After yesterday's marathon toy soldier acquisition mission, you'd expect me to be in a swoon, but this morning I found two bargain priced pieces that I had to have in the shape of an Indian artillery piece drawn by two white bullocks and a Royal Engineers pontoon wagon. They were so cheap that I literally couldn't let them go by...

Well, after a day of desktop retail therapy, I have put together the core of my two 54mm Toy Soldier armies at a cost (thanks to some serious discount) of just under 4 figures. I can see Roger now, shaking his head, a look of pity and wonder on his angelic visage. I bought 31 sets in total today, and decided that I better stop because frankly, I was looking at mountain guns and pontoon wagons - and that way lies insanity. So, here's the haul - and yes, those duplicated pics are indeed multiple boxes... Now, if you will excuse me, I need to lay down in a dark room for a while :) TTFN

2019 is to be the year of the shiny toy soldier for me. I have looked at what I have, what I need (very little) and what looks fun, and the desire for some proper grown up gaming with matchsticks and funny hats, seems to need satisfying. To that end, I have this morning negotiated for a dozen or so boxes of Britains traditional 54mm toy soldiers, having driven a hard bargain. A few building block structures, and a bottle of port and I am set to go... This morning, I began with a little pre-breakfast shopping, and acquired: 8959 8834 8806 8821 8811 8828 8833 8836/8838 8856 8845 8841 My two armies are both based on British units. One side is all Colonial and Native units, whilst the other is Home Service, the bonus being that I can combine them if I need to take on an over large opposing force. I have rationed myself to a £1200 initial budget but no doubt, this will increase, because those shiny little buggers are jut too nice...

WOW! I just passed 150,000 views of this blog, so before I begin, let me say thank you to you all... I was reflecting on how lazy I've been this last week, but at the same time, so very busy as we adjust our plans from going out for a 5 course Christmas diner at the Royal Victoria hotel here in Sheffield, to having a quiet (if the presence of 5 terriers can be called quiet) Christmas lunch at home. The acquisition of a fifth Scottie pup last month meant that although he'd be safe and relaxed if we left him at home for a couple of hours, we would miss the joy of seeing him experience his first Christmas day with presents and a chicken dinner (turkey is a bit too rich for the chap yet). No doubt he'll join the other 4 mutts in staring out the oven for 7 hours straight, although the oldest Scottie also tries to cadge a bit of after dinner mint every year because, he thinks he's a human. Anyway, as I said, we've been busy with buying everything, waiting for deliv...

Well, I walked in from the Grandson's Christmas Nativity;  a blazing tour de force of infant drama, let me tell. you. I was clapping and crying 'BRAVO!' much to the amusement of my daughter such was the quality of the cast. And so, just when I thought it couldn't get better, I walked into my studio, to do a bit of overtime for a particularly favoured client, and found in my messages some incriminating pictures from Martin Buck. Now, I have had very high expectations of Martin on my old school project, but he has exceeded them and indeed the ball has been knocked right outta the park. Here are the pics of the heads for the Great Gnolls, which just ooze class and style. Remember that every figure will be cast with each of the head variants, and with the models mostly being open handed, the amount of variety you will have at your fingertips is astonishing. It's not often I shed a tear, but I did today, such was my joy. Now, if you will excuse...

I'll begin writing and although I don't have a title right now, I may find one by the time I complete this old school epistle to the wargaming apostles as it were. Friday saw me complete my work a day ahead of my schedule, having pulled double shifts at my desk for the last 3 weeks. All I had to do - and that's a sarcastic all - was to strip out and fully restock my studio. every year before I take my Christmas break, I dispose of the paints I bought the previous year and fully replace them, because frankly, I want my clients to have the very best materials and service - a mark of a true professional, IMHO. Although I have decided to only have the most used 400 paints immediately to hand this year, with the rest in 'Really Useful' boxes under my benches. For the last couple of months, and in particular December, I've not really had time to sit and think much about my hobby and my life as it relates and intertwines with said hobby. Firstly, I ...