What a Wargaming Week!

I've had quite a week this week-on Friday I enjoyed two hours in the company of my old friend and fellow wargamer,Charlie Wesencraft,who,at the age of 96, has invented a Board/Wargame which we played-and of course he won!! Also through the week I finished my Persian army(Lancashire Games) and have had a game today with them against my Spartan army-thrilling to the end,using Elephants and Scythed Chariots is not for the faint hearted!!-We also played a fast and furious Sudanese colonial game on Sunday!!

 Charlie in his wargaming room,studying his next move of his game(ACW) I hope I'm as sharp as he is when(if?) I reach 96!

Persians(on the right) arrayed against the Spartans-I deliberately painted the Persians in what I call "bonnie" colours-Brian said they look like a Unicorn has vomitted on them!!

Scythed chariots- I have yet to think of a way to use them,in a realistic way for my solo rules!

Elephant unit getting stuck into some mercenary Greeks-they didn't like it!!

Before the first clash.

First clash-Spartans knocked the first Persian line about a bit!-second Persian line(Apple Bearers) put up a stiffer fight,but Spartans are Spartans,and they prevailed!!-great stuff.

Sunday night's game now-my Egyptians are being put under a bit of pressure by Graham's Haddendowah-will the hold??

NO!!! on the otherr flank,Dave commanded the Naval Brigade,against the Dervish hordes-would he prevail???

NO!!!-these colonial games are great fun-we haven't played a one for a while and forgot some of the rules,but nevertheless we enjoyed it-roll on next week.

Games galore,and "new" member!

I am still playing my solo games,and on Sunday we had a "riveting" ancients game,but the real plus was the return of BRIAN!!!-very slimmed down but still the same old vulgarity,anecdotes etc.etc.-it was a real tonic to us all that he has made a comeback(his dice throwing was still crap!!)

A couple of photo's from my recent solo game featuring Spartans against Athenians-the Athenians have cheated by employing Elephants!!-they caused a spot of bother with the Spartan Allies,but not with the Spartans!!

Classic stuff! I can really take my time and enjoy the order writing side of these games-I may even get back to having a "tot" of rum soon!!

Now back to Sunday's game-Gauls against Romans(who else?)-Paul and Graham were Romans whilst Brian and I were the Gauls.

Graham and Brian-Brian is the slim one!!!

Scenario and troop dispositions-what the Romans didn't know was that the woods on each flank had Stakes in them hampering movement!!-sneaky.-The Romans moved forward in Testudo formation,against the barrier,negating the javelins from the Gauls-this proved to be too much for the Gauls in the ensuing melees!

The Roman advance("testudos made from bent card painted with shields!)

At first it looked good for the Gauls,with the advantage of the barrier,but pila and good dice throwing from the Romans saw the barrier quickly knocked down,and the slaughter began!!

Barrier down-Gauls stood no chance,however both flanks were hotly contested,and it turned into a near run thing-but even Brian couldn't ask for a draw!-Good game,roll on next Sunday!

A final shot of half of my Persian 15mm army(from Lancashire Games)

I have gone "beserk" with the colours-they stand out!-I also have twenty(yes twenty!) Elephants to add to the army-how I arrived at twenty is a story on its own,which will be told later!!

 

Border Reiver Show,Gateshead.

Today we gathered our passports and survival gear and headed to Gateshead Stadium.We were putting on a demo game using Paul's beautiful 7YW figures.The game and the show were great,and as usual we talked and talked and talked to everyone who showed interest about the figures,terrain,rules etc.etc.The catering facilities were next to none-a coffee van outside and a veritable feast of pies,sarnies cakes etc inside run by two charming ladies-all was set for a good day.

I didn't take many photo's,but I'm sure other more talented folk will post on their blogs!

Setting the game up-Dave had organised a simple attack/ defence scenario to showcase the figures and it worked a treat.

The hall before any "punters" arrived-there were a good smattering of traders,and of course a bring and buy stall,plus(a very good idea) a sitting area!

Doors have opened and eager folk,ladened with wads of cash descended on the trade stands-I was lead to understand that the "footfall" was about the same as last year.There was an entrance fee,but ,of course,...................................

This is Robbie Roddis,who tried to sneak in without paying,thinking that his "Invisibility Suit" would do the trick-he needs help!!!!!

Paul is talking to a half naked man-one of hundreds(not half naked!) who stopped to admire our table.

Graham,taking advantage of the huge cake portions on offer at the catering stand!

The game starts with a huge artillery duel across the table-the hall is filling up!

Catering ladies-the array of food was enormous and the portions were too!!

The Prussians,commanded by myself and Paul,start their advance-great stuff.

These have to be the cutest photo's ever taken at a wargames show(I did ask permission first)-The day ended far to soon,and it was packed away and back home for a couple of glugs of wine/beer until the next show(Battleground at Middlesbrough in November)

What a bloody disaster!

I have had a great day today,cleaning and clearing out the Club house(garage!),putting things in boxes,labeling them ,throwing away things I've hoarded for years etc.etc. and tonight I had a most interesting solo 15mm Sudanese game...................

Well,the terrain looks familiar-but with a few palm trees and Sudanese buildings,I have transported myself into the desert(all be it a tad green!).A formidable British square is working its way towards the various villages,whilst a formidable Dervish army is awaiting the order to attack!!

The formidable British square-infantry,lancers and artillery-unstoppable right???

The Dervish hordes begin their attack,whilst the left flank troops await a signal,but put down a continuous volley and artillery shower!-The square stands still awaiting the onslaught!

The left flank Dervish troops raining shit,shot and shell onto the Square!

The Dervish cavalry out-paced their infantry support,and are getting a "right old hiding" from the rifles and artillery-hurrah!

A view of the overall action-things are not going too badly at this point,although the Dervish infantry are getting closer,and closer!!

The British square has opened out to allow maximum rifle fire against the advancing Dervish-was that a wise move??

The square is being attacked from both flanks now,but the centre Dervish units have refused to move-hurrah,time to send the Lancers into action.(the Dervish cavalry have been beaten and have retired-it's good being retired!)

As two squadron of the Lancers sally forth(to their destruction!!) the Square has been broken,luckily the other two squadrons of Lancers are there to save the day(I love being optimistic!)

OMG!-when is a square not a square??Things are looking desperate-and to top it all the central Dervish troops are heading towards the "square".

As Bob Dylan would say-it's all over now baby blue!!!

An absolutely cracker of a game,and the perfect end to a perfect day.

We are all organised for Saturday's Border Reiver show at Gateshead Stadium-a 7YW spectacular!!!-come along and talk to us!