There comes a time in every project when you start to worry that you are not making the progress that you should. It doesn’t matter if this is the slog through a unit of troops or a substantial terrain build, the thoughts are the same, ‘will I ever finish?’ James and I have been having similar feelings regarding the Castle build and so we took the opportunity to take stock of progress, assembling the four boards that make up the playing area and arranging the elements that we have done to date.
Since the return from the half term break, James has been working solidly on establishing the road way between the Gatehouse and the Castle. This has not proved as straight forward as it sounds given the lack of readily available photographic evidence, but James, as ingenious as ever has come up with several clever solutions that hint at the castle’s past whilst expanding the playing area. As this was the first time we had seen the four boards in situ, as it were, the enormity of what needs to be done hit home and has galvanised us to push on with the landscaping, putting aside the diversions that we so enjoy.
In order for the castle to stand proud, it needs to be raised above the rest of the landscape and James is having to construct a series of piers to support the structure. These will be locked in place with lashings of expanding foam filler and loft insulation boards as has can be seen in the bridge section. Lots of lessons are being learnt on the job, but progress has definitely been made.
I appreciate that not everyone enjoys a work in progress post, but hope you will indulge us in a bid to keep the momentum going!
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Great stuff Michael! And personally I love WIP posts and photos, it's the journey to that final product that I enjoy and this is the perfect example of that 😃
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the support Ivor, it keeps us going.
DeleteI love WIP posts! Especially when they look as impressive as this one! Wow! Even now I can see/imagine the finished boards are going to be draw-dropping mate!
ReplyDeleteThat is so kind Dai, we are genuinely excited, hope to texture up the fist board this week.
DeleteAh, very impressive and elaborate work going on there, Michael!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dean.
DeleteLooks very impressive already!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you Christopher, but sooo much to do.
DeleteOh, that looks excitingly impressive.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it is really starting to take shape.
DeleteInformative and impressive work in progress! I for one like them!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you Iain, I must admit I enjoy them too, always good to see how different people approach similar jobs.
DeleteThat looks so cool, it’s going to be amazing when it’s done!
ReplyDeleteThank you, it's the 'when it's done' bit that worries me. :)
DeleteI was looked for an emoji with its jaw agape and eyeballs hitting the table but couldn’t find one. Just looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so kind Peter, than you so much.
DeleteFantastic...this is looking very impressive so far. I find the WIP photos useful to see how people achieve their results.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kym, starting to get a feel for what needs to be done.
DeleteWoooow! That's awesome sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michal.
DeleteThis is a really impressive build and the WIP shots are really useful, thanks Michael.
ReplyDeleteIt will all come together quite quickly one you start applying pigments and ground cover
Thank you Paul and I do hope so! :)
DeleteWell, er that is big isn't it ! You're going to need a big brush to paint that.
ReplyDeleteStarting to worry about where we are going to store it! :D
DeleteFantastic work from both James and you you Michael, even though it is a daunting task, take a moment to acknowledge all that you've achieved so far ! Your doing great guys, keep it up ! Don'y forget you can email me if there's a bit you need help on.
ReplyDeleteOnce again a huge thank you for your continued support. Now funnily enough we might have an idea for something which might be of interest to you. :)
DeleteColour me intrigued ! Drop me an email Michael
DeleteWill do. ;)
DeleteOh my gawd!!!! That looks fantastic as it is!!!!! What's it gonna look like when complete!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you say 10' x 6' quickly it doesn't sound too bad!!! :D
DeleteOh my, that's still a lot of work you have ahead of you. But the parts that you already did are outstanding. I really like the stonework in the second picture by the way.
ReplyDeleteSeeing it like this has been a bit of a wake up call and James has really thrown himself into it this week. The stonework was his idea, drawn in with a pencil.
DeleteSplendid looking castle! I must admit that until now I had no actual understanding about magnitude of this project and after seeing these pictures I'm totally filled with awe.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Nimrod, I think we needed to remind ourselves just how big it was to give us the focus to move the project along.
DeleteSeeing the immensity of this project from the pics is quite an eye-opener to the work you have ahead.
