Five Million Page Views!

At some point last week, 28mm Victorian Warfare passed the rather astonishing milestone of 5,000,000 page views.  Now, if I'm entirely honest, page views don't quite carry the significance they once did. There was a time when I would check the counter with almost comical regularity, convinced that every refresh somehow validated my latest ramblings.  Inevitably, I suspect I contributed rather more to the total than was strictly necessary!  Nowadays, with bots happily trawling the internet and mysterious visitors appearing from every corner of the globe, the number itself is perhaps a rather blunt instrument; even so... five million is still five million.

More importantly, though, this cozy corner of the Blogosphere has never really been about statistics. It has always been somewhere to record projects, celebrate successes, confess failures, more recently involving superglue or Milliput, and occasionally persuade perfectly sensible people that peanuts are a legitimate modelling material.  What continues to amaze me is the company it has kept.

Over the years I've had the privilege of corresponding with hobbyists from all over the world. Many have become familiar names in the comments, several have become genuine friends and all have helped make this hobby richer, kinder and considerably more enjoyable than it would ever have been sat alone at the painting table.

The recent Forgotten Heroes challenge reminded me of exactly that. Whilst I was delighted with how Captain Caveman eventually emerged from his peanut shell, the real joy came from the conversations it sparked and the encouragement shared throughout the month. It reminded me that blogs still have something rather special to offer in an age of fleeting social media posts.

So whether you've been following along since my earlier Victorian campaigns first marched onto the table, discovered the blog through a fondness for obscure cartoons, or simply dropped in looking for scenery ideas before deciding to stay awhile, thank you.

Five million views is a pleasing statistic, but the friendships are the part that truly matters.  Here's to whatever absurdity finds its way onto the workbench next.

Every Journey Needs Somewhere to End

Season 10, Episode 7

If I am entirely honest, I was not at all sure that this final post was going to happen. June has rather galloped past in the manner of an escaped cavalry charger and whilst Forgotten Heroes itself draws to a close, work, travel and the general business of real life have conspired to leave precious little time at the hobby desk. The irony, of course, is that this has been one of the most enjoyable hobby months I have experienced in many years. There have been peanuts, there has been sculpting, there has been resin and there has even been language that would certainly have caused my late Grandmother to raise an eyebrow. Most importantly, however, there has been friendship.

One of the genuine pleasures of taking part in Forgotten Heroes has been reconnecting with old friends, discovering new projects and being reminded exactly why this particularly cosy corner of the blogosphere is so special. To Jez and Roger, whose continued enthusiasm keeps this splendid enterprise alive year after year, I owe a considerable debt of thanks. Without their efforts I rather suspect Captain Caveman would still be little more than an optimistic peanut sitting on a supermarket shelf.

Yet there remained one final task.  Captain Caveman himself had yet to make his formal appearance and no self-respecting prehistoric superhero can simply be left standing alone upon a gaming table; he requires a home and naturally that home sits atop the roof of a van.  The Teen Angels, as readers of a certain age will doubtless remember, travelled in a somewhat distinctive vehicle which served much the same purpose as the Mystery Machine, Mystery Incorporated's trusty van. This presented an obvious opportunity, namely the construction of Cavey's rooftop cave.  What could possibly go wrong?

Quite a lot, as it happens.  After a little searching I discovered a suitable STL file on the Crooked Dice website which appeared promising enough. At £6 it seemed worth the risk and after all, what is Forgotten Heroes if not an opportunity to make questionable purchasing decisions? Or is that just me?  Unfortunately the model appeared rather more suited to resin printing than my own somewhat agricultural FDM printer and the initial attempts were, to be charitable, deeply disappointing.

At this point I once again sought the wisdom of the estimable Simon Moore, who very kindly pointed out the entirely obvious solution, "turn it upside down."  One occasionally encounters moments in life when another person says something so self-evident that one immediately wonders why one had not thought of it oneself. This was one such occasion and of course, the next print proved vastly more successful.

