What a week that was... After a very busy working week, coupled with the lounge carpet shrinking after the carpet shampooer 'died in action' and of course, the memsahib being back and forth from the hospital for tests and suchlike, we decided that we'd go to (and here, I ask that Grognards brace themselves) a garden centre, on the search for autumnal decor for the conservatory, which I have decreed will be in autumnal hues all year, to soothe and calm the overworked brain and tired eyes.   It was also a chance to go out for a bit of lunch and feel 'normal' for a change, after over half a year of imprsioment by our noble and illustrious leaders. The quiche was excellent as was the coleslaw, however the salad was lacking somewhat.  I did however buy a rather nice terrarium which caught my eye, and which, once safely home was decorated with a model scratchbuilt by the famed Andy Ritson in around 1984 and which is one of my cherished pieces. I think it's r...

Well, despite a week in which my wife was hospitalised and the house torn asunder for a new boiler and security system to be fitted and a week of truly hellish work, I've got a lot of gaming stuff under way. In the last hour, I reached approximately the half way point of the completion of my 28mm New Model army (baggage excluded) after two days of basing, fixing of flags and varnishing: I also commissioned a painted army from Redoubt this week, choosing Irish Catholic Confederates, which will be expanded after Christmas to allow it to serve dual use as a Montrose Scots army by removing the massed pike blocks and substituting them with highland units and Gordon foot. That will bring my ECW to around 1000 pieces which is for this year, a reasonable figure. On Friday I received a big box of FASA Traveller ship plans, which are currently on the dining table awaiting proper indulgence in their retro beauty. Big thanks go out to Chris Gilbride. My Snapshot rules arrived last wee...

At last, the Lesser Goblins which round out the Great Goblins (Great Gnolls) army list from the 1983 'Forces Of Fantasy' supplement are complete. Coming in at 18-20mm tall, Martin has realy captured the old school character and feel, and as you' expect, as well as standard heads there are also heads for the nocturnal cousins of the LGs. And yes, despite the diminutive stature of these felahs they are multi-part models allowing for literally hundreds of possible variants armed with everything from spears and swords to pitchforks and yard brooms. There;s also a Chieftain, Mage and a Jester who looks far from happy in his work. Find out more at: https://www.facebook.com/Satanic-Panic-Miniatures-Old-School-28mm-Fantasy-Figures-1517352111846357/

Well, as I head into Winter Quarters (I stop spending on anything other than Christmas between November 1st and December 31st) I've realised that I am having a very positive year with my gaming this year. I know it seems early, but I've actually got all my gaming ducks in a row, quite smoothly. 28mm New Model Army - Commissioned and being delivered every month - over 700 pieces with October seeing the final delivery if all goes to plan.  28mm Irish Catholic Confederacy - Commissioned today from Redoubt to supply painted - Just over 300 pieces, to be delivered before the end of Autumn. 15mm 'Snapshot' project using GDW/FASA deck plans and Citadel 15mm figures from RAFM in Canada. - I'm painting them. Thanks to long time (tor) mentor Chris Gilbride, I have been able to do this with more plans than the two in the Snapshot box set. 28mm Back Of Beyond - Figures from Gripping Beast and Empress - I'm painting them. 25mm 70s sci-fi from Riviresco/McEwan Miniatures - Or...

There has been something of a hoo-hah this week, caused by the advertisement of a book by Spanish paint company AK Interactive. At the heart of it is a book in which modellers of undoubted and enviable skill, create in miniature some of the atrocities that man has perpetrated on his own species throughout history and a video to promote it containing footage from Rwanda and the various concentration camps. On cue, the righteous were up in arms, ranting and spitting about it all, as if they were some kind of moral compass for the associated hobbies who may use AK's products. This appears to the era of the neo-witchfinders. One day this will lead to some having to burn themselves at their stakes, such will be their self-indignation and loathing. OK, so it may and I say may, not have been the best way to promote a product, but before anyone throws that first stone, perhaps a little introspective thinking is in order. The Egyptians cut off the hands of their enemies - Atrocity ...