Tempus Fugit

....or something like that!

Ironically these last few months of inactivity have coincided with a more regular return to my club which I have been enjoying. No piggie activity I am afraid, but plenty of gaming (well for me anyway!)

I am very excited about the new set of rules curently in playtest from Peter Pig, Washingtons Army covering the AWI. I have long thought that the AWI would be a good subject for Mr Pig to tackle. Small battles, tatty uniforms that for some troop types that could be used for either side and in keeping with the whole Pig philosophy in my eyes. They are very much based around Battles in the Age of War/Civil War Battles/Bloody Barons and seem to take the best bits of each set. This 'model' that Mr Pig first really used in Regiments of Foote has developed and evolved with each set. They dont bog down in detail, aiming for a strict balance between giving a good game and arriving at a plausible result.

Of course Martin has promised an entire range of figures to complement the rules, the first of which are out now, with the major release anticipated around spring next year. Which means I must kick on and finish a couple of projects before diving in to the AWI when the rules and figures come out.

The Wars of the Roses is close to first stage completion. I have always planned to put on 'Towton' at Alumwell next year. I would say I am 75% done on figures. I still have 5 more units of retinue to buy/paint plus the paraphenalia of dead markers and the like. They are all primed and ready for the brush. As Towton was characterised by a snow covered landscape, the old fall back of a white sheet sprayed with patches of brown and green will represent that small corner of Yorkshire with sculpted hills underneath and leafless trees in the wooded area. Should look nice. It certainly does in my minds eye!

Samurai have been waiting patiently for the brush treatment since Salute (how long ago??!!) I am determined to make a start on these before Christmas, even if its only 1 or 2 units I will pluck up the courage to get them under way. The Perry Miniatures website is great for painting ideas for Samurai which I will peruse and digest.

The Samurai will be similar to my experience with the Wars of the Roses in that I am sure it will take a short while to get used to the figures in my hands before I get into top gear with the brush. I often find myself wondering what different bits are on a figure and what colour they should be painted. I found on the Wars of the Roses that the first few units were a bit of a hodge podge whilst I got used to what different bits were before reaching some consistency. Later units I have found myself putting less colour on, using a Coat 'd Arms Brown (leather I think) for all boots, bows, shafts, straps and the like. Once Army Painter dip goes on it all comes together nicely. At least when viewed from arms length!

So as we head towards winter I need to take stock of what I have achieved and where i have fallen down. I will do a more complete retrospective closer ot years end but for now....

1) More gaming at the club in the second half of the year with less gaming at home.
2) Failure to keep up my painting output from the first quarter of the year.
3) Still several projects that haven't hit the radar (ie still in the loft/under the painting table) inclduing Ancient Germans and Romans/Spanish Civil War/WW1/Cowboys/early WW2/Pirates
4) Built alot of scenary for my club, WFB WH40K mostly.
5) Failed to attend some Piggie events that I wanted to get to
6) Made it down to STABs PBI day (possibly my highlight of the year!)

Work wise I managed to transfer to a place of work much closer to home with a 20 minute drive to work rather than over an hour. Shifts still interfere with my face to face gaming more than I would like but thats out of my control for the time being.

Since early September I have had one illness and one injury at work both of which hospitalised me for a short time, the second of which is still affecting me somewhat but thats the nature of my work! Getting through it now though so no excuses.

I have professional work related exams in around 10 months time which I need ot knuckle down and study for (should have done these last month but pulled out). I am convinced this should not hit my hobby time too much. It's all about time management which I have never been great at. I will moan at my lack of time to get stuff down but then end up reading blogs like this for several hours whilst Lisa watches whatever she has Sky+'ed. I need to cut back on my time on-line and actually get more stuff done with my lead pile. An hour here or there can be very productive as I found out earlier in the year. Also I think I am going to aim for at least 1 game a month at home, in addition to 2-3 nights at the club. Not too much to ask, and certainly room for more gaming where possible.

I will in all liklihood cut back on the shows I attend (not that I have over done it this year!). My main deciding factor will be Peter Pig attendance to take advantage of the 10% off for preorders. I will be less inclined to take leave to attend though, saving some leave for RFCM games days organised by Stewart or Miles down south. York, Alumwell, Partizan and possibly Warfare and Derby will be my target shows, nicely spread over the year. No Sheffield unless i am off and at a loose end. No Salute either, possibly to make way for a trip to Fisticuffs, we'll see.

So plans, ideas and thoughts. Who said no plan survives contact with the enemy? What do they know!!!!

More soon....................