Knowing that the roof would ultimately disappear beneath Cavey's cave, I was not overly concerned by minor imperfections and so attention turned towards constructing the rocky summit itself. A sheet of plasticard provided the foundation and a quantity of leftover epoxy sculpt was spread across the surface and encouraged into something vaguely resembling the cave seen in the original cartoons.  Rocks were added, texture appeared and optimism returned.

A little textured paste introduced some variation and before long the whole thing began to take on a distinctly prehistoric appearance. At this point the bits box once again came to the rescue. Buried deep amongst decades of accumulated treasures I discovered some forgotten prehistoric trees from Steve Barber Models which, much like Captain Caveman himself, had apparently been waiting patiently for their moment to shine.

The cave itself proved an absolute joy to paint and for a brief and entirely unfamiliar period everything proceeded exactly as planned.  This naturally made me suspicious.  There remained, however, one final detail.  No cave upon the roof of a van can reasonably be accessed by conventional means and so a ladder was required. Two coffee stirrers, split and sanded, provided the uprights whilst small plastic bones were lashed into place with wire and secured with superglue.  It is, I freely admit, completely ridiculous, which is probably why it has become my favourite detail.

As I write this final dispatch the model is still not entirely as completed as far as I would have liked. There remain details to finish, logos to paint and the cave to permanently fix to the wagon.  Yet perhaps there is something rather fitting about that.  Forgotten Heroes has never really been about finishing. It has been about beginning. About rediscovering forgotten characters, rediscovering old enthusiasms and, in my particular case, rediscovering the pleasure of writing and sharing my experiences with this most wholesome of hobbies with friends.

So before the final credits roll, I should like to offer again my sincere thanks to Jez and Roger for once again organising this splendid annual lunacy, and to all those who have taken the time to read, comment and encourage throughout the month.  Your responses to this slightly absurd prehistoric adventure have meant far more than I can properly express.  But what of Cavey, I hear some ask  Surely he must now make his grand entrance. After all, one suspects he has been lurking somewhere in the background all month, glaring through his whiskers and waiting for precisely the right moment to shout:

Captain CAAAAAAAAAVEMAAAAAAAN!

Happy Christmas Chumrades!

It had been brought to my attention that a year has passed since my last post.  Somewhat aghast at this fact, I resolved to do something about it, once the long Michaelmas term came to a close.  Now, as I sit here, tring to write this post, I am not entirely sure where to begin.  I had thought that I would simply just document another completed part of a collection that has already gathered dust, but somehow this didn't seem to be enough.  

This most humble of weblogs was conceived to document my exploits in our most wholesome of hobbies, building on the sense of community first encountered at the Gentlemen's Wargames Parlour; a wonderful forum for likeminded chaps.  The support and advice received during these times was what kept me inspired.  Working, essentially in isolation, the interaction that grew through the blog meant the world to me as ideas would be shared and genuine progress made.  Some of my closest Wargaming friends were met through this interaction and whilst we manage to meet up once a year for a game, there just never seems to be enough time to move ideas along.

I am essentially a very private person and so find outpourings of emotionally charged material difficult.  As such, I am simply going to report that myself and the saintly Mrs. Awdry are well.  Personal circumstances have thrown up a few difficulties that we strive to overcome.  With the day job, I am looking at stepping back from pastoral responsibilities in the hope that this might help to give me the headspace that I need to address the work/life balance that is clearly askew at present.  In short, I miss my chumrades.  I started Facebook and Instagram accounts in a bid to make that connection 'easier' but even these have dried and turned to dust.

So what is to be done?  I enjoy writing the posts, I imagine I am sitting in a Gentleman's Club at the end of the nineteenth century as I do, where nothing but good manners will be tolerated - utter tosh, but nonetheless this is often my starting point to generate themes and ideas.  That said, I have found Blogger to become very 'clunky', something that I am sure is down to 'cookies' or the settings, but just replying to comments or even commenting on others' work has become so painful that I just haven't the time to commit to it.  To not interact like this has caused me the most concern, it is essentially what is at the heart of the community, it just seems rude to me to not reciprocate if someone has taken the time to comment on your work.  Yet this is the dilemma I face - some interaction, or none at all?  Surely a 'like' is better than loneliness?  

