New Year Message

As 2010 draws to a close I decided to put finger to keyboard with some thoughts about the year past and the one to come.  The photo shows one of my Christmas presents.

Two funerals and a wedding.

Sadly, and as previously reported here, I lost two good friends this year: Paddy Griffith in June and John G Robertson less than a month later.  I'm sure we all keenly feel their loss - so much so in my case that I've not yet been able to write a proper obituary for John.  I believe that the best tribute we can offer them is to keep on fooling around with wargames and toy soldiers and military history in general.

It looked for a while as if there might be a third funeral after my father hurled himself down the stairs back in February, but happily he has made something of a recovery.

I managed to end the year on a high note when, on 24 December Sara and I were married at Sheffield Registry Office - in the presence of a small congregation of family and wargamers.

The year (in wargaming) ahead

I have a number of things I'd like to achieve in 2011:

Megablitz - I have a large Eastern Front game planned in February - 12 players so far and I'd like to make it 20 if I can.  Hopefully I will arrange another large game later in the year.  As regards smaller games, the Mokra scenario has been a success and I have plans for another Polish game (using 10 Mech Brigade?) and a few using Japs in Manchuria/China/Malaya.  Finish more 20mm toys including a Japanese ID, British ID, 7 Armd Div, probably more Russians and possibly some Chinese... 

NATO Brigade Commander - this has been on the back burner of late, but I have a number of WW3-based games in mind and more 6mm toys awaiting the dangerous end of the paintbrush.  These include more Soviets, together with Greeks and Austrians.

Funny Little Wars - with all 12(!) members of the Forbodian Palace Guard finished, I plan to complete a usable little army, hopefully in time for the summer.

Op14 - I have 3 or 4 scenarios in stock and would like to finish more 6mm toys - including more French and Russians, and the first of the Austrians.

Wargames events - I will be attending the following during 2011 presenting the year's new Wargame Developments participation game - Triples, Partizan, CoW, The Other Partizan.  I may also appear at a couple of other shows but there's nothing else in the diary as yet.

No doubt more distractions will present themselves during the year...

And finally

I feel that the blog has really gathered pace this year and would like to thank all readers - old friends and new, and in particular those who have commented.  It is your comments which provide much of the incentive to write new posts so please keep it up!

It remains only for me to wish you all a happy new year.  I hope to see you (UK residents at least!) during 2011.