Well, this Wednesday sees the second anniversary of the passing of Peter Armstrong, AKA 'Greblord' who for those of you who don't know the name was one of the 'originals' when it came to the detailed painting of miniatures, and who was the author of the original Citadel painting guide (also reused by RAFM), predating all the studio-based guff. He was funny, thoughtful and acerbic in equal measures.  To me over the years he was mentor and tormentor, being capable of quite horrendous bullying one day and then on my next visit to GW, helpful and almost brotherly. I would not change any of that for the world, because with his sidekick and co-conspirator, Chris Gilbride, many an obnoxious youth learned wit and sarcasm from the best. Better to fight with the wits than the blade. Amongst the many memories I have of Pete, was the Christmas Eve fancy dress sessions in the Sheffield store, and in particular the year that he and Chris dressed as Ghostbusters, complete wi...

Synchronicity and gut feelings have been things which I've paid close attention to over the years since I started gaming proper in 1981. If you have read my book, you will have noted perhaps that a chapter is titled 'Well I hit the streets back in '81', itself a lyric from the 1985 'Misplaced Childhood' album by Marillion. I took note as this track is probably my favourite on that album following the seminal 'Childhood's End' probably my other most listened to track on the album to this very day and how odd that the album coincided with my first steps into the adult world and 4 years which, had I not met my partner of  31 years and wife of 26, would have probably and quite reasonably seen me erase myself from the face of the planet. This would have been, of course, a great loss for humanity. As I write I am listening to both of those tracks and my skin is crawling somewhat beneath the warm flannel pyjamas which age and a taste for simple quality ...

One thing that I always do when I find something new which interests me and tweaks the geek, is throw myself at it with abandon and all resources, firing the proverbial shotgun out of the back door, hitting lots of things and then sorting what's good for the pot when the smoke clears. I've reached that point with my 54mm project at present, having amassed a large collection already, and having decided that much of the Indian stuff will be moved on whilst some is added to my British army. I'll probably paint an Indian army myself using plastics, as my next 54mm foray, but in field dress rather than ceremonial. This coincides with a terrible urge (not involving a Dachshund, a Ferrero Rocher and lubricant, no) to revisit a few old themes, such as starships and 15mm fantasy armies. I am not sure where this may lead, but 3mm sci-fi is also appealing, so it'll probably end in tears. What started it was the other day when at a loose end and waiting for some weathering ...

OK Folks... This is the completed initial release of bodies, heads and weapons. Anyone care to work out the number of possible variations, when you take into account the weapon and shield combos? The drawings are under way for the cavalry , then it's Hobbgoblins, then something insane, then back to Gnolls again for even more variety - All in the approved old school style. PLEASE : Feel free to share the pics and help me roll out the 'Satanic Panic' ranges from Screaming Mob Miniatures. TTFN

The Cavalry for my British army... Tomorrow I will base the Indian Army cavalry, then onto all of the infantry. This lot represents about 18% of the Britain’s sets I’ve purchased since Christmas.

Walking the Fackham Hall pack on a cold dark morning, often gets me to thinking about matters of the spirit. Quite often I get maudlin, but today, I got a rather heretical but humorous notion as I watched dawn break over the city, the cold numbing my fingers as the dogs wrote a chemical version of War & Peace. I have this very day, composed a gamer's prayer... E.Gary thou art a legend Blessed be thy name Now life is done Thy rest has come You roll those dice in heaven Give us this day our daily quest Forgive us our chattering And we’ll forgive those we catch spoiling adventures Lead us not into Menzoberranzan And deliver us from the Temple Of Elemental Evil For thine is the final word The power of the DM Forever & ever Amen