WHAT A FIASCO!

 Today we dragged ourselves to Fiasco in Leeds and it was shite.

That's what you'd expect me to say, but noooooo

This morning I rose at 03:30 with Sheffield and Leeds still well truly in the teeth of Storm Whatever-It-Is-They-Want-Us-To Be-Worried-About-This-Time, stretched out on the sofa with my first cup of fruit tea, and listened as the wind and rain did their worst, to Radio 4 Extra, before showering and selecting a sartorial mix of Joe Browns clothing in soft fabrics, and war Autumnal colours, set off beautifully by a striking orange shemagh (also courtesy of Joe) and finished the whole ensemble with a pair of brilliant red Clark's Wallabees. All very understated for me, but nonetheless I was filling inwardly and indeed externally chipper, which a dash of Aramis behind the ears enhanced very nicely thank you.

The Memsahib, who has not been well this week, was, after 12 hours in bed similarly upbeat of mood and up to the considerable challenge of the motorway in what were unpleasant conditions, arriving at 09:25, and finding parking  a few metres from the venue.

We popped into the hotel across the plaza from the Armouries and had a very pleasing cooked breakfast, with toast, croissant, and a cheeky chocolate breakfast muffin (we very rarely indulge in such things these days but what the hell...) washed down with Earl Grey for the Memsahib and a more reasonable and sedate mocha for your correspondent, who, decided that he would have a caffeinated beverage for a change and to as it were, thumb a nose to his normal breakfast beverage. 

And then, it was into the show at about 10:10 and straight up to the tabletop sale, which was, lete me be very clear, simply the best tabletop or bring and buy I have witnessed in years.

Indeed, by 10:30 money had been spent without a second's thought, bagging some rather wonderful things indeed for someone who lives in the past as I do:

 

Next, it was over to see Ken 'Yarkshire Gamer' Reilly and bend his ear for 20 minutes, having not seen him in person for ages, and to gaze with much approval upon his ever growing FPW display with some lovely new fields. 

I always enjoy speaking to Ken, as we are of similar ages with a similar memory bank of how gaming was in the Golden Age. It was funny watching passing gamers rummaging through my box of purchases, which, Ken had very kindly allowed me to park on his table whilst we chatted. No asking, not even a quizzical look, just straight in and rummage around. There is hope indeed for the future of traditional wargamer behaviour.

I also bumped into Mike Goss. as well as 'The Austrian Man Of Mystery' who I've not seen for a couple of years, David Taylor and numerous other old, familiar, faces and acquaintances from the time when I was 'coming up' in the hobby and with whom again, I love to chat.

Indeed, I was pretty involved in socialising which is not my style, being the objectionable curmudgeon I am. 

There is a pervasive rumour that I am unapproachable, and, if I don't know you from Adam (or Eve for that matter) it's true that I am probably not going to want to to talk to you, but those people with hwhom I've become acquainted with in the last half a century, are always a pleasure to meet and converse with. 

The show seemed busier and the trade a little denser than last year and the whole vibe was what I expect from a show, indeed, LWS have rediscovered their mojo in my humble opinion, which is fantastic because I have always been a lover of Fiasco and for a couple of years it has felt as if it was close to Heaven's door, but no, like Lazarus, it has rebounded with a resounding 'BAZOOOOIIING!', in fact it had more bounce that Samantha Fox's hair - you thought I was going to say tits, didn't you. 

Well, those as well. Long may Fiasco be described in that way. 

Although I no longer use Colour Party paints, it was great to see them trading at the show. I used to use them in the 80s and would oft, trek up to Leeds in my teenage years on the X32 coach and visit their shop in the middle of the city. My mate swore by CP's 'Basetex' and could do quite extraordinary things with it, Indeed, he probably made up a large proportion of the sales of that particular product.

It's heartwarming to see these small businesses at shows and I want more of this and les big box crappola emporia.

We left at 13:10 in brilliant autumnal sunshine, tempered by the strong winds which were whipping across the plaza of the Armouries, and made our way home, only nearly being blown off the M1 thrice (I apologise to those who may have wished a sticky end for your correspondent - there are probably a couple, but fuck 'em) 

So, all in all, it was a very pleasant day indeed, and has restored my faith in the ability of clubs to present a good show, with flair but no bravado. I confess that after what was, if I am honest was a lacklustre Partizan (that is my opinion so sit down, sir) I was not certain that I could be raised once more like Lazarus.

I shall be at Recon as that is a favourite of mine because of the festive feel, lovely venue of which I have fond memories, going waaaaay back, and, the decent breakfast butties you can get for a pittance. 

And the bring and buy of course. 

So, I shall for the moment, bid you adieu as I am in my jym-jams and ,have to polish my purchases and find a suitable 80s film with which to complete my great day. Perhaps 'Class', and often overlooked romantic comedy crossed with coming of age flick.

Next week, I have Turner & Hooch or Ghostbusters, and after that Biggles, which is a film I've never seen.

 

TTFN