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Sunday, March 09, 2025

Dispatches from the front XXXVI - A rare double header.

A little bit behind on posts of late, hopefully things should calm down in a couple of weeks once year end is out of the way, this real life stuff can seriously hinder hobby time.

Last weekend saw a rarity on the hobby front, a show and an all day game..... I suspect I will have to make up for that in the coming weeks, lets kick of with Hammerhead. A great show as always from Paul and Sally at Kallistra the hall was packed with plenty of games to chose from and most traders 2-3 people deep. I was reflecting on traders that were missing and the number that now concentrate their efforts on perhaps 3-4 shows a year, you can't blame traders given the cost of overnight accommodation and travel costs. That's a lot of margin to make up before you have even sold a pack of figures.

I did my bit with a nice haul from the show. I am trying to be more proactive so on the evening started to prep them before they disappeared into the draw of things I really must get round to finishing, it might allow me to get a little bit of prep across the week.

The haul Pendragon for the AWI Project with a number of additional buildings and phase three of the project, with more Militia, British Cavalry, Indians and more casualty markers. The under cloth hills from Kallistra will give me more options on the tabletop.

Finally a a couple of packs from Perry to bulk out the Christian forces for the Crusades, separating the Footsore Mini's from their larger cousins. The next game is scheduled for early April so no pressure to get them complete.

With barely time to recover Sunday saw a Wyre Forest all dayer with a dry run for the Alumwell show at the end of the month, I won't give the scenario away but it sees German mechanised forces take on Russian defenders.



Having a dry run gave us the opportunity to tweak the forces and ensure that the scenario moves at pace and gives a balance of troops for each side.

A big shout out to Howard from the club, knowing my Crusades project is underway he very kindly gifted me his "to do" pile... Very generous.... but wow the list of things to do is growing day by day....

Meanwhile back from hibernation the LOTR's campaign is back, over a year has passed since the last posting - Dust, Tears & Dice: LOTR Campaign - Back from the annuals of time. New purchases from my wargaming buddy has perhaps pushed Infamy to it's limits so we discussed switching to Lion/Dragon Rampant it will certainly give a faster play and both rule sets have enough characteristics for the various troops types. We will need to tweak the points for each campaign force but it should not take long to convert.





A greater tester game saw a win for the good guys.... shame it did not count. It was great to be able bring the campaign back to life, as always so many games, so little time.

12 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Only 15 mores years and I can retire :-)

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  2. Wow, busy times indeed Stu....that so called "real life" can be a bit of a nuisance, can't it?!

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  3. Lovely addition to your collection and amazing looking game.

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  4. What’s not to love, AWI, crusades and Lotr all good 👍

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    1. I feel like we mirror each other Matt, when I look over your blog.
      Cheers
      Stu

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  5. A great mix of stuff on show there Stu:)! Nice to see the Good Guys get a win, even if it won't count campaign wise.

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    1. You wait Steve a game in the next couple of weeks, watch it all go wrong. Mind you, I am out numbered 2:1 :-)

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  6. Top looking game of Lord of the Rings and that demo game looks like it'll be a beauty.
    Good idea to get the prep. done too, I reckon. It's a time consuming necessity. Gives some satisfaction, but not like painting does. I try to do it when I don't have the drive to paint or when conditions are not the best for painting (too hot or cold or warm and humid with lots of night-time bugs around in the shed, or only a brief 'window' of hobby time).
    Regards, James

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    1. I know what you mean James, nibbling away this week on various projects in the hope there can be some concentrated painting time over the weekend.

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