Sorry, I can't wait...

Despite my last post, I can't wait to share this particular video. 

This is for my darling bride, my wonderful child, our not child Russell, and for my good friend Alan. 

And this is what I think of....when I drive MY version of the TARDIS, which is my 2008 Ford Focus, with 402,000 plus miles. And I bought her brand new off the lot.. 

More Sunshine On Leith

 In response to a good friend of mine who lives in the Auld Sod (Scots Version) and mentioned something on his blog after a reference during the last VWC meeting... 

Boy, isn't THAT a long intro... 

One on my favourite bands from when I was a much younger person. 

Given the current mileage on my car, I might post something from this band soon. 😉

Another Sunday Update

 Sorry not coming up with a more snappy title for this post. But it's driech weather here in Virginia and while I like the course I am on, I'm already tired of living in a hotel. 

Fortunately, I have toy soldiers to paint, battlefields to walk, and the Virtual Wargames Club meetings on Saturdays to make things all ship shape and Bristol fashion. 

An officer figure I completed last night, for my upcoming New York Provincial Battalion for the French and Indian War...

As far as the rest if his men that he is supposed to lead, well, they are not too far behind.... 

All with their first coat of primer (grey Gesso) on my swanky Army Painter mat... I'll try to get another coat on the figures tonight before bedtime and that means tomorrow I can start work on the unit when I return from training. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a training mission to Virginia without the requisite perambulation of a battlefield of three. 

Two weeks ago, I wandered about three different locations, was profoundly disappointed in a fourth, and did a quick amble on a fifth. 

The first is Battery Dantzler, located not far from my hotel, which had a role in the Battle of Trent's Reach. This action happened 159 years ago this month. A force of Confederate ironclads and small craft attempted to move down the James River from Richmond and strike City Point, Grant's logistical hub. 

The attack failed, but Battery Dantzler provided fire support for the Confederate Navy. 

The view below is looking down the James River towards the scene of the fighting. 

In the below picture, you see the upriver view towards the city of Richmond, VA

There were a couple of interpretive stands present, this one had a view of the scene of action from the position in a period photograph. 

The remains of one of the gun positions 

Overall, the site is a small park managed by the county and located in an industrial area. Not the easiest to find, but quiet and well marked. 

This week finds me continuing to work on our Air Load Planning curricula. The system of record we use is good, but the skills are perishable. As I have found out to my detriment last week. Two hours of solid work this morning and my Practical Exercise was finally complete. Hmmm. 

We still have our six Formatives and the Summative looming on the horizon, as well as our physical fitness test. As failure means an early departure from the course, I think the New York Provincials may take a bit longer than I was planning. 😬

Sunday Update

 I have not been completely idle, despite those of you who happen to know me. I've just been juggling a few things and, sadly, I'm not much of a juggler... 😏

And there has been this very naughty ear infection which has been a bit of trouble. 

On the other hand, despite the frigid weather down here in Dixie Doodle Land, I've been able to keep up with my personal goal of painting four 25mm figures per day as an average. 

When I found out I was approved to come down to Virginia for a three-months course, I decided that it would be a good time to paint as much as possible. 

One of several WW1 British I've finish for my Irish War of Independence project

And, of course, everyone's OTHER favourite Italian who is NOT the subject of a Ridley Scott movie. 

I've managed to complete 41 figures for a Massachusetts Provincial battalion for the FIW, some Indigenous Peoples, and a couple of mounted officers, in addition to 20 WW1 British. 

I do have some pictures of a few battlefields I've managed to wander over last weekend. I'll get those pictures sorted out and post them soon. 

In the meantime, I've a White Paper to finish about strategic sealift (my own choice of topic) and few administrative details to attend to... 

Captain Carroll's Scout (being a reasonably truthful narrative...)

The somewhat delayed report of a nice solo game I played on New Years Day to kick off 2024. 

I have a friend in NE PA, John Carroll, aka John The OFM, who oftentimes provides grist for our club gaming shenanigans. Things like routinely being shot in the back towards the end of various skirmish games, for no better reason that we are playing a game in his basement. 

Well, for this game, Captain Increase Carroll, upstanding Puritan captain of militia in his town of Innsmouth, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, has been called upon by the Great and General Court in Boston to lead a scout to ensure the environs around the town are clear. The drums of war have been sounding throughout New England with King Philip and his Wampanoags on the warpath. They have also been inciting the Maliseets, the Abenaki, the Nipmucks, and the Great and General Court is desirous that all towns and settlements north of Boston ensure the security of the immediate areas. 

Captain Carroll chose eight stout-hearted, God-fearing Puritan men from the militia and set off to tromp around the swampy woods and bits and places around the outskirts of Innsmouth. 

Note: Eight UNO cards were shuffled and randomly placed along the general path I chose for the militia patrol. Two cards were RED, the remainder were not. RED cards were the location of the Wampanoags. The militia would have to react to any contact. As I placed them face down, I did not know where the warriors would enter. 

Not far out of town, a series of shots rang out from a small wooded rise to the left of the Militia, and, the Horror of Things! Captain Carroll was Knocked Down by a Savage's ball! (This was literally on the second turn) 

As the Savages withdraw behind cover to skulk in the woods and reload their muskets, the brave Hero, Captain Carroll, raises himself up, despite the pain of his wound and rallies his Militia. 

Hearing the noise of battle from a distance, the war chief Mugwump led another party of warriors to the sound of the fray. 

Making prisoners of two of the treacherous natives that dared fire at him and his men, Captain Carroll and the Innsmouth Militia are surprised to hear more cries and then see Mugwump and his party charging out of the forest. 

A wild melee ensues with the Militia calling upon Heaven to help them and roundly cursing their Savage assailants. 

Captain Carroll prudently orders his men to start to withdraw back to town. With two prisoners to tort..I mean, question, there is enough that has been done today. As Mugwump and his men continue to press, though, Captain Carroll see his chance. First, Captain Carroll Knocks Down Mugwump, he then makes him a Prisoner. The much-vaunted war chief is now going to suffer Righteous Justice from the Great and General Court! 

Note: Captain Carroll was able to roll three dice and got three action (being a Leader), so he was able to charge into Mugwump and do an Attack in melee. The dice went the Puritan's way (there's some irony) and Mugwump failed his rolls badly. Long story short, Carroll 1 - Mugwump 0. 

The Militia withdraw back to Innsmouth with their three prisoners. But not without loss. Mr. Butterworth, a Sap Boiler, is lost to the Wampanoags and is cruelly scalped. Widow Butterworth will have to continue the sap boiler works without him. Oh, the Hand of Fate is cruel. But that is a story for another day. Captain Carroll has a report to write. 

Postscript: It was a fun game. Maybe an hour and a half to two hours. It had been some time since I had used Songs of Drums and Tomahawks, so I had to look up things now and again. Plus, writing notes down for the narrative took time away. Sometimes I find that to be a bit of a sheet anchor when I play solo. 

It does give a good start point for a mini-campaign, though, now that Mugwump has been captured and Captain Carroll has a good reputation and all. 

I suppose we'll see where this trail goes. 

Er....Yes? And?

 My friend Dillon from the Virtual Wargames Club posted this meme in an email. And immediately I spit up my coffee and almost fell off my chair laughing. 

Sadly, I don't think he's far off the mark, at least sometimes! 

I believe I was supposed to deliver a BATREP on a recent KPW game. I suppose I should crack on with that write up... 😏