Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

This looks good fun, although I haven't read the book it's based on, I do own and have read Seth Grahame's other mash-up novel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which I recommend.

I am painting and making stuff, although fairly incoherently in the background, and will post some of my latest bits and pieces soon; in the meantime, enjoy ...


That's it for now,


Monty

The World at War

This beauty is now available for the bargain price of £20 from Tesco...

All 26 episodes, fully restored with upgraded soundtrack and a further 12 hours of documentaries - unbelievable value.

As we all know, the definitive study of WW2 - probably not a good idea to watch it if you are feeling remotely melancholic though...

(Normal slow painting service to resume shortly)

That's it for now,

Monty

Picture-Free Update

Greetings!

This is a quick update as I emerge bleary-eyed from wracking up my online ratings on the fantastic Battefield 3 (see last post), to inform you all that I have also been constructive in the scratch-building arena during this period and will be posting a proper update next week - work and the rigours of life have prevented me form doing so before now...

More to follow - I can imagine the suspence must be too much for you all, for which I can only humbly apologise :)

That's it for now,

Monty

Three days to go...

Wargames (Soldiers and Strategy) Magazine

When it comes to wargaming, I am without doubt a 'lighweight'; only having returned to the hobby two years ago after a twelve-year absence and certainly not up there with the 'big hitters' that I regularly see (and admire) at shows and among these hallowed electronic sites.

With all this preamble blurb in mind then, it is unsurprising that my sighting and subsequent purchasing of this previously unseen gem caused such a pleasant surprise to me whilst visiting my local WH Smith newsagent.

A fantastic, unbiased read full of diverse  articles which  is a world apart from Wargames [FOW] Illustrated...

I am probably the last 'war gamer' on Earth to see this magazine, but will certainly be supporting it in the future...great stuff!


That's it for now,


Monty

Imperial War Museum

Karen and I had an excellent trip last weekend to the Imperial War Museum, London which really is worth a visit if you ever find yourself in the capital, especially as it is free admission (as all museums should be).

The last time I had a look round this impressive display was way back in '82 as a schoolboy, so this  was long overdue. It was noticeable from the outset that in my prolonged absence a great deal of money had been spent updating and modernising the interior as well as adding to the excellent collection of exhibits.

One of the stand out features  is the human connection outlined behind almost every exhibit; most have  tales to tell from the Tamzine - the smallest of the 'Small Ships' that sailed to and from Dunkirk to Montgomery's Grant tank 'Monty'.

Example of the atomic bomb 'Fat Man' dropped on Hiroshima in 1945

Bronze Nazi eagle salvaged from the roof of the Reichstag in 1945 following the fall of Berlin, the numerous bullet holes across it perfectly evoking the ferocity of that struggle.

And some of the rest...

An all round great day was had which was not nearly long enough, as in addition to the static exhibits there were numerous tours including the London Blitz Experience, WW1 Trench and a very moving and educational Holocaust memorial.

All the best,

Monty

Paint Station Madness

Nothing much to report quite yet, only a poorly executed and quick snap-shot into some of my current erratic and chaotic painting projects....

At the front, 1/72nd scale Italeri Late Imperial Legion legionaries to be (eventually) used in my recently acquired THW Rally Round the King rules set.

To the rear right of them, my next batch of 6mm Baccus Roman archers and Auxilia, to their right, some more of my 13-year 15mm Essex Celts project, to their rear, a self-indulgent couple of my favourite Airfix 1/32nd WW2 German Infantry troops, part of their recently re-released classic figures range.

Somewhere, there is a GW Ork too, which I'm painting up on an ad-hoc basis purely out of curiousity; and finally some cleaned-up and recently based Dixon Gunfight at the OK Corral cowboys...

This is just a tiny insight into why, with my limited painting 'windows' I achieve next to nothing generally I suppose...doh!

Oh, well...

Regards,

Monty

Situation Report

A Happy New Year to all my fellow bloggers/gamers/painters etc!

As 2011 approaches I am in the pit of despair; over two weeks have passed now since I picked up a paint brush while all the time reading of you chaps happily painting away - it's getting too much to bear!  The same goes for my beloved xbox (Battlefield: Bad Company 2) and PC (Total War) ...

To add to my woes, I have been struck with this bloody flu-like virus (man-flu, apparently) that is doing the rounds in Britain at the moment; which means I haven't been able to console myself by drowning my sorrows or ravaging my woman - it's a bloody hopeless situation!

Finally, finally, I reached for my copy of the classic Guns at Batasi which Karen thoughtfully got me for Christmas, only for us to then realise that Amazon had sent the Region 1 version...AAGGGHHH!!

 You couldn't make it up...

Oh, well, roll on 2011, that's all I can say - best wishes!

Monty

Medieval Gate House

No gaming or painting going on at the moment with Christmas looming, my painting kit back in London and withdrawal symptoms starting to bite. However, I thought this little bit of trivia may be of interest to one or two of you out there during the festive ruck...

During the usual Christmas round of visiting family and friends, the other half and I stayed in  the town of Monmouth, South Wales, which is near my parents' home. The town, among other things is the birth place of Henry V (we stayed at a pub in Agincourt Square) and still has a strong medieval feel about it, and along with a Norman castle built shortly after the conquest, boasts this fortified gate house.

Built in 1270 to protect the approach to the town across the River Monnow, it is the only surviving example of its kind left in Britain. During its lifetime it has served as a gatehouse, gaol and town mint.  Seen here from the western approach to Monmouth, it  still represents an imposing and impressive sight.

The view from the town side of the Monnow bridge, the gate house's large, heavy wooden doors are no longer present now; however, one can imagine them being slowly drawn open by the sentries once any due tolls have been paid etc prior to leaving town - brilliant stuff!

Well, that ends my tenuous 'festive' entry in lieu of any real gaming updates and only remains for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

All the best,

Monty 

Monty's Big Christmas Push

To my loyal legion of faithful followers camped out there overlooking my ceaseless blogging industry; I send you (early) Christmas greetings and notice that I am now mounting a new Christmas 'push' that will distract me from all things creative.

The call of women from foreign shores (yes, really), wine and song have clouded my mind, ruining my painting concentration. Expect normal slow service to resume early in the New Year when it all inevitably goes horribly wrong.

In the meantime, these new blighters from Perry will definately be on my target list in January.

All the best,

Monty