By now I had hoped to have had some painting finished and possibly even an AAR too, but I caught a bad cold off our son last week that has really hit me for six. Man flu maybe, but this is the worst I've felt since having Covid some 5 years ago! So to try and keep the old grey cells active whilst the body tries to recover, I thought I'd jot a few things down.
Mojo
Well my interest in trying to get a game or two in and some painting done has certainly returned since my last post. First off I really need to sort out my painting desk and games room, as it's full of partially painted AFV's that I will most likely park until the Autumn. Then I can turn my attention to either my MDF armies or some ImagiNations 19thC figures.
So far I've drafted up a couple of scenarios to play, which I'm looking forward to getting onto the table soon. The first is a BKCII one inspired by my recent read of the Malta book and the planned invasion circa 1942 by the Axis powers. Given there was no actual invasion, I'm quite at liberty to cobble together something that has a passing resemblance to what have occured, which of course allows me to field some of my favourite 'toys' such as Early War Italian AFV's.
The second is another OHW scenario that I was originally going to play using HoW and my MDF armies. But then whilst watching a tv series on Netflix (see below) I fancied giving it a go with Rebels & Patriots, using my 19thC ImagiNations forces and possibly the start of another Das Wiener Schnitzel Krieg mini-campaign. Once said tidy up has been completed, I can double check what I have painted so that I can decide upon the forces for both sides.
Inspiration
With the old noggin rather full of cotton wool due to the cold, I've spend more time than usual watching tv. I'd bookmarked 'TURN: Washington's Spies' on Netflix some time ago and actually sat down to watch it a few days ago. Whilst a tad predictable and with the almost customary evil British officer, I did enjoy it and it is certainly visually very impressive. So this got me thinking to using R&P's as outlined above for some games, even dabbling with the thought of making a start on a small AWI project. Luckily for me reason got the better of me and for the moment, I would concentrate on using my existing painted forces, but maybe come back to this another time.
My good friend Keith Flint has just posted an update on his trip down memory lane making and painting Airfix kits, which can be found here. This really did take me back to the late 1960's and early 1970's, when we used to pour over the Airfix catalogue, dreaming of being able to buy some of those kits. Seeing what Keith has been doing has piqued my interest in buying some of those kits from my youth, as a pure blast of nostalgia. When I might find the time to make them, talk less of where I might store or display them, is another matter entirely!
Reading
Despite my cotton wool head, I have been really enjoying reading Thomas Asbridge's 'The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land'. Extremely well written, it makes me realise how little I actually know about this 'period'. What is good is that he also shows the view from the Muslim side too. Not a period I'm ever likely to game, as my interest is more in the Baltic Crusades, but still very informative.
Partizan Show
I was unsure about whether to attend this year or not, but in the end decided that I would enjoy the day out of the house, alongside of the general vibe and inspiration that the show brings. It is a long day out for me, but this year I'm going to try and take my time wandering about and taking in all the games, rather than just whizzing around as I normally do.
An added bonus will be that I'm meeting David Morfitt of Not By Appointment Blog fame, and giving him a lift to the show. It's always nice to meet other Bloggers in person and of course chew the cud for part of the journey. The social aspect of the show is always important for me and for many others too.
So if you are going to the show, I will be wearing a bright orange hoodie, so will be hard to miss on the day, making it easy (famous last words) to spot me if you fancy a chat, or to avoid me as well;)!
I think that's it for the moment, As always thanks for reading and any comments are greatly appreciated!
TTFN.
Sorry to hear you have had a rotten cold, Steve. I hope it's completely gone by the weekend; it will be great to meet up and to see the show! Thanks again for the offer of the lift. I commented on Keith Flint's post; a real concentrated burst of 60s nostalgia there for many of us! And the Crusades have always had a fascination for me, although the appalling brutality of the period is, to say the least, a bit offputting.
ReplyDeleteThanks David and fingers crossed it has almost gone now, despite still feeling rough this morning. Good it's out of the way before Partizan though:)! Your comment on planes hanging from the ceiling brought back memories, as I think I tried this in my small bedroom, but it's so long ago I can't be sure. The Crusades is one of those periods that you touch upon at school and in passing within wargaming, but the detail has passed me by. Like many conflicts we game, one has to put to one side the awful nature of the outcomes of battles, such as Okinawa which I just recently finished reading.
DeleteGlad to hear that, Steve. It sounds as if plenty of energy is needed to navigate round the show! For me too planes hanging from the ceiling of my bedroom is a very far distant memory - it must be getting on for at least 55 years now. The Crusades have been very well covered in many good books in recent years; one I read recently is The Crusader Armies by Steve Tibble and I found it very informative. He is a disciple of Smail who wrote a still useful account of Crusading Warfare back in the 1950s. It's true as wargamers that we have to remember we are playing a game version of the horrible reality of war; but I do find I draw the line on occasion. For instance, I couldn't contemplate fighting ancient battles involving elephants! Ideally my wargaming would not involve animals at all, which puts me in a quandary as I don't much like armies after 1881 or so (not much in the way of flags and heraldry and colour after that!). And of course that means a lot of horses are involved... At least no real horses are at risk in our games. ;-)
DeleteEnjoy Partizan and your commute with David.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon:)!
DeleteHope the cold recovers and will look out for the orange hoody 👍
ReplyDeleteGetting to the end of it now, fingers crossed, and hope to see you at the show:).
DeleteI’ve noticed an increase in coughs and sneezes around here the past couple of days and of course the bloke behind me on the train yesterday was full of it ….. so i shall wait patiently for my turn to fall ill! :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you are on the mend. Will pop over to Keith’s now for a nostalgia blast. Enjoy Partizan.
It seems to be doing the rounds at my wife's school, but she got away with just a 24 hour cold as it were. On the mend slowly, but our son is still sniffling away one week on:(. Looking forward to the show and even managed to get back to the painting desk last night:)!
DeleteGlad to hear you are on the mend, enjoy Partizan and if you ever need more MDF figures I have a load that I will never do anything with, you are welcome to them if you need them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie! The recovery is rather slow and very boring, but as mentioned to Norm above, I felt OK and motivated to do some painting yesterday. Thanks for the offer re: the figures, but I too have got more than I can ever actually use!
DeleteNo worries Steve, they are sitting in a drawer and I can't see myself ever doing anything with them, such is the life of a wargamer!!
DeleteIndeed it is Donnie! Maybe some of my Followers might be interested in them?
DeleteGood to hear you are recovering, Steve.
ReplyDeleteThe Asbridge is essential reading and was the must read book when I taught the Crusades at A level.
Getting better each day, but having bronchial asthma means if it gets to my chest, as this did, it takes longer to get over it. Nearly there! I'm loving the Asbridge book as it gives a great overview, with just the right amount of detail. I've learnt so much already, which is of course a good thing:)!
DeleteI trust you’re continuing to be “on the mend” Steve. Sadly, as we get older, it takes longer to shake off illnesses ☹️ That’s life I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been to Israel a couple of times and visited & photographed a fair few castles. The Crusades period is quite fascinating, albeit there was a heck of a lot of bloodshed.
I’m also hoping to attend Partizan, but it’s dependent on whether my daughters new car is delivered or not. Apparently it will be delivered “early May” but somehow that might not be by Saturday 16th. I’m no mathematician, but I’m not sure there’s much basic understanding going on here - especially as the old car is to be returned Friday 15th. Plus my wife says she needs our car as it’s her mothers birthday. I would’ve said “inconsiderate” but perhaps marital harmony should prevail 😉
Cheers,
Geoff
Normally I'm a 24 hours cold person and then I'm fine, but this has certainly caught me fair and square for once:(. I might see if the documentary he did on The Crusades is on iplayer, so I can get a good feel of the terrain etc. Fingers crossed on seeing you at Partizan Geoff, as we missed each other some years ago IIRC.
DeleteBest wishes that the recovery continues (never fun, feeling muzzy in the head)…and great idea giving a lift to Partizan. Nice touch, helping out a fellow blogger!
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Thanks Martin and I'm looking forward to meeting David and having a good chin wag en route:).
DeleteGlad you are recovering from the lurgi, and hopefully Partizan will be a further boost to your motivation. I am hoping to be there too, and will look out for your orange hoodie! ( and possibly say hello to David M too, and thank him for his flags.. )
ReplyDeleteThe recovery is slow, but at least I'm feeling fine and the head is clear. Fingers crossed I should be back to normal by Partizan! At least I've got some painting mojo back, having finished a load of MDF units these past few days. Would be good to meet you:).
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