Tuesday 31 December 2013

Christmas Board Games

This post should more accurately be labelled Christmas Board Games, Card Games and Other Activity. It is a widely known fact that more board games are played at this time of year than at any other time, The Harwood household is no exception. Here is a list of some of the games we have played over the 2013 Christmas/New Year break.

I'm starting with an old favourite - Scrabble. Holly had this game out well before the festive holidays and was playing it with Kate on the living room floor. It didn't take long before two teams were playing (rather than the two individuals) and between browsing TV we had some fun games.


Next up was Monopoly Deal a card game derivative of another classic Christmas game. This time it was Gary, Beckie and Flo playing. Monopoly Deal is a much faster paced game than the Monopoly board game and is much easier to set up and layout. Monopoly Deal was one of the Games that Gary brought with him.


Hollywood Dominoes is a fantastic family game, based on double-twelve dominoes with a couple of 'special rules' the full game takes twelve rounds and is ideally played with more than four players. The game was bought for Gary and Beckie two years ago but is a great festive attraction that takes over the dining table for well over an hour of play.


The 2013 New Purchase, bought for Gary as one of his main presents this year. Dominion is a card game that allows you to build hands during the first phase of play, then convert these hands into money in the second phase. We played a simplified version for the first game, but still enjoyed the varied rounds. I'm looking forward to another game later today.


The next two are not our games, but were brought down by our neighbours - The Kells. First we have Last Word, a card based game where you should be the last player speaking before the buzzer goes. We played it with a full table of seven and we all enjoyed the game.


Werewolf was a new game to me and Sue. It is a card based game where villagers try to kill the Werewolves before the Werewolves kill them. I liked the theatre that this roleplay game gave, but do feel that it needs more than the eight (seven players and a Games Master) that we had available to play well.


Scattergories was bought for us by my Mother last year and has become a family favourite. We all play and have some hilarious fun listening to the answers that Nanna Flo gives - at 89 years old she can still give us a run-for-our-money with some of the answers.


RapidDough has so far remained in its box, but I would expect it to make an appearance either today or tomorrow.

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My main present to Holly (my Daughter) this Christmas was this Gin Tasting Kit that I had made for her. Holly had been looking to book a Gin Tasting weekend earlier in the year and I said that I would put one on for her this Christmas. Some years ago I worked for Hiram Walker Agencies/Allied Domecq and Beefeater Gin was one of the products that was sold by the group. During my time with the company I attended and ran many tasting events - Gin, Whisky, Port and Sherry to name but a few. I built the box from an old wine case and the interior from card. Each of the twelve plastic boxes holds a different Botanical (or Gin flavouring). They are Juniper Berries, dried Lemon and Orange peel, Liquorice Sticks, Almonds, Angelica, Orris, Cassia, Coriander, Cardamon, and Rose Petals. The twelfth holds some perfume sampling strips (picked up from Selfridges) which can be used to 'nose' the Gins.

The plan is to hold a Gin tasting evening later this week and use the individual sampling boxes to try and identify the main smells or aromas. For those that are interested all gins have a variety of different Botanicals (the main being Juniper) which give the Gin its individual flavour. Beefeater for example will have seven Botanicals, they are; Juniper, Seville Orange and Sicilian Lemon Peel, Liquorice Root, Almonds, Angelica and Orris. Hendricks would have a mix of the above with the addition of Rose Petals and Cucumber.


Prior to making up the box and re-reading my library of books on the subject, we had a Birthday party at Boleros Cocktail Bar in Worcester. When everyone else had ordered their cocktails I called the waitress over and gave her my order; a glass of Beefeater Gin, a separate glass filled with ice, a wedge of lemon and a bottle of Schweppes Tonic Water (NOT SLIMLINE).

I first nosed the Gin then sipped it before adding the ice and the lemon (which was squeezed into the glass rather than floated on top). I then added a third of the glass of Tonic Water (I do not like to 'drown' my Gin) before tasting the Gin and Tonic.

Later I called over the same waitress. This time a Glass of Bombay Sapphire, a separate glass with Ice, a wedge of LIME and another bottle of Tonic Water. I proceeded to 'nose and sip' the plain Gin before adding the Lime, Ice and Tonic Water. I think you can begin to imagine some of the comments from the other guests!

(Note; Bombay Sapphire is made in a different way to the Beefeater Gin - a method that gives a more subtle aroma and flavour).

Later still, a third order. This time Hendricks Gin (yes- you guessed it) in a separate glass with Ice, a slice of cucumber and a bottle of Tonic. By now other Birthday Guests were both wanting samples of my custom-built G&T's as well as ordering their own.

(Note; Hendricks is made in Scotland and is built from a blend of spirit from two different stills).

So where from here?

