Goodness me it has been an age, an epoch, a damn long time. Checking back it was mid-2020 when I last posted on this. I have thought about getting back to posting something but life, as they say, got in the way. I'd like to start posting semi-regularly to keep a log of my projects and progress, if only for myself. Social media is handy for staying in touch with various wargaming chums and contacts, and getting an idea of what others are doing, but I find it vacuous and unfulfilling compared to the blogs of old (well maybe a decade ago). There are still a few stalwarts out there still blogging and my goal is to read more blogs and spend a lot less time on any sort of social media. Big idea - not sure how I will do.
So to start a brief overview of all the projects I have on the go, perhaps as a reality check for myself, but also as a stocktake.
Early War Chain of Command
Painting some ebay bargains and old warlord sprue sale Fallshirmjager to make up an early war platoon and supports for chain of command 2 and the blitzkrieg book. This project will need an opponent which I think will be French Dragon Portes or Motorcycle Troops (Crusader). I've 3D printed two french tanks which need priming, and some fallen parachutes for scatter and points of interest, replen or jump off points.
Devilry Afoot
I picked up about 12 figures, 3 packs, of border reiver range of figures from Flags of war for Devilry afoot which is a fun looking solo (or cooperative game) set around the 16 & 17th Centuries and wars of religion, witch hunting and witchcraft. You create your band of monster hunters and play out scenarios against a programmed group of monsters.
Packing Heat - Modern Middle East
I have a few already painted Taliban from Empress along with some British Army which I aim to use to play Packing Heat. Idea is around a small group of special forces vs a larger group of insurgents/militia etc. Need to paint some empress special forces, picked up off their clearance deals.
Dux Britanniarum
Have some basic Saxons from Gripping Beast plastics all painted up. Working on the British or Romano-British force. Need terrain for it too, have printed out some wattle fencing and working on designing a simple church to print based on the one from 1st Corp.
Rangers of Shadow Deep
Have played through the first scenarios with a mate, printed out some gnolls for that which need painted properly. They will come in handy for the next scenario too.
French Indian War - skirmish
Tempted to do something around FIW too which I have some figures for, was tinkering with using What A Cowboy for this and it does work well too. May also consider using packing heat.
Sharp Practice
Still have a load of Austrians to paint for Sharp Practice, Grenzers and cavalry and some french dragoons. Working on an Austrian Deployment point for their Jagers.
0200 Hours
Have painted a bunch of the allies and in process of painting up some more guards but I already had a bunch of German sentries and similar so can comfortably play without painting much more, aside from topping up from time to time for specific missions. Need to rebase the Germans as they were done on square plastic bases and the PVA and sand has started to peel away from the base. Will move them to plastic and magnetised bases.
Guards of Traitors Toll
Picked up the box set for this a while back and haven't started painting or assembling it yet.
Zona Alfa
Have kitbashed and painted a handful of stalkers for this, have a few more to make. Have some monsters painted up and zombies, dogs etc. Terrain is lacking.
Where Nightmares Come
Have painted 4 or 5 crew for this, have a few ideas around enemies/monsters and spare sprues etc to make them from.
Terrain
An ongoing and never-ending process! So many things to do here, partly due to having a 3D printer now (got it as a Christmas present from my wife almost 2 years ago now). I want to sort out more bocage for 28mm WW2, as well as being handy in a lot of other settings. Got a river printed, primed and partially painted, needing finished off. I'd like to get more trees made, I have printed some, I've got some old school twigs made up as trees that need finishing, I've got armatures from Woodland Scenics, trees from Evemodel that need based or added to other scenic items like rocky outcrops, and I've got some gutter guard, cut up and a fair few shaped into pine or conifer trees. Plenty to be getting on with.
That is a lot of stuff....
My main realisation over the past 5 years is that my hobby is just for me. I struggle to get much time to game, although I do now usually get a 2hr session once a week online playing a TTRPG of some description. So the focus on making and painting is largely what the hobby gives me, some peace and quiet away from other things in life, I'm not chasing completion, just relaxation and enjoyment. If I can get some solo games in on one of the many rulesets I own, then all the better, but it won't be a failing if I do not. From time to time I do get to wargame with a mate, and the past few of these have been Rangers of Shadow deep, and a few of Undaunted: Normandy. Maybe in future one of my kids will be interested in wargaming or just tabletop games, or perhaps just the painting or crafting aspects. Maybe not. Either way as long as I am enjoying the process and peace - then this hobby will continue.
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