Fresh start, Fresh period and inspiration.

So with a return to the painting table and wargames in general, I wanted to look at a new period for me. I have often wanted to get into the American Civil War, even more so since reading the Bernard Cornwell Rebel books

I cant put my finger on why but reading the Cornwell books always inspires me to paint armies, after reading the Arthurian series I painted a Warhammer Ancients Arthurian army and the Sharpe books have lead me to delve into the Two Fat Ladies Sharp's Practise and the Perry miniatures 40mm range.

So when I resently sold my old climbing gear I put the money towards and new period for me and I have to admit that the attraction of the ACW is the Perry miniatures plastic box sets meaning if I want to expand my foothold in the period it will not break the bank. So I was very pleased to see that the Perry twins have created the ideal kit for me to get into this period in the form of their Battle in a box.

While the 40mm Sharp's Practise figures will be painted over the winter the ACW might wait a bit longer. My Daughter is looking to fly the nest in 2017 and that will open up her room to become our hobby room half will be dedicated to knitting and sewing (my wife's passion) and the other half will be my wargames room including a good sized wargames table. All this will be in the future, I hope that I will be able to document the building up of my hobby room in 2017 on this blog.

Winter is coming!!!

If you are a fan of a certain fantasy TV series you will understand the reference, but for many of us in the wargames blogosphere this has a far greater meaning because the start of winter heralds the return of the world famous Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. From the original idea of Canadian wargamers clubbing together through the dark cold winter months to pretend to be busy painting so the other half can't get them doing endless DIY jobs around the house (not true just my imagination....honest) to this the seventh edition, it has become the incentive for hundreds of mad painting projects that would otherwise sit in the lead pile.

I first took part as one of the 47 Ronin, when I was pipped at the post but an avalanche of points in the final hours from New Zealand.

I returned in the next winter with mad plans to paint three different Colonial periods and started on fire turning out loads of Afghan Tribesmen and Colonial troops

but then a month into the winter real life got in the way and I had a hobby shut down.
while I have been painting the odd figure or two since, it is three years since I turned out figures at that rate. So while I am picking up where I left off with this fantastic painting challenge I have set myself a reachable 1000 point target.
I look forward to watching the output from my fellow painters and hopefully offer support or/and advice where I can.
So to all my fellow Wargames bloging painters

Flag Football Pre-season games

I took my American Flag Football team up to Halifax yesterday (Sunday 20th) to play a couple of friendly games against team from our BAFA league conference (MEC Middle England). Due to a few of my players being coaches for University teams (Full kitted football) I was light on numbers. I have had to become a coach only due to tearing my Hamstring earlier in the year so I only had five players to call on. Our Flag is a 5v5 game so my lads had to play both Offence and Defence but I could not be prouder as they came away from the day with two wins.

25-22 Against the Leeds Samurai and despite our teams 2016 MVP Sergio de Paco having to leave game two with a fractured finger (at which point I changed from photographer to ambulance driver) the boys with the help of one of the watching Samurai carried on and took the second game 33-30. Was a hugly satistfing day with many of the aspects I have worked hard on with the team in training being put into effect.
If you are on facebook feel free to check out (and like) the teams page to keep in touch with all our efforts in 2017.
Cavaliers Facebook Page