week but no Warboss Green was to be had so Humbrol Grass Green has had to step in for my 80s-inspired 'Eavy Metal Goblin Green basing convention.  First job was to finally finish the Royal Pologne cavalry regiment to add to the strength for my 7YW French army.  Tonight I shall be finishing an Airfix Cromwell...

the hot weather, the busy summer term, a job interview for a new school, the endless distractions of the World Cup and not being able to attend Joy of Six has meant that the hobby has taken very much of a back seat over the past 6 weeks or so.  However, it is now the holidays. The first weekend is one of calm reflection in this household, so telling stock and bringing order to this sorry state of affairs is the order of the day. 

Half term and with the unfortunate postponement of the CWC game at The Unit- a speedy recovery and get well to  Richard Phillips  - my gaming/painting urge has taken a backseat to enjoying the unseasonably hot weather.  Hilbre Islands from West Kirby earlier this week  So evenings have seen me mostly outside, reading and enjoying some nice beers rather than painting. I plan on doing some work on some French cavalry tonight though- the Royal Pologne regiment, to be precise, whilst watching Springwatch. Then I'll have a beer outside. It's not a bad life.  The trip over the Pennines earlier this week also allowed me and the Boy to visit  Western Approaches  which has been on my to do list for a while, especially after seeing some videos on YouTube  Lindy Beige  in particular, doing an interesting one about the WATU, schooling officers in ASW tactics through wargaming. What's not to like? Plus being underground on a boilin...

A quiet half term day and so, sheltering from the pitiless heat of a nice day, me and my lad sat down and played this, the Airfix Battles game, pitched as an introductory game.  As a player of about 40 years experience, I walked us through the rules, it being his first experience of a game and sequence of play. He took to it quite well actually, grasped the concept of command and control, rallied his squad when necessary and beat me quite handily. Hopefully we'll get to play a few more games and maybe we'll have a new generation of players in the hobby. He's already enjoying making and painting Airfix kits. 

My main purchase was this collection of 3D printed Marines 'inspired' by the classic LE2 Space Marine figure. These 2 are WIP, one will be a Blood Angel, the second will be an Imperial Fist. I haven't decided on what the other 3 figures will be, but they will be First Founding chapters and 2 of them should be Traitor chapters, pre-Heresy. So perhaps Warhounds, pre- World Eaters? Or a Luna Wolf?  Hobbywise, I realise I've got to the end of a 2 week break and haven't played a game. My Dos Amos campaign is still very much in my thoughts and I'll get it back up and running. The family are planning a trip to the East Coast for the May bank holiday weekend with some family friends, which will leave me at home with DIY tasks but also the opportunity to get a game set up. Watch this space.  a lovely walk yesterday around Damflask and Bradfield. I was taking note of just how full a forest floor is IRL. Fallen tree trunks, shrubs, bushes, leaf litt...

I'd been looking forward to this and it didn't disappoint. Plenty of Oldhammer vibes, some great-looking games and enthusiastic hosts. Not being a 28mm sci fi gamer these days, the vendors didn't have too much to offer me, but I could see there was a good variety of old and new ranges.  a great little goody bag for the first 75 attendees. The figures will make a nice diversion from 6mm stuff.  One of the bigger games was a multiplayer, GM-led game set in a scavvy, Necromunda-style settlement called Far Corfe, with various factions (including some Gundam mechs) fighting it out for resources.  a classic Genestealer cult limousine!  I was very taken with the Ork glyphs on this battlewagon.  am armoured 'stealer APC.  a game of 40k between Eldar, arriving through a web way gate against a Khornate horde.  this game looked great and must have pleased the Blood God, judging by...