Monday 28 October 2019

A Show, Gaming, and a Book

Well, the last couple of months have to be the busiest on record for me, but that's no excuse for not writing up the Battle of The Elbaubach which we conducted at The Cotswold Open Day on 1st September. So, my apologies.

Having said that, others have already covered the day, with ample reports and pictures (including many of our game), so I have very little to add ... And it does rather seem a bit late now anyway!
Suffice to say, Steve and I had a good day, we won a prize for the painted armies (presented by the esteemed Stuart Asquith), and the game got played to a conclusion twice through.
Well done to Keith Flint who put on a good show. And thanks to those who attended and showed an interest in our project. We will, hopefully, return next year, perhaps with a more 'participation-style' game... Although even for this year I didn't actually get to play in the game, so insistent were visitors to the table that they should take command! Following set up, my foray into the village to obtain sustenance in the form of bacon rolls, saw me return to a battle in full swing!
It was good to see the forces laid out on the tabletop though.


Above and below, Steve and Keith go at it in the second game.

Above: death ride of the Vaubarian Cuirassiers Vogts.

More recently, Dianne and I were out for a quick bite one evening at our local hostelry, The Saracen's Head in Balsall Common. One of the quirks of the establishment is that they bring the bill to you inserted in an old book... Various titles are used, at random, from classic literature to all manner of encyclopaedic tomes. On this occasion, flicking through the pages, I found some of the chapter headings enticing, and then realised it was a book by Peter Young, from 1958. I asked if I could purchase the book, and the manager offered it for free, in return for a positive tripadvisor review. Result!



This coming week, Steve and I have called a General Meeting of The Fosseway Indie-Fencibles, to address the coming year, projects we fancy doing, where we take The Wars of the Vaubarian Succession, and other such wargamery. The reality is that we're meeting up for a chin wag.
We've chosen a new venue, with the sort of connotations readers of this blog might appreciate. It's a pub in Moreton in the Marsh which apparently was the inspiration for Tolkien's "Prancing Pony". Seems apt. Looking forward to it.


13 comments:

  1. Like the idea of the book/bill and a great find .

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    1. It was quite a surprise... And took a moment to sink in. One of those 'double-take' moments.

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  2. Nice find on the book. That's a great story.

    Jim

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    1. Thx Jim. Some good pictures and commando stories in it. What a life the man had!

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  3. That third picture, it looks like Keith and I are engaged in the opening rituals of a sumo wrestling match (although it's only me who has the right-sized tummy for that kind of thing). I wonder if New Zealand wargamers do the haka before a game :-)

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    1. I think the Vaubarians might have done the Haka, Steve, but were outwitted by the Astrovian White Flying V formation that faced up to them!

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  4. It did sound like a good little show from what I've read elsewhere. The game looks terrific and seems to have been well received - Well Done!

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    1. Thx Paul. Yes, a good little show. Good to get to know a few pals. I hope it becomes an annual event. Promising signs. Best rgds. Phil

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  5. It was nice to catch up with you Phil at Keith's Cotswold gaming day but sadly not long enough as the day flew by. Your game and figures looked wonderful and I so wanted to push them around the table in some form of military action.
    An other great day out.

    Happy gaming,
    Willz Harley.

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    1. Great to see you Willz. And your game looked super too. See you again sometime,and maybe we'll get chance for a game. All the best. Phil

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  6. Not often I get to be in wargame pic Phil, I'm usually taking the photos for my own blog, so thanks for taking a couple with me in. Really enjoyed the time with you and Steve, can I be insistent again next year please?... Oh, Steve and I concocted a couple of new rules while you were on your bacon butty run......risky to absent yourself :-)

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    1. I was very disappointed, Chris, to find that despite my having explained to you and one other, at least twice, that Steve and I would be playing the game, you had muscled in. Very ungentlemanly. I won't be so polite next time. 😉

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  7. Sorry to come so late to this post Phil. Lovely to see you again the other day (despite the circumstances). That photo is a bit unfortunate - it looks like Steve and I are staring each other out, when of course it was a very friendly game!

    I hope to have the pleasure of trying out Steve's rules and your outstanding figures at a future meeting.

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