Tuesday 31 December 2013

New Year Message, 2014

So it's that time of year again?
The blog continues to feature prominently in my wargaming life, and although post numbers are slightly down on 2012 (278 as against 299), as I was aiming to post four per week I shall continue to do so.  Thank you to all who read the thing, and especially to those of you who leave comments.  They are much appreciated.

Funny Little Wars
A very active year for the 1/32 scale chaps, starting off in February with the game played by David Pinder and Julian Spilsbury which they kindly invited me to umpire.  A classic case of the partially sighted leading the blind!  Several. More tabletop games followed during the year,  but for me the real high points were the lawn games at Sandhurst.  The Little Wars Centenary event in April was a delight, and a great opportunity to meet other devotees.  The Nordic amphibious actions were fun but I really loved the Gettysburg game in July.  There will be more big games, and outline plans are afoot for a Tannenberg inspired extravaganza in 2014.
On the painting front, I completed the large but as yet unblooded Tratvian Army (think Russian) and a few ACW units and odds and ends.  Plenty more still to come.

Megablitz
For the second year running I ran a game at Shrivenham (facilitated as usual by Tom Mouat).  We used loads of toys and the players are still speaking to me, so I think I can consider it a success.  A few new toys were added.  I must give some thought to a game for 2014!
NATO Brigade Commander
A few games, mostly run by Martin using his 2mm (no really!) toys.  I don't think I have added any new (6mm) toys, but I do have some scenario ideas.  Mind you, I said that last year.....
Command & Colours - Ancient
We played a few games and I added some 'new' toys.  We continue to be very keen on this series of games and they provide consistent entertainment.  The additional toys have mostly been sourced from eBay and bring and buys at shows.  They include Egyptians, Assyrians and an assortment of hairy barbarians.  I'm sure 2014 will see regular appearances of this game.
Command & Colours - Napoleonic
A continuing favourite.  2013 saw my Spaniards, Russians and Austrians in action and no doubt we'll see them all again over the course of 2014.

Fletcher Pratt Naval Wargame
Ships from my 1/1200 fleet have seen action several times during the past year, including a rather successful game played on the lawn at Knuston in July.  Several additional ships have joined the fleet, so expect plenty more of this.
President Fred
The latest appearance of President Fred saw his alleged death (and about time too!) but I already have ideas for what may happen next in the unfortunate state of Ph'tang.

Sheffield Wargames Society
I continue in post as Chairman of SWS and am pleased to be able to report that paid up member numbers are up on last year.  New members are always welcome - see the SWS website for location details.  Triples is on 17th and 18th May 2014.

Cars
Not strictly wargaming I know, but the toys and I have to get about!
The Saab is gone - long live the er, Saab!
The 9-5 HOT Aero has made way for a 9-3 TTiD Aero. Power down from 250bhp to 180 (though much of the time you'd never know it) but turbochargers up from one to two and fuel consumption down from 35mpg to 48mpg.  And I can fit more toys in it!

13 comments:

Don M said...

Impressive list there, my own has been rather thin! Although this as you say " Tannenberg inspired extravaganza" has me thinking we on
this side of the pond should try something on the western front early
war....I just bought 13 boxes of
Armies In Plastic WWI and Franco
Prussian war sausage eating field
gray waring pointy headed fanatics....and am thinking of building a 54mm rail gun...yes
I also suffer from Teutonic giantism....blame my mom's side lol. Now to see if anyone else has the army Red or blue....)

Springinsfeld said...

Thanks for an entertaining year. Sorry I don't comment much, but I enjoy reading the posts!

Russell Phillips said...

I discovered this blog quite recently, and I don't comment much, but I just wanted to say that I'd be interested to read more about NATO Brigade Commander in 2mm.

Tim Gow said...

Don M
"Nurse - Mr Maddox's medicine. Quickly,"
Get painting Don.....

Tim Gow said...

Springinsfeld
Thanks - it's nice to know you're all out there!

Tim Gow said...

Russell Phillips
Thanks - I'm sure I can oblige on the NBC front - possibly in both 2mm and 6mm!

Russell Phillips said...

Looking forward to reading them :-)

Paul Foster said...

Another great year from the Gow Front Tim.

You have had a well balanced posting year from what I can gather, well done on that front mate.

In fact your games played is possibly the most impressive I have seen from any blogger!

All the best for 2014 and remember to add in more bodges.

Regards Paul

Tim Gow said...

Paul Foster
What can I say about the games? I am damn lucky to have a strong local club (Sheffield Wargames Society) as well as Wargame Developments and the Funny Little Wars brethren. And then there's the game by Skype I keep promising Don M...
There will be further bodging during 2014 - in fact there is one (albeit in 1/32 scale) coming together at the moment.

Mad Padre said...

Wishing you and yours a great 2014, Tim. Thanks for all the enjoyment your blog has brought me, even if I have been an intermittent follower.
If you run into a chap named Kevin White while playing Little Wars this year, pray give him my regards.
Best,
Michael

Arthur said...

Tim

Thank you for posting, and who's counting anyway?

May 2014 be a great year for you.

Regards

Tim Gow said...

Michael Peterson
Thanks Michael. I don't think I've run into Kevin so far - where does he hang out?

Tim Gow said...

Arthur
Thanks - I don't feel under too much pressure!