"Ding!" And I'm back in the room!

Forgive me Blogosphere for it has been an almighty SEVEN weeks(!) since my last submission.

As it was my first Christmas since entering the world of blogging, I must admit to having been caught completely unprepared for the disruption bought about by the festivities. All in a good way. I've spent so much time having fun with family and friends that I'd just lost track and haver struggled to muster up the required effort while gorged on mince pies, nuts and cold turkey with pickles. Even this far into the New Year I've been hammering the gaming hard enough that I've not really conjured up any blog time.

So, this catch up will just be a few photographs of the a selection of the fun that's been had, with next post being my (first draught) plans for the year ahead. With a few curve balls thrown in for sure!

Here a just a few shots from the games where I remembered to take any (doh!)

First up was a very fun CoC "training mission" against my 16 year old lad Connor. I played a British Infantry platoon supported by a Sherman, attacking his hastily defending German Grenadiers with a PaK 40. Suffice to say no plan survives contact with the enemy and I was duly handed a good beating! Well done son, we'll make a "proper" wargamer of you yet.

Somewhere in that raging inferno is the remains of my big cat. More Coc this time against Bob. My gallant Grenadier defenders with all their support lumped into that Tiger 1. Again hastily defending this time trying to thwart Para's with lots of support choices including a FLAMETHROWER(!). All I can say is NASTY! Having had Bob languishing on 3-4 force morale for what seemed like ages, while mine remained a healthy 7, the sudden ambush grilling the Tiger bought about my rapid demise.

A trip into the loft to put away the decorations turned up a VERY old favourite game from my teenage years. With both sons and even the wife keen to play, the good times came rolling back. There were some truly hilarious moments culminating in Liam being instated as the "New Arnold Rimmer" of the modern age. Somehow though, Googling "How to win at Risk" just has a nasty ring to it. I bet that doesn't make his Risk Campaign Book!

Next up Garry came up for an eagerly awaited taster of the Fantasy adaptation of Sword & Spear. Having rather a lot of fantasy figures (with my old shop stock, two 16 year old lads and a looong mis-spent history of dabbling myself) it seemed rather a shame to have them languishing in the ignominy of the garage for the want of a decent set of rules. We had resolved last year to embarking on the "Grail Quest" for a replacement for Warhammer with these and lately, an adapted Lion Rampant coming into focus. Garry rocked up with his usual. 300 points of some or other flavour of "Poncey Elves", while I elected for all things green in the same amount. A very surprising game unravelled. The command & control were simple but elegant, there were all-manner of little subtleties and no shortage of strategy and prioritisation to boot. In the end I smashed seven bells out of him, so we'll definitely be exploring that again!*

And finally (for now at least) more CoC at Bob's. This time a cracking little France '40 game. Me as the French (all my supports lumped into a Char B) while Bob attacked with German Infantry supported by a mortar barrage and Stug 111D. Suffice to say me wounding his FOO helped immeasurably and my Tremblon VB grenade launchers performed a sterling role. In the end Bob's attack on the crossroads was truly blunted......at least for now.

So there you have it. A brief catch up on where I've been. There have of course been a great many more games (too many to mention) over what has undoubtedly been my busiest Christmas for many years. Here's to an active wargaming year ahead & a belated Happy New Year to you one and all.

Next up, another Muskets & Tomahawks after my last (un-photographed) unmitigated disaster where my Indians and Coureur de Bois received rough handling at the hands of Bob's British.

*It actually inspired the first painting of the year! With some gretchy Night Goblins getting some well overdue love in preparation for another run-out - shots to follow.

Best laid plans.......

Well, that was longer than anticipated!

I've been a tad tardy on the blogging front of late, but like a serene image of a swan on the river, there's plenty going on out of sight.

I could spout any number of excuses as to my lack of blogging. From the school holidays, the good weather, my wife taking some holiday etc. but to be honest, the single biggest factor has been.....

Welcome to our family Maya!

As I spend so much time alone, it had been decided that some company might be a good idea. In a stroke of good fortune, friends of friends were looking to re-home their 2 year old Husky/Staffy cross. I've discovered one of the most enjoyable aspects of dog ownership. There are a large number of wonderful walks ending in beer gardens locally!

Anyhow, back to hobby stuff. As I mentioned I'd not been idle.

First up I laid into my ever enlarging Sherman collection. I'd decided some time ago that as I had enough now I'd actually decal them up with specific unit markings.

Production line. Somehow a few Universal Carriers slipped in too!

I picked up 10 more Sherman II's for a bargain £20 on eBay. Although there's a leaning toward folks believing that all British late war Shermans were V's, the 4th & 8th Armoured Brigades were still equipped with large numbers of II's at the onset of the Normandy Campaign. I added in a couple of Sherman Ic 'Firefly's' to make up troops and a DD to support my paras in their early encounters.

The first four mark II's have been decalled as 4th with their black rat emblem. These would be handy for games in both Operation Epsom & Goodwood settings and they even supported Highland Division troops east of the Orne.

On that subject, the first six carriers also received decals for The Highland Division. The DD got a 'Pregnant Pilchard' (the seahorse emblem on 13/18th Hussars tanks) and large red turret numbers.

All the decals were again sourced from the excellent http://www.domsdecals.com/

Paul next door and me also started our new CoC At The Sharp End campaign (one for another post) between his TWO holidays in the last month!

With the lack of gaming, I've taken advantage to clear a project I've had lined up for some time. Having taken inspiration from Wee Derek's efforts http://dereksweetoys.com/2014/07/even-more-ruins/, I dug out my collection of ruined buildings and set about creating the less picturesque side of Normandy. Pictures will follow.

I've also invested in a new project for CoC. A good deal of time has been spent trawling the interwebs sourcing new scenery, vehicles, a few figures, some Niiice buildings and even a TRAIN! for:

Go East young man!

Rumour has it a platoon (plus) of winter panzergrenadiers may have been painted too. Post to follow.

Finally, next Saturday sees another Wyvern Wargamers all-dayer where the members get the chance to set up a bigger game than on club nights and have at it for longer. I'm massively looking forward to this one as none other than Big Rich himself has accepted the invite to play (not umpire) in a game of 15mm Big CoC! I have the scenario in mind. There'll be five players in total. Yet ANOTHER blog topic for what promises to be a busy week.

The genie is out of the bottle!