ReplyDeleteI for one enjoy seeing WIPs for allmanner of reasons - gaining insights, hints, tips and generally gleaning what others do to tackle their own (normally unique) problems.
I'm sure the drive the two of you have will see this project through to its conclusion.
Thank you Joe, it has certainly got big on us, but really pleased with where we have got to.
DeletePromising!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Phil.
DeleteWIP´s..bring em on..part of learning is seeing how others do stuff.
ReplyDeleteIs the final Thing going to cover all the tables it´s Standing on?
I think so too Paul, I have stolen most of my best ideas from WIP posts. :)
DeleteThe last photograph is the best for establishing the scale, with the currently empty boards rising up to for the mountains on the side nearest the viewer. We are debating about cutting in to the board, front left as we look at it, to allow people to get closer to the action in the castle.
This is looking great! Thanks for the WIP photos. Allows those of us of like minds to see the work for what it truly is! What a feast for the eyes this is going to be!
ReplyDeleteThank you Terry, if we can continue to complete things to the standard already achieved I will be absolutely thrilled!
DeleteFantastic work, Michael. I wish to contribute to this project and think I may have come up with a cunning plan for a couple of "set dressing" items, which I will send to you once complete. They will be appropriate for the setting and reflect my unique sense of humour. Whether you choose to use them or not will be entirely up to you, but even if you choose not to, I hope they amuse you.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you Jez and what a wonderful gesture. Given your creative, and sometimes mischievous, take on this, I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve.
DeleteThis is an awesome build. Love the WIP posts, keep 'em coming.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Martin, we shall do our best to keep things moving along.
DeleteGreat to see the progress so far. All shaping up nicely.
ReplyDeleteThank you A.J. there is a genuine sense of industry in the studios at the moment.
DeleteIt's great to get an overview of the total project but it's a huge expanse to fill. Keep up the work rate everyone is rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! The support is genuinely helping to keep us going.
DeleteComing on strong man!
ReplyDeleteThank you, my hands are now covered in plaster as we look to firm up the landscape.
DeleteLike with all great endeavors Michael the end result will be the reward, keep up the great work guys.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Frank, greatly appreciated.
DeleteIt’s going to look brilliant, it’s coming together . I do look forward to the how the heck do,we transport it post!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave, funnily enough we have had that conversation, James' Landrover is on standby! :)
DeleteThe work you have done already Michael is amazing and you have set the bar very high for yourselves. I have shared your concerns on much more humble projects of my own, so I don't feel your worries are unwarranted, but I have little doubt that this spectacular production won't be completed.
ReplyDeleteFrank
Thank you so much Frank, really kind of you.
DeleteLooks like the end results will be fantastic when it's all finished.
ReplyDeleteThank you, so much to do though.
DeleteSuperb! I love the worn, exposed masonry. Looking forward to the next instalment in your build.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Curt, more to follow shortly. :)
DeleteThis looks rather cool already and hints at what the finished board will look like! An incentive to anyone thinking about visiting Salute if there ever was one. As a side note today I undercoated the car I promised you. I know I'm a tardy git...
ReplyDeleteThank you Nick, great to hear the car is started! I have a nice spot earmarked for it in the courtyard, which isn't finished yet. ;)
DeleteThis is a very nice project and if you feel that it takes a lot of time and sometimes seems that it comes to an halt it is absolutely normal. :) When you finish it you will feel even more satisfied with the result after not giving up.A lot of nice details and also excellent choice of colours.By the way, I love the stonework of yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, what a lovely thought. We have made some progress recently so really starting to lift our spirits.
DeleteThis is fantastic! My grandpa Glenn Sherman (12th armored division) operated a tank during this battle. I recently researched and wrote an article for a local newspaper about his involvement.
ReplyDeleteJohn that is amazing! I don't suppose there is a link to the article is there? I would love to read it!
DeleteThank you for getting in touch via Instagram John. We love finding out new details about the battle, with a view to adding as much detail to this project as we can. Further to your message on Instagram, an email of your article would be well received at pgw160[at]yahoo.co.uk. Best wishes, James
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