It was a Thursday, it was Spring, it was 1982, it was 16:00, and my mate and I decided to take a trip to Beatties, a large model shop on Pinstone Street in the heart of Sheffield. Using breathing techniques purportedly used by Zulu warriors to cross great distances of veldt at the run - you see? The school library did have its uses beyond calorie conservation and somewhere to look at pictures of unclothed females in biolology texts - we made it to Beatties in less than ten minutes. Weighed down as we were with bags full of exercise books and pockets awash with saved lunch money this was a good time, although Harvey (our passing gamer-cum-Olympic-athlete friend) who had not joined us due to the promise of being able to grope a girl in his form, before her mum & dad got home from work, would have snorted his derision and done it all again before we reached our destination.  This was the day my forays into fantasy changed direction once again, in a way that would seal my fat...

Firstly a big 'HI' to the Wednesday Night Watchers! Well, I made another nice purchase today in the shape of a 28mm Feudal army using Curtey's Miniatures castings and painted I think to a nice standard indeed. This cost me metal price plus 52p per piece which is just a little awesome... TTFN

Well, it's taken me just over two years, but at last, I do really seem to have the bug for gaming again. I've no desire however to get back into organised club gaming because frankly I don't want to lose the urge again. Last week, I purchased two armies from friend I've known for about 30 years, who is focussing more and more on 15mm WW2 and 28mm Fantasy. Accordingly, we were able to agree a mutually agreeable price for his 28mm Norman and Celtic armies, which are made up of mostly Foundry and Griping Beast models and are painted to a nice standard which stands out on the table. The Normans need their bases finishing and a number of the Celts likewise need some basing love. But they are great armies and are perfect matches for my regular opponent who has Republican Romans and Vikings. Apart from that, I've not been up to much. It's been work, work, work which whilst tiring is filling the coffers and paying for hobbies....

I have clients who, have a real vision of what a game should be... One gentleman is creating armies in a 1:1 ratio using 6mm Heroics & Ros miniatures. I literally just completed the first Panzer Grenadier battalion which has taken around 120 hours to paint and 29 to base, and I think you will agree, it's an awesome sight!

I bagged a bargain today from a rather nice chap in France. As you can see, it's a good sized Bolt Action force depicting troops from the 'Wiking' SS Division, all looking splendidly frozen as befits them. Great atmospheric models for facing my mate's Russians. And all for the reasonable sum of £160.00 I also got a rather pretty British airborne force on Friday...

We had a great day at the Yorkshire Cosplay Con Today. I finally got the opportunity to wear the custom made Death Eater costume that I've been putting together for the last couple of years. I am pleased to report that it was well received with many complimentary comments, as well as several photograph and video requests. Our daughter and son-in-law were also there with their 3 sons, all in assorted Harry Potter themed outfits. My eldest Grandson Lukas, is a dead ringer for a young Draco Malfoy and is also currently going through the 'terrible twos' and as such was showing off splendidly. Even our bribery of a Kit Kat, stuffed toy and numerous badges took time to work. Lots of really passionate people there, having a great time and some truly outstanding costumes. I was somewhat surprised to see that the 'Mad Max' lads from Sheffield didn't show as they'd have gone down really well. For a first outing, I am really satisfied with the costume. I h...

Wanted: Fully  and very well Painted Bolt Action army. In order of preference: Fallschirmjager Crete/Italy/Africa British Africa/Italy Afrika Korps Italian PM with details, pics, price Thanks

Yet again my views have tripled on Wednesday evening... Buggered if I know why...

Down the years, I’ve watched and been part of various groups of gamers, of all stripes. I was always amazed at the amount of tribal attitudes and the amount of bullies in many of those groups. The common pattern seemed to be one or two people being singled out at a given time and, either being excluded, tormented or just picked on. This might go on for a few months and then, someone else would be the target. It was always funny however that in every group a small cadre always managed to avoid the ‘treatment’, by allying themselves with the biggest, oldest or most cuttingly sarcastic  within the group. I have seen this form first perspective and externally, and what is really amazing is that in some instances, it continues into adulthood. Mark Barrowcliffe wrote a rather mundane book, but, when it came down to capturing the essence of social outcasts turning inwards to vent fury and rage, which they couldn’t hope to inflict on those whom they themselves were scared of. ...

Well, I went to bed last night, more than happy with my purchases and with sincere resolve, that I would not buy unpainted figures, unless they were 6mm. After all I can paint 50-60 a day of those which means that armies will grow pretty quickly. I was awoken at 5AM this morning by one of the pack (again) and after 5'5 hours sleep and a really disturbing dream in which my grandmother informed me I was evil and would go to hell, I was in pretty piss-poor shape this morning, when my gaming buddy arrived at 9AM for our bi-weekly gaming session. We partook of Napali style scrambled eggs and coffee, and then as my mate set up 'Iron Dragons', I checked out what was on the forums and sales groups. Well, bugger me sideways, if there wasn't a very nice Games Workshop army made up of Bloodletters of Khorne and their ilk, priced very attractively (having been reduced) at £150 - well below RRP for bare models. Not being one to hesitate when pounds can be saved, I closed a d...

Well, it's been over two years since I parted company with Sheffield Wargames Society, being named by one of the Old Guard as 'The Most Destructive Thing To Happen To SWS In 40 Years'. Quite some feat, but I think I have been surpassed this year... Anyway, I've been pretty much avoiding historical gaming for the most part. Model railroads and fantasy gaming have been foremost in my mind and heart, but now I think I fancy some historical gaming again after one of my fortnightly gaming colleagues simply said 'Bolt Action' last weekend. I and another of those seated around the table (we were playing Ravenloft by WOTC at the time) raised our eyebrows, we mooted, we rolled dice, we mooted some more. And then by the end of the evening we had all pretty much decided that we'd give it a go. Bolt Action revolves around reinforced platoons and kampfgruppe type of formations across all theatres of WW2. The scale of choice is 28mm and the games are fair...