So, What's Next?

 Well, my blog has already had over 16500 hits this month.

I know I have a bit of criticism for the ads, but if I turn thenm of now I lose the £44 I have amassed. So, do me a favour and click on some ads.

When it reaches £60 I can draw it down to my account and then - I promise - I will turn advertising off forever, and take the memsahib out for lunch on the proceeds, toasting you all.

I promised I'd tell you more about my next acquisition a couple of posts ago, and so, now that a deal has been agreed, I can reveal that the wonderful old school ECW collection amassed and curated by veteran wargamer Robbie Roddis, is coming to live with me here at the Dark Tower as I become the next custodian of it, until I pass it along as I get closer to the long darkness of the eternal dice box.

Robbie runs the excellent Independent Wargames Group blog here:

https://independentwargamesgroup.blogspot.com/

Photo credit: Independent Wargames Group

I had, as you know, sworn off ECW and been 'clean' for two years. Then, a couple of weeks ago, Roger pointed me to Robbie's latest post wherein he was offering the collection for sale. And what a collection it is, comprising well over 900 infantry and 300 cavalry, mostly classic Hinchcliffe, with a smattering of Minifigs and similar classics, including some from the collection of the venerable Stuart Asquith.

Initially, I reacted as if I was allergic and told Roger so, but he did what he has always done for over 40 years and remarked that he was amazed that I'd take that attitude as, as long as he's known me, I've had a passion for the ECW.

Well of course, he was right, so I popped over, had a proper look at the images that Robbie posted and as you might expect, I reached out to discuss purchasing the collection and a deal was done.

I'm very pleased, because I have rediscovered my love of the ECW, and it's taken me back to that period before the release of the Wargames Foundry range which changed the face of ECW wargaming, seeing many venerable armies which were very much based on old interpretations of how the troops looked, discarded to the blue cantilever toolbox of shame.

Don't get me started on figure storage, because I loved the old toolbox method. As a long haired teenager, I once had a run in with a skinhead as I made my way home on the Sunday after Triples, and was saved by my toolbox. Let's leave it there, but it contained about 8 kilos of freshly purchased lead.

But, as many people know, Hinchcliffe and in particular the Foremost range look superb with a nice paint job and in regiments. It's a wonderful thing when you realise that what looks like a pretty uninspired model, comes to life when grouped up with his fellow models. That was the secret of the old armies, you had a limited range of poses, but many were designed to be gently bent to a slightly different pose whilst keeping a general 'look' to a unit. Even if you used the same figure in a unit, a slight 'twist' when you stuck the models to the bases, added a degree of subtle animation.

So, the table has been cleared off and I am going to be ordering some Hovels buildings - despite having a seriously large number of Grand Manner pieces - to make the table look more aesthetically contemporary with the models.

I'd not planned another large project for this year, but truth be told, I'm glad to be the new custodian, because it is as Roger pointed out, a lifelong love for me. I'm looking forward to getting it all set up and some of the motley band who turn up here from time to time, around the table and playing some great games, being as we all are 'of a certain age'.

I'll spend Spring, bringing my notes and ideas for my 'PHUTT! Thou Art Slain...' rules together. I shelved them and instead focussed on a fantasy variant (which is what we all use now for our big fantasy games)  which has shaped up nicely.

I have a few new ideas in mind, which have come about from the  playing of the fantasy set, so I think that the resurrected project will bear fruit.

I'm also looking forward to painting some Hovels buildings which I always liked as a kid, but only painted (with exception of the Celtic settlement) in 15mm. I think they are perfect for using as a backdrop to the armies.

Well, if you will excuse me, I better sign off for now as the memsahib is not well today and I ought to go and check on her and take her a cup of tea.

TTFN