A welcome visitor and two games.

Since the lock down,visitors have been fairly rare at the Coutts household,so on Tuesday we were thrilled to have the one and only,legend in his own lifetime.....................................

Charlie Wesencraft!!! who popped in for a chat and a cup of coffee. He is working on a project involving making some(20) "Cogs" "Galleys" and "Merchant ships" which he is manning with 12mm figures for a little known invasion of England by a French fleet,assisted by some Scots in and around the mid/late 1300's-he is never still as far as wargaming is concerned,and I suppose that's what keeps him young at heart!
Now for the two games,played over the same terrain(lazy or what?) the first was a Peninsular game involving lots of figures!

Scenario and initial troop dispositions-a "phased" game,which worked out wonderfully well!

Phase 1: top photo shows the French attacking "hill C",bottom photo shows the French retiring(it's good being retired!) back down the hill.
This instigated Phase 2..........................

The French attack on hill "B" the centre of the British position-as you can see from the following photo's,it was a near run thing.......................

Top photo shows the French actually taking the crest of the hill,and driving some British regiments back!-However the wise old British commander(moi!) had troops positioned behind the ridge,who then drove the French back!!-whilst this was going on,Phase 3 was happening...........

2 Portuguese brigades,supported by a Scots brigade,advance to out-flank the French-I had to throw a dice to see if the French reserves,just outside the town, would react to the threat-and they did!!

A "stand-off" ensued,until the supporting French Lancers were beaten by the Port, Dragoons,forcing the French reserve infantry to go into square(note green squares!)-it would just be a matter of time before the flank was taken,but,back at the centre.......................

Volley fire,bayonet charges,melee and cavalry charges eventually forced the French to retire(it's really,really good being retired!!) and the game was over!!-this was an epic game,but using historical knowledge and very simple rules,a realistic result was achieved!
I will report the second game(which Paul took part in) tomorrow.
I took this photo yesterday,and think it's quite unusual-I called THE WIFE to come and see it,but before she came to the gate,it slammed shut and squashed the little bugger!!!-oh dear!

I've never seen a yellow snail before- I hope it had a happy,if short,life!!