So then, '28mm Victorian Warfare' is to continue.  I will write posts as, and when, I have the time, but they will essentially be for my own satisfaction.  I shall also look to post more on Instagram and continue to use Facebook for following wargaming groups and connecting with friends, do please seek me out.  There will be no 'targets' on the blog anymore, it is here simply as a journal.  

So here is to you all, a very Happy Christmas.  

The cost of neglect

 It would be fair to say that things are not going as I had hoped.  All is well, relatively speaking, although Uncle Covid has visited both myself and the 'Saintly Mrs. Awdry' for a second time.  We seem to escape his visits unscathed, but it throws our respective day jobs into turmoil as we navigate the public health advice and that of our own respective institutions.  It is the day job, good reader, that is putting paid to my hobby time.  I suspect age and failing eyesight play their part, but I just don't seem to find the quality time to indulge in a spot of painting or model making as easily as I used to.

So it was that I found myself contemplating a photograph of an empty desk in a bid to make some sort of progress with my meagre task of a post a month.  As I was sitting there, gently dusting the surfaces of this forgotten refuge, I spied my latest eBay win, still securely packaged in its bubblewrap and decided to share this with you instead.

By way of context, I need to share something of a backstory with you, which goes as follows.  A cruel reminder of just how long it has been since I last painted anything, I noticed that the water in my trusty plastic water pot had completed evaporated.  As I marvelled at this phenomena, the bone dry receptacle in hand, I gave it a gentle squeeze, thinking that this might dislodge the dried film of what was once dirty water from its sides.  To my dismay there was a loud crack and the grim realisation dawned that I had done for my old friend.  We had been together since art school, this was a genuine tragedy, what was I to do?

Setting aside my grief for a moment, I gazed teary eyed around the table, the pitiful sight of long abandoned projects did little to lift my moral, but then my eyes fell on my couple of Denby Stoneware pieces, a small milk jug that I use for storing my brushes and a storage pot, resplendent with guardsmen transfers that holds my smaller tools.  I wonder, thought I as I stroked my bristled chin, could there be something in this range to replace my poor lost friend?  

As luck would have it, with a mere couple of minutes of web based research, a likely contender in the shape of a jam pot without lid, was unearthed.*   Enthusiastically placing my bid, the minimum required, I sat back and waited.  A couple of days later I was notified that I had won and gladly paid the monies required, although it irked somewhat that the postage and packing was going to be greater than the object itself!  My long serving water pot was replaced. 

*Made from the exact same clay too!

There is nothing hugely remarkable about Denby Stoneware.  These particular pieces are Denby Manor Green, which is perhaps one of the oldest ranges and one that is instantly recognisable as a classic Denby design. First issued in 1938, from a design by Donald Gilbert, the pieces were finished in a rich sage green glaze with a cream interior.  Production continued until the late 1970s and as such they have a certain charm that we now refer to as 'retro'.  For me they just feel familiar, items that despite their age just do their job, perhaps an allegory for this tired schoolmaster?  Regardless, I am determined to christen my new acquisition during the Easter holidays, although as to what gets painted is anyone's guess!

Happy New Year 2022!

 

A very Happy New Year to all that pass by the pages of '28mm Victorian Warfare', here's to a fabulous 2022 and whatever it may bring you.  For yours truly, my immediate focus is to reconnect with a hobby that has brought me so much joy and fostered friendships around the world, yet has been sadly lacking in my life of late.  

2021 has not been a good year for many of us, but I am determined not to let the difficulties that it presented define who I am.  That said much has changed and so it is with a degree of caution that I launch into this latest foray of the most wholesome of hobbies.  Gone is the self congratulatory review of the year, simply because there has been very little to crow about, but I do hope to show a meagre increase in production over the coming months.

Changes to my role at work and difficulties with the infrastructure have caused an unprecedented level of frustration that has seen any joy stymied.  As a result, I withdrew in upon myself, not seeming capable of producing anything noteworthy to share.  That's not to say that 2021 was a completely devoid of hobby love and as I reacquaint myself with the intricacies of Blogger I see I have 46 draft posts!  Many of these are nothing more than titles or references to ideas that I wanted to try, but nonetheless they present a tangible resource to mine in the coming months. 

I am making no predictions, nor targets, just a tentative first step, back to a world of creativity that has been sadly devoid of late.  With that comes the tantalising prospect or re-connecting with a great many of you that I have become to know as friends.  Throughout my self imposed absence, I was truly buoyed by the many messages enquiring after my whereabouts, gestures that have inspired me to remove the virtual dust sheets from this tired old weblog.  Decisions as to whether one continues with Blogger can wait, for now let me, once again, wish you all a happy and prosperous start to the year.

Thank you N.H.S.

Being of a somewhat sensitive disposition, I find the idea of public displays of affection truly terrifying.  Imagine my horror then, when the Saintly Mrs. Awdry announced that we needed to step over the threshold of 'Awdry Towers' and show our appreciation of the National Health Service with a spirited round of applause.  "But I have my slippers on", I explained, all to no avail, as I was ousted from the armchair and presented to the street.  This became my routine every Thursday night at eight o'clock, it was all very strange, but even I had to admit that there was a palpable sense of community and hope as I cringed my way through the longest minute of the week.

Social afflictions aside, I am of course delighted to show my support of the National Health Service and was thrilled when another opportunity presented itself in the form of this splendid miniature produced by 'Empress Miniatures'.  This representation of a WWII Combat Nurse is sculpted by Paul Hicks and money raised by its sale will go to British National Health Service Charity, RCN Foundation COVID-19 Support Fund.

I love this photograph of the Canadian medical staff that Paul had used as his inspiration for the sculpt and it transpires, rather charmingly, that Lt. Woolsey is the grandmother of a good friend of his.  There is a sense of calm and professionalism about the trio in the foreground, who will no doubt finish their mugs of tea and step back into the war without a second thought for their own safety; a spirit of duty and sacrifice clearly in evidence to this day with our own nurses on the 'front line'.

Stay Safe.

Do you know where you're going to?

Do you like the things that life is showing you…

A huge thank you to those good folk that have been in touch or given me a gentle nudge to see if all is well.  I am happy to report that we are indeed keeping well and delighted to be reunited with the Saintly Mrs. Awdry, here at 'Awdry Towers'.  I don't want to dwell too much on current affairs as '28mm Victorian Warfare' has always been about my bumbling progress through this most wholesome of hobbies, but in this instance the two are intrinsically intwined so I will beg your indulgence.

It was, of course, inevitable, but when I heard the news that 'Salute 2020' was, in effect, cancelled I have to confess it rather took the wind from my sails.  James and I had been working hard to meet the deadline and we were on course to have everything done for the show, only to hear that there was to be no show.  We had done so much, committed so much time and effort only to see it snatched from us.  I struggled for a week, not knowing how to react, but the reality was that there was a much more pressing concern and that we all needed to play our part.  As a school we were mindful that we needed to be ready for the enforced closure, making sure our systems were in place to support the pupils remotely.  We remain open, albeit with a skeleton staff to support the needs of the Keyworkers' children and to care for the remaining boarders who were still trying to secure flights home.  With the rest of the country on lock down I was effectively living in a bubble, and because I was a residential member of staff, able to give additional time to the remaining boards.  

By the end of last week, the final touches were made to the last board and that is where I have had to leave it.  Deciding that it would be an indefensible position to be caught goofing around, photographing the final set up at this time of National crisis, James and I are resigned to waiting it out before our project can be reunited and shared as it was intended.  How this will come about is still an unknown at present, although ideas are forming.  I am hopeful that this period of 'Staying Home' will allow me to finish off some more of the miniatures, characters and extras that were planned along with the opportunity to catch up with the many splendid weblogs that I so enjoy following.

I have taken the liberty of updating the logo for the project, as the 'South London Warlords' have very kindly acknowledged that we are eligible to take our place at the show in 2021 and, whilst James and I are yet to confirm, this remains very much a possibility.  Returning to my somewhat obscure title for this post, the future uncertain; health, wellbeing and even job security are all unknown at this point, but these are all, in most cases, beyond my control.  What I would like to champion and celebrate is the sense of community that pervades throughout our cosy corner of the infoweb.  I have mentioned already the gestures of concern that have nudged me back to the painting desk along with the genuine acts of kindness like those that offered to help paint the remaining troops - thank you again Tamsin, Matt, Iain and Richard!

Uncertain and unsettling times these may be, but I hope that we can all continue to help each other with our mutual support and appreciation of each others' endeavours.  Stay safe and well, one and all.

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Help Needed!

Dearly beloved, loyal followers, dare I say friends?  We need your help!  All is well, in fact both James and I have been very busy producing some of our best work to date, but time is getting away from us and we simply haven't had the opportunity to share with you as much as we would have liked.  Many will also be aware that my presence around the many splendid weblogs that I enjoy so much has also dipped somewhat of late, but I am hoping you will forgive me this dereliction of duty as we plough every minute we can in to getting ready for 'Salute 2020'.

To that end, I was wondering if there were any good folk that might be willing to lend me their brushes?  I have 35 SS Troops that need to be completed before the show and far too many distractions demands on my time.  The miniatures are all primed and bases completed, but that is as far as it goes.  I am afraid that I have very little to offer other than my unending gratitude and credit for the work completed.  Sadly, given the time constraints, I imagine that this offer for internet immortality is only really open to UK based hobbyists? 

In these unsettling and uncertain times, James and I are totally committed to bringing the project to a conclusion and would really appreciate any offers of help.  If you think that this might be something that you would like to do, perhaps a couple of miniatures, half a dozen or even more then do please get in touch at...

twenty eight millimetre (the first part written as numerals and abbreviations) little men at g mail dot (just a full stop will suffice) com

My apologies for the unnecessarily cryptic address, (I should also point out that there are no spaces either!) but I am led to believe that this helps to reduce the likelihood of additional unwanted spam, something we are already plagued with.

Thank you,

Michael

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Getting properly excited!

Just a very short post this morning as I have so much to do, but couldn't resist sharing this.  The South London Warlords have released the floor plan for 'Salute 2020' and so we can show you where to find us!  This is hugely exciting and just a little bit terrifying as what started as a throw away suggesting is now an expectation.  Our official blurb reads...

GL09

Beechwood Tabletop Gaming Club

Participation

The Battle for Schloss Itter

In late WW2, an unlikely alliance of Wehrmacht soldiers, American G.I.s and French Prisoners of War defend an Austrian castle from SS Troops.

Saturday 18th April 2020 is fast approaching and James has been turning his attention, and considerable talents, to designing and making a steel frame for the boards so that they can be transported in the back of his van!  Meanwhile, I have all but completed two boards and James has prepped the third for me to start next week.  This has taken slightly longer than originally envisaged as every time I think I have finished, I remember something else we said that we would do.  This week it has been cutting back into one of the 'finished' boards to establish the last resting place of James' Storch.

So as I sign off this morning it is back to the painting desk that has no less than three started elements on the go and with no rugby to distract me this weekend, I am hoping to push these on a little.   More to follow shortly, I hope! 

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2019 a year in review...

...and targets for 2020.

I do find these self indulgent posts fascinating as they afford me the opportunity to reflect on the previous year to see what, if anything, has changed.  Last year's review spoke of weathering a storm and the difficulties we faced at work, ever hopeful that these would be banished in 2019.  Sadly this wasn't to be the case and within a matter of months 2019 threw a metaphorical spanner into the works, one that demanded a complete change of perspective.  We have adapted, worked on solutions throughout the year and will need to continue to do so, but we are well and happy and for that I give thanks.

It would appear that I have become more resilient to such challenges and sought solace, once more, in this most wholesome of hobbies.  In 2018 the difficulties faced took a heavy toll on hobby production, but last year I am pleased to report progress was more consistent and posts to my beloved, '28mm Victorian Warfare' increased, somewhat, to bring them more in line with my personal expectations.  