I called over the waitress and ordered a Fifty Pound Gin (this is a brand not the cost) and not knowing, ordered both a wedge of Lime and a wedge of Lemon, ice in a separate glass and a fresh bottle of Tonic. This time the G&T was (reticently) shares with all at the table.

Later when going out for a drink with some work colleagues, we agreed to meet up at the St Andrews Hotel in Droitwich. I arrived early and ordered a Gin and Tonic - What Gins were on offer?

The barman said Gordons (not one of my favourite), but in this case I agreed and he proceeded to pour ALL OF THE BOTTLE OF Tonic Water into a warm glass, drowning my Measly Measure of Weak Gordons! OK by now I'm not in a good mood. A mood made even worse when he informs me that there was no ice and the Lemon slices are still in the kitchen fridge!

Needless to say I didn't stay long and actually didn't finish the G&T, preferring to make my apologies and return home for a proper (Home-Made) Gin and Tonic!

To end, Happy New Year and (as is appropriate for this post) - Cheers.

Tony

If there are any readers who would like to know more - check out this YouTube link.

Sunday 29 December 2013

Frosty the Snowman - update

I have updated the finished miniature of the Mage Knight Snow Minion by painting the scarf Red, I thought the Blue scarf was too dull.


Here is the original Blue scarf figure for comparison.


A simple re-paint. What do you think?

Tony

Friday 27 December 2013

Allura Nail Art for Modelmakers



I can images that some readers will be thinking "I've lost the plot!" But bear with me. I saw these Allura Nail Art beads in Poundland (UK discount store) for £1.00. The tiny round beads are perfect for small rivets - drill a small hole (slightly smaller than the bead) and glue in place.

The second image shows the beads a little better. So any scratch builders out there - especially Victorian Science Fiction modellers (who always need loads of rivets) go along to Poundland today and get your pounds worth of ready-made rivets.


Tony

PS.
Sometimes called Nail Caviar?

Thursday 26 December 2013

Frosty the Snowman



Frosty the Snowman (Snowminion). A Cryptmass Themed On-Line Build for Flintloque.


Just prior to Christmas Alternative Armies/15mm Miniatures announced that there were to produce a set of Seasonal Specials - Snowmen. The figures can be seen here. I wanted the miniatures to be 28/30mm scale, however they are 15mm!

I suggested that a Flintloque Snowman might be a good addition to the range, but was told that this was unlikely. A quick browse on e-Bay and I found this Limited Edition Mage Knight Snow Minion which was promptly delivered in time for Christmas.


The figure is cast in clear plastic with the head and arms cast separately.


I cut off the head from a Gunelean Bog Orc and with some Green Stuff converted the figure to act as a stand-in Snowman for my Flintloque Undead Army. It might have been better to have added a flintloque rather than a shovel, but the thin plastic arms were very flexible and I am not sure if they would have held a metal casting of a flintloque.


I wanted to keep the original clear plastic body and kept the Green Stuff modification restricted to the head and scarf and the base. The miniature is mounted on to my usual 2p coin.


Painting proceeded quickly - there wasn't a lot to paint!


The whole figure and base were varnished with Gloss Varnish.


And then Matt Varnish.


The final image is of a modified Oswald Pepperkettle alongside the Snowman (shown for scale).


A very quick (and seasonal) conversion. At this moment I am contemplating re-painting the Blue scarf Red and White to add a little colour.

I am pleased with the whole conversion, which I feel works well.

A Cryptmass Treat.

Tony

Wednesday 25 December 2013

Just say No.....



Then again, maybe these are OK? Solid Milk Chocolate Sprouts. The only way you are going to get me to eat sprouts.

For Uncle Rogipoos.

Happy Christmas.

Tony

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Merry Christmas



Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.....

Tony

Sunday 22 December 2013

Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar 2013 - Does my Ass look big in this.....



Day 22 of this years Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar 2013. Does my Ass look big in this.....

The third part of a Pax Bochemannica scenario series written by me some time ago and introducing The Pecham Irregulars, a group of simple-minded Boche Halflings who are always on the look-out for some action. Does my Ass..... pits the Halfling posse led by Roders and Trigger against a Noman Onager that has been pelting bloody huge rocks at the thatched village which is currently home to the Yellow Perils or Peckhan Irregulars. For full details go to this link. For details of part one (Parley Vous Boche) see this link and for part two (Sticks and Stones) see this link.


The Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar is a labour of love for Craig Andrews, editor of OITW. Stop by and see some fantastic content - articles, gaming scenarios and even the odd poem. Orcs in the Webbe home page. Stop by and browse some great free content.


Happy Advent.

Tony

Thursday 19 December 2013

40mm Cliffhanger Miniatures to be sold by Crann Tara Miniatures



Following a recent post on The Miniatures Page (see this link for details) Crann Tara Miniatures have agreed to distribute the old Monolith Designs 40mm figures sