Olpae 426BC

 We continued our progress through the Peloponnesian War with another showdown between the Athenians and Spartans, each with allies.  Martin as Eurylochus led the Spartans (right) while John as Demosthenes led the Athenians, assisted by Tim C.

 As usual many of the toys were genuinely ancient - these (Spartan) hoplites being veterans of at least 40 campaign seasons!

 The Athenians looked more like clean living lads.

 The Spartans opened hostilities on the left...

 ...but the offensive soon stalled.

 A general Spartan advance followed...

 ...and the main bodies of both armies were soon in contact...

 ...and dead hoplites were soon piling up.

 On of the casualties was none other than Eurylochus himself - his demise being followed by that of his subordinate!

 The finger of Demosthenes points - at er, Demosthenes.

 As usual this game went to the wire - with victory possible for either side as the casualties mounted.

 By now these peltasts were the Spartan's strongest unit!

The coupe de grace was administered by Demosthenes and his chums - killing off an already damaged light infantry unit to secure victory.

The Long Walk Home

I hope you'll support my son Louis in this excellent charitable endeavour.  He's already secured a £500 donation from the St. James's Place Charitable Foundation but more is needed!  Please feel free to repost this on your own blogs. 

Link

The Long Walk Home is Haig Housing’s national event commemorating the centenary of the ending of the First World War. The event will consist of a pilgrimage on foot of 100 Veterans and Serving Personnel from across the United Kingdom who will walk the 100 miles from the Menin Gate in Ypres to the Cenotaph in Whitehall, timed to arrive for the National Service of Remembrance on Sunday 11^th November 2018. Planned as a mark of respect to those who died in the Great War, it will also raise funds for the charity.

My name is Louis Blackwell and I am a serving member of the Royal Navy. I am proud to have been selected to be one of the walkers for the Long Walk Home. I will be walking 25 miles on 4 consecutive days from Belgium to London. The walk will begin at Ypres in Belgium - scene of three major battles and Headquarters of the British salient in the First World War.

I will be walking for those who came home and those who didn’t.

Haig Housing Trust started its life to meet the needs of Veterans returning from the Great War. Today they aim to provide homes at affordable rents to the ex-Service community, providing tailored housing solutions to severely wounded and disabled Veterans.

“The Long Walk Home recognises the great sacrifice given by so many and the pilgrimage to walk the route from Flanders to the Cenotaph to take part in the National Act of Remembrance by today’s serving personnel and Veterans will be a poignant commemoration”. General Sir John McColl KCB CBE DSO

I would be grateful if you felt able to support me in raising funds for the Long Walk Home. Please make your donation at my JustGiving page

Thank you for your support.

Holiday shopping

In late September/early October we had a couple of weeks away in the Netherlands.  While touring (in the Command Bus - as seen here) we again visited Den Helder.  This has nothing to do with the motorhome parking being (a) very nice and (b) bang next to the Dutch Naval Museum.

While there I felt it would be rude not to visit the rather good model shop.  Sadly this is now at the other side of town but we have bikes.  As indeed does everyone in that country.

A brisk 3km of pedalling duly brought us to the requisite emporium wherein I uncovered a few bargains.  Accustomed to the brand Marklin being a prelude to a ruinous price tag, I was pleased to secure the bridge above for a reasonable amount,

More so this even larger structure (c40cm long), seen here with a Solido Sdkfz251 standing in for Hauptsturmfuhrer Grabner's finest.  Did I mention I'd been at Arnhem and Oosterbeek a few days earlier?

Aeronavale Corsair part 2

With the kit built and base coated I faced up to,the tricky task of painting the yellow and black ‘invasion stripes’. Some thin masking tape came to the rescue here and the result was less appalling than it might have been.