I thought I'd let you read what was/is the epilogue of my first book, whilst I recover from all the building work of the last 6 weeks and re-discover my muse and the time to indulge it: I hope you enjoy... 2011 had been a turbulent year. The manuscript for this book was initially completed back in March and I had edited and added elements here and there, sending copies and excerpts to friend and foe alike. To my surprise (and I confess, delight) my efforts were applauded. It seemed that I’d hit the vein from which the lifeblood of memories flows, reminding people of their own past escapades in the microcosm which is gaming in all its forms.     I was on the crest of an emotional tsunami. I had done it – I had created something that was of value to someone, somewhere. Even if my manuscript languished in my safe I had made a record of my life and of those of others. It was a time capsule of lost youth that had given me much cause to smile and indeed mourn dur...

As I have time on my hands today after yesterday's marathon working day, I decided to finish the first dozen of my 1/300 sci-fi models. I used a white base coat, then sprayed them with Halfords fluorescent green, glazed over with Army Painter 'Military Green' ink wash to add definition whilst keeping the 'glow'. The models themselves are produced by Brigade Models. Now these are not the same standard as I paint to for clients because my stuff is just for me and I want neat models that I can game with before I retire. I am really pleased with the retro look. TTFN

The best laid plans of mice and men, and all that jazz... Today should have seen the end of the building work. I had planned to work until I had completed all my work for the remainder of this week, in one sitting, clocking up in the end a massive 15 hours at my desk, having risen at a little after 4AM and 5 hours sleep. The plan was to start the sealing of the plasterwork on Thursday. Alas, yesterday, I presented my builders with some very good bottles of vodka - and last night they both drank them! So, when I heard the van pull up a full hour an a half late, with only one of them in it, you may imagine my mood and indeed the colour of my internal dialogue. Now I am crossing my fingers that they complete it all on Thursday so that I can begin to get my home back again. I've been hard at work on lots of 6mm stuff for clients in the last couple of weeks as well as 1/600 coastal warfare models for Heroics & Ros and more 15mm stuff for two other clients. But, I also mana...

 After 4 weeks (with several more ahead) of living in what is a building site with windows, redolent of those 80s news segments from downtown Beirut, today, I made my second visit to the Joy Of Six, 6mm themed convention here in Sheffield, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable day - and an expensive one! Let me say from the outset, that if you think that 6mm is a waste of time or simply doesn't have anything for you, you really should make the effort to attend, because you are missing a genuine treat. We arrived at about 10AM and I delivered a few thousand 6mm models to assorted clients, including some new releases for Heroics & Ros, including Danish Centurions, T55s, and WW2 Italian infantry, all of which were. joy to paint. The venue is the atrium of the main Sheffield Hallam University campus and is bright, airy and a very relaxing venue for a show. The atmosphere of the show is probably the best of any I have attended in the last 25 years with only Britcon coming close. I...

Let me begin with an apology. I apologise for the lack of posts of late, but as you may recall, we'd  undertaken to have the DarkTower re-worked. Alas, what was to be a straightforward renovation of bathroom and kitchen has now become all of that plus the knock through of the dining room, plastering of three locations, replacement of a floor and three ceilings. Three weeks in, and we are living in only two of the 8 rooms here at the Tower. I am working in some of the most cramped conditions I have had to endure in twenty years. But, it's given me a lot of time to think of things game related. I've come to one big decision and that is to move over to 6mm for all but my 40K, Cape Wars and Warhammer Fantasy projects. It all began when, lost in reveries of my misspent (or is that well spent?) youth, I was wont to remember the Triples that irregular Miniatures released it's 6mm range. We were al pretty hooked in our group of Young Olympians, with the exception ...