At this point, I would like to publicly thank, James Walters Esq. for all he has done in support of one chap's hobby.  James will be mortified by such overemotional outpourings, but as I look back over the year's efforts it is clear that his enthusiasm for the hobby, his skill and unfailing good nature are all responsible for a number of the pieces coming to fruition.  James' Pegasus Bridge project, and his graciousness in allowing me to attach myself to it, proved just the distraction required at the most difficult of times.  It has also spawned the 'Schloss Itter' adventure that continues to demand as much hobby time as I can afford it and we look forward to sharing this with a wider community in 2020.  Thank you James.

There were, however, casualties again this year namely the themed months that I so enjoy.  'Zomtober', 'Dinovember' and 'Forgotten Heroes' were all missed again and this year has seen me not compete in the 'X Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge'.  That said, unlike 2018, my omission from such events was due to being happily distracted elsewhere!  Hobby Bingo was a new addition to the blog, inspired by the talented Rob Hawkins, but again I am not sure that I did this justice and so may need to rethink it for next year.  So, gentle folk a much shorter review than those of previous years, but as I write it I am buoyed by the enthusiasm of what is to come, so without any further ado, on to the review of last year's targets:

1 Play more games! Target Met! X-Wing Miniatures Game and Space Cadets: Away Missions continue to be popular at school whilst Star Wars: Legion saw myself meet up with  Messrs Bull and Templar to fight it out over the snow covered ice fields of a remote planet near Ashford.  Sadly no game hosted at Awdry Tower's this year, but one is hopeful that a rematch in the desert wastes of Westham might be on the cards for the summer 2020?

2 Maintain a credible level of posts throughout the course of the year.  Target Met!  2019 saw a return to a more consistent level of posting, not least because of my involvement in the aforementioned Pegasus Bridge and Schloss Itter projects.  Certainly fewer than in those halcyon days of 28mm Victorian Warfare's conception, but 50 posts in the year seems like a manageable, and obtainable target, and will be retained for 2020.

3 Attend at least one convention/exhibition/expo this year.  Target Met!  The annual pilgrimage to Salute 2019 was as inspiring as ever and this year myself and the 'Provost Marshal' travelled to Folkestone to see the relaunch of Euro Miniature Expo 2019.

4 I would like to try to curb the additional expenditure on miniatures this year, or at least try to bring it into line with output.  A simple tally score will suffice, hopefully something that will 'shame' me into being a little more restraint when it comes to all things hobby related.  Target Met! Painted 247 - 117 Bought = +130 in credit!  Good to see the output has increased, but so too the expenditure, which I will need to keep an eye on in these more frugal times.  

According to my tally counter the numbers are as follows*:
Painted/constructed:247
Bought:117
Balance: +130
Detailed breakdown:
Foot: 144
Mounted: 8
Artillery:
Vehicles: 9
Buildings/Terrain pieces:61
Livestock: 25
*All miniatures are 28mm scale unless otherwise stated

So what of 2020?  My primary focus will be bringing together the terrain boards for 'Schloss Itter'.  James has worked tirelessly on their design and construction to date, whilst I have tinkered around with rules and miniatures.  Now it is time for me to take the lead whilst keeping James busy with all manner of distractions that I can throw his way.  Our deadline for this is of course 'Salute 2020' and it would be lovely to see as many of you there as possible, if for no other reason than to thank you in person for all your continued support and best wishes towards the project.

I am keen to finish the desert inspired terrain for Star Wars: Legion and this might prove just the change of pace required after the castle is complete.  I am acutely aware that there are still some unopened Zombicide and Resident Evil boxes residing in the wardrobe of shame and so it might be that they finally see the light of day?  And then there is 'In Country', a hankering to dip my toe in the jungles of Vietnam.  I occasionally do this, dream up ideas, start looking at rules and make lists, so it is entirely possible that this will come to nothing, but who knows?  That said if anyone has any ideas or suggestions for skirmish level encounters in the 'Nam, then do let me know.

So time to reset the 'Tally Counter' and present, in a roughly chronological order of publication, if not creation, my efforts from 2019!