OK, I sent the list of models I require sculpting last night with details of what I want for the first 3 ranges, designed to appeal to Oldhammer and Old School fantasy fans. Each range is 9 bodies, mostly with open hands and then 8 head variants. 72 variants per race before you even factor in weapon variants. Add in the weapons and you can have several hundred different models. I have included a leader, mage and standard bearer, blowing horn (as is right and proper for old schoolers). The first three ranges Gnolls in Norman garb Classic pseudo-Roman-viking Hobgoblins Meso-American-Punkettes with bolt pistols and mohawk hair do's and a hatred for Norsemen and bipedal frogs. The Zombies will be following closely behind these. And then cavalry of course for the Gnolls and Amaz... I mean M-A-Ps. There will also be Hob Hounds and handlers.

The start of week two of the 23 days of rest and I have made my first purchase, in the shape of some vintage Valiant Enterprises 'Stardate 3000' models. The reissues are £10 a pack, so 17 packs for £40 seemed a bargain. Now to re-read the Encounter One rules that GW 'Old Boy' Chris Gilbride kindly gave me a few years ago. I'mo old school, I write my game orders on slate! :)

YES! I made it to 50! Damn, it's been a fraught few months as I feared I'd check out - Fate being like that. Thank you to my friends and family or family and friends if you prefer, for the great gifts and wishes. I know we were supposed to meet up, this evening but, I could see the difficulties in the social logistics of having three distinct camps of friends, some who would have been in larger numbers than others, which could have made it unenjoyable for those on their own. That said, it’s a good job that we didn’t because I managed to get a chest bug as a result of the anti-TNF loading dose. You will note the irony of it hitting 48 hours before my birthday… Oh the pathos! Pete Armstrong would have seen the humour in that... My old friend, Roger managed to bring a tear to my eye, with an unexpected gift of the complete 'By The Sword Divided' and a card which was a perfect example of the sense of humour my peer group shared and which for many of us was a default state ...

It's been an odd day when nothing has gone as planned. My wife popped to the G.P for a quick follow up appointment and ended up spending two hours at the hospital on a heart monitor as things are still not quite right. But, once they had done with the wires and electrodes, it was over to Huddersfield and Dixon Miniatures. Alas, the satnav had a fit and sent us to three different locations before reaching the right address, adding 25 miles to the 28 mile journey. However, I came away with a big box containing several hundred 28mm Samurai, which I will spend Thursday sorting out before they go to my painter, so all's well that ends well.

Oh it feels good... Having literally not stopped for a proper break since 11th August 2017 (Yes, I know I had a break at Christmas, but that was the start of 3 months solid of flu and bronchitis which very nearly put pay to me) I now have 3 weeks of R&R to properly unwind and de-stress, as well as take stock of my life. I have worked ridiculous hours for the last 6 weeks to clear the decks as well as having to deal with Kayte's 'near miss' a fortnight ago. Kayte is doing OK, but her recovery is slow and she is tiring very easily. I have suggested she take early retirement in 5 years, which will mean a lower pension but with the lump sum we could clear the mortgage and have about the same monthly income as we do now minus the mortgage payments. But that's just thoughts and discussions at present. You may recall that about 18 months ago, I drew a line under my wargaming excesses and vowed that  from my 50th birthday I would not buy any unpainted lead unless it w...

Funding now at 99% - SO CLOSE! https://unbound.com/books/games-workshop/#.WmBZoMt-LCo.twitter

Hot off the press is the news that Total System Scenic is up for sale. I confess that I have made enquiries, but it's not high on my agenda... As part of a restructure of QRF Models Ltd following the recent 'event' suffered by Chas and Sarah's ongoing illness, we are considering selling part of the business Total System Scenic is a worldwide known brand name that has been trading for over 30 years.  It is a unique product that has no rivals and maintains a steady presence in the market place. It is used throughout the wargames world and construction industry as well as museums and acadamies. The sale is for the following:-   'Total System Scenic' and 'TSS' brand names   Polystyrene and Styrofoam tile ranges    Foam cutters,   Flocking machine and cabinet   Stocks of polystyrene and flocks.   Copy of website with email address and listed ranges. Instruction can and will be provided for a UK buyer on a face-to-fa...

OK, I sent the list of models I require sculpting last night with details of what I want for the first 3 ranges, designed to appeal to Oldhammer and Old School fantasy fans. Each range is 9 bodies, mostly with open hands and then 8 head variants. 72 variants per race before you even factor in weapon variants. Add in the weapons and you can have several hundred different models. I have included a leader, mage and standard bearer, blowing horn (as is right and proper for old schoolers). The first three ranges Gnolls in Norman garb Classic pseudo-Roman-viking Hobgoblins Meso-American-Punkettes with bolt pistols and mohawk hair do's and a hatred for Norsemen and bipedal frogs. The Zombies will be following closely behind these. And then cavalry of course for the Gnolls and Amaz... I mean M-A-Ps. There will also be Hob Hounds and handlers.

With three days remaining until I take almost 4 weeks off, for R&R, I just completed the basing of Over 1500 'pieces' in 46 hours. They are 1/300 models by  Heroics  & Ros for a client, depicting a battalion of 9th/21st Panzer, during the Normandy campaign at 1:1 ratio.  The varied basing was done at the request of my client. Total project completed two months ahead of schedule to meet my client's needs, by getting in some serious overtime. I estimate a total of around 320 hours from start to finish. You may imagine , that I am very pleased at this outcome. TTFN

I love my hobby. In fact I live and breathe my hobby and have done so for just shy of 40 years. I remember the Satanic Panic, Pat Pulling, the blaming of D&D for all the woes of the world and so much more. In short, I remember when it was considered easier to admit that you were an incestuous, morris dancing, junkie than to say 'Oh, I play games with funny shaped dice and little model soldiers'. Now, what really, really gets my fucking dander up, is when I see a documentary purporting to be 'about the creators of D&D' interview a bunch of kids employed by the current owner of the line, with no mention to or attempt to interview the real creators or even their surviving family members. If you listen to bearded grinning buffoon responsible, he is right in there with the people who gave him his great hobby. No! You fucking well are not , my friend! This is blatant re-writing of social history by a generation who are sore th...

I am pleased to say that I have my wife safely home and recovering from the angio oedema. We are both tired, but life goes on and both she and I are working as normal. Yesterday my painted Samurai eBay purchase arrived, bit sadly had some damage: It's a shame, but because I am an experienced and skilled painter and fixer-upper, it'll take me perhaps an hour to bring them back up to standard. Beyond the transit damage they are a wonderful purchase and, the seller has kindly refunded £50, bringing the whole box down to £250.00, so I am far from complaining. Now, it may be that you don't hear from me (cue: cheers) until some time after the 10th of August as I am so busy that spare time's not really an option. I am not complaining because after that I am taking a break for almost a month to recharge my batteries, celebrate my 50th birthday and generally slow down for a while and spend time with my wife at conventions, galleries, museums and the od...