...I'm thinking that 'The Little Drummer Boy' is an utterly stupid carol. Here's this poor young woman, barely more than a girl, who's exhausted after giving birth to the Messiah in a freakin' stable in an unfamiliar town. There are all these weird strangers hanging about the place - some of whom are glowing. She's just got the baby to sleep when this little squirt comes along and thinks "What this chick really needs right now is a drum solo..."
For some reason following an upgrade to my DOS I'm unable to post comments on other blogs. It's a bit frustrating as I've read several excellent posts and game reports. I'll continue working on a fix. Message ends.
They shall not grow old,
As we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the Sun,
And in the morning.
We will Remember Them.
A feature on an interesting armoured train that protected my part of the world during the Great War. It could be useful for a what if scenario in the Great War, a AVBCW game, or even a Second World War game.
...and a library sale find.
Some progress on the desultory painting process on the peasants for Lion Rampant. The last batch of twelve out of sixty is on the painting block, and finally the end is in sight.
Some progress on the peasantry. The first batch of twelve is done and ready for the base work.
I gave these a double dip in the gunk to get the proper hard working, hard used grungy peasant look. For some reason, perhaps the pervading damp weather, the matte varnish turned out a bit shiny. I might give them another go over when the weather's warmer.
The next batch are on the painting block, ready for undercoating.
Lying face-down to the right is the 'War Doctor,' a present for my Whovian wife.
I've made a little progress on the peasantry for Lion Rampant. Given I have sixty figures to paint up I am breaking them down into batches of twelve.
A slightly blurry image of progress so far.
I prefer to use a mid brown undercoat for most figures these days, as it's more subtle than black especially for irregular troops like these with mixed coloured clothing.
As usual I painted in the faces and hands before moving on to blocking in the clothing. Thanks to my archaeologist daughter's expertise on historical fabric dyes I can get something approaching the authentic garb our ancestors wore.
These chaps are the peasantry contingent for the Lion Rampant First Barons War collection.
Merry Christmas, one and all!
I hope you got some nice shiny gaming related presents. My batch of Blue Moon 15mm peasants/Jaquerie for the First Barons' War arrived a day early, so I'll be working on cleaning them up and painting them over the holiday. With luck I'll be able to game more this year, and the new figures will take their place on the tabletop - where in a fine old wargaming tradition for new units they'll probably get trounced. :)
Our local library had a sale recently at which I picked up a couple of pieces of treasure.
The first recounts the adventures of all Royal Naval VCs of the First World War - including Norman Holbrook, commander of submarine B11 that penetrated the Dardanelles and after whom a town in Australia is named. The second is a famous book on the Siege of Malta and details the naval and mercantile operations to relieve the island.
* * * *
After a bit of thought, instead of expanding my ECW collection I decided to round off my 1st Barons' War array with the addition of two packs of Old Glory Blue Moon range Jacquerie figures. They'll make up several bands of peasantry and some of bidowers (light infantry). I dropped onto these at Noble Knight Games for a little over half the retail price, which is a welcome bargain.
