The Summer of '76

As we've just broken the June temperature record that was set in the legendary 'Summer of '76' (and will probably do so again today), my addled brain due to the heat couldn't come up with a better post title, so just went with this! The last time I felt this hot was when I lived in Nigeria, but I was in my late 20's then, was lean and fit and would play cricket, football etc in hotter temperatures than this, but barely notice it, due to being acclimatised to the conditions. So unable to do anything other than survive the heat at present, I thought I'd do a bit of a catch up post to try and keep my mind off the heat. 

The AVBCW

The recent small game I played featuring 'Brenda From Bristol' rekindled some painting enthusiasm for the 'conflict', as I really fancy do another mini-Campaign set in and around Bristol. To this end I selected my pseudo-Home Guard Company to paint, as well as a sort of Naval Company that was intended to operate alongside my Armoured Canal Boat. As with so many of my projects, they've sat there in their box for years, only to see the light of day and then the current heatwave heat, which has stopped play as it were. I did try some painting yesterday, but aside from the paint drying on the brush, it was too hard to summon up the energy to concentrate, so gave up after some block colours. Hopefully with the weather due to break in the next day or so to more bearable temperatures, I can get back to these and finish them next week.

I also dug out some SCW figures in foul weather gear, after having the idea to clad them in bright orange Kagoules (shades of the '70's again) or a sort of Sou'wester cape, to make them stand out on the table top, for something a bit different. They will be in a mainly Mounted Infantry role, or that's the current thinking. I'm also tempted by some Indian Lancers, again for something a bit different and exotic. As always plenty of ideas!

It's All Greek To Me

In the past I've really enjoyed dabbling in some Greece 1940/41 games, but having seen Matt's Greek Game , I really fancy cobbling together a small Greek Battalion. Now whilst Pendraken don't do WWII Greeks, in 10mm their WWII Italians and WWI British could easily pass as Greek troops once at arms length. The former will be used for the elite Evzones and the latter for standard troops that were equipped with British helmets and uniforms.

A bit of background reading to refresh my memory is required, hence my taking this out from the bookcase yesterday. Previous games have focused on the Littoral part of the Italian invasion, so I imagine this will continue forward. However for later games of course they can be used in more mountainous terrain, alongside the British and ANZAC troops. 

1945

My knowledge of the Far East campaign is limited compared to that of NWE or the Eastern Front, especially when it comes to the end of the War. So when I saw this book last year, I ear marked it to get once it came out in paperback, which I was able to do as a Father's Day present. A cracking read so far and highly recommended to anyone with an interest in WWII and the Far East.

Zulu

With the heat stopping play across the board, I settled down to wallow in pure cinematic entertainment watching this film, which I never tire of seeing. An absolute classic!

What Next?

Once the heat breaks, I do hope to get the units mentioned above painted if at all possible, as I have a rather busy week coming up. Once done then I might sit down an flesh out ideas I have for a narrative AVBCW campaign, featuring either 'Brenda' or the 'Bristol Bocage', if I can get that painted in time.

A possible wargame at the MoD Defence Academy, Shrivenham is on the cards, which should be fun, with a tour of the site included. Dates and diaries are still being checked, but i'm hopeful we can meet up in the next few weeks.

As always, thanks for reading and any comments greatly appreciated! Right off to have a choc ice...

TTFN.