Inspiration or Distraction?

The other day, the following  DVDs dropped through the letter box here at Warcabinet HQ...

Their arrival was by no means a surprise, as I had ordered them in time for my birthday (any other readers occasionally buy themselves a birthday treat or two? No? Just me then!!). However, whilst no surprise, their arrival was met with a degree of unconcealed joy!

The 1864 series, I completely missed on TV, but thought it worth a boxed set punt.
Alatriste, I have been aware of for ages, and it had spent a long time in the "must get that some day" category.

The question is, which one to watch first?!

Can anyone comment/ recommend/ shed light on these?

More Prussians - IR23

This morning I have just finished basing the latest unit of Prussians...
IR23 - Regiment Forcade.
I have shown them with the 1740s flags, which I much prefer, rather than the plainer versions carried in the 1750s/SYW.

Figures painted by Dave Jarvis, flags by Mark Allen.

Talking of flags, I have today received from Mark the first two flags for an additional contingent that is to be depicted in the collection. You see, this past couple of weeks, I've had some time off. Time to consider the "ultimate orbat" for this project. And, yes, it's grown arms and legs!

I also received a box a few days ago...

...and have been working on some of the contents, whilst listening to the gripping first Ashes Test Match on the radio. The ideal way to relax on a summer's afternoon...

In Our Time

Caught most of the BBC Radio 4 programme, "In Our Time" tonight. Melvyn Bragg and guests discussing Frederick the Great.
Well worth seeking out on Listen Again thingy if you missed it.
Good for painting along to! 

Nice in NICE

I don't normally do non-wargaming posts on the blog, but on this occasion I thought I would make an exception, not least because there are some images I wanted to share that I found useful from a wargaming perspective.

Last post I mentioned "Life's Rich Tapestry", and it certainly has been (and thank you to all who commented).
But don't get the wrong impression...
The tapestry has been all positive, including a few days' break in Nice recently.

As a bit of a treat, Dianne and I stayed at Nice's finest hotel, Le Negresco... world-famous and beautiful and barmy.

And it sports a fascinating décor, collection of artworks, and a few items to interest the travelling wargamer.
Here are just a few images.

Above: Surely, inspiration for a palace interior. The chimney breast is in fact 17th century and was transported to the hotel from a castle in The Dordogne.

 

Below: Items on the landing area on the fourth floor, just outside our suite.

And in the bar...
a statue of Joan d'Arc, along with several uniforms from the 1860s period.

Plus, shown below, a picture of The Great Conde - although Monsieur Mark Allen disputes this, suggesting the picture is in fact of Louis XIV... any thoughts?

These are just a few of the immense collection of artworks, and other ornamentation that adorns this magnificent hotel.

Last, but not least. If you ever find yourself in Nice, take a trip up to the war memorial - a huge edifice, sculpted into the rock face. A very impressive monument to the fallen.

 

Right, back to wargaming stuff next time, I promise!

 

Back in your box, Wargaming!

It's been a while since I last posted, and I know, I really must do better!

In reality, life's rich tapestry has meant I have been uninclined to blog, and even I had started to get tired of simply putting up posts of the newest unit off the production line.

There has, however, been lots going on, and within that rich tapestry, even some wargaming!

I recently had a visit from Jim Purky, all the way from the good ol' US of A, and hosted him as part of the AMG forum Partizan weekend.
As well as making sure Jim got to see our local castle (Kenilworth), and had a pint of real ale in a local pub, visited the ruins of Coventry cathedral, and enjoyed an evening in one of our favourite local restaurants, we visited Griffin Moulds, which is not far from where I live. It was great to see Jim's delight at meeting the people who bring his Minden range of figures to life.
The passing of Stewart Griffin (who I met personally only a couple of times, but with whom I got on really well) has, of course, hit the Griffin team very hard. But there's a steely resolve to take the business forward, and things seem to be in very good hands.
I myself will be back there towards the end of the summer to run another mould. More of which anon.

I mentioned life's rich tapestry above, and it's been in my mind lately that I have found a perfect box for my wargaming hobby to co-exist with all my other interests... And that is helped considerably by me focusing on one main project. It means I'm not obsessed just with wargaming - an obsession which I've always felt somewhat unhealthy (to some that would seem like heresy, but each to their own...). I can safely say I haven't been as content in my hobby for a long while.

Too many people in our hobby, in my opinion, have far too much time on their hands, and seem to spend too many hours on forums obsessing in endless mastication, very often generating angst, jealousy, and argument. Keyboard warriors abound, and horrendous vitriol and childish threats ensue. I only visit a couple of places online regularly, preferring to have a weekend time slot to catch up on the wider online hobby, passing only a cursory glance over the online bickering, and seeking out the more positive and informative postings. However, of late, I have myself been subjected to such spite on a particular forum; seemingly arbitrary sniping, almost invisible to other participants, but very real nonetheless. Turning the other cheek to such pettiness is the best approach, and just walking away to get on with more important things is best policy. Life's rich tapestry - having plenty of other things to get on with - has allowed me to do just that.

So, back to this small corner of the online world.
Here's a little reward for reading this far... A new command vignette, painted by Mark Allen, based by me.

 

 

This is Phillipe Dejean, Duc d'Orly, one of the key French commanders in the forthcoming Pils-Holstein campaign.

Below, the reverse of the flag includes an interpretation of the d'Orly family crest (d'Orly is apparently root of my own surname) as it was described to me around 1990 by one of those "trace your family history" people who have stands in shopping arcades in towns around the country. Its accuracy is, of course, questionable, but when it comes to commanders' flags and insignia, I'm always open to a little creativity and imagination.



That's all for now...
But, yes, it is my intention to post more often... Thank you for your patience.

More French

Here's the latest French regiment to roll off the production line:
Normandie Regt.

Painting and flags by Mark Allen. Basing by me.

This brings the French forces to full strength for the Partizan show.
Just a couple of command pieces, wagons and guns to finish, and we're there!

Next Unit Please!

The Prussians are here!
The infantry are starting to arrive into Pils-Holstein in some force


Here are the latest units in my 18th century Pils Holstein collection.
They have been forming an orderly queue ready for basing for a couple of weeks. Ironically, immediately they were finished, a further unit joined the basing queue!

First up, Prussian regiment IR7 Bevern.

Painted by David Jarvis, flags by Mark Allen. Basing by yours truly.

Next, French regiment Bourbon. I was going to say, "These really take the biscuit," but that would be a pun too far!
Painting and flags by Mark Allen.



At the weekend, Mark and I also pushed some lead around the tabletop, more of which anon perhaps.
But here's a couple of pictures to be going on with...
.

Above: French commanders consider their options.

Below, the French force is now 6 infantry battalions strong, plus Grassins. Happy with progress, so far...

 

 

For those who are attending the Partizan show in Newark at the end of May, you will see this French force taking to the field in a large multi-player game being organised by Graham Cummings - a collaborative effort from all the guys over at the AMG Forum.

Looking forward to it...

 

Meanwhile, back to basing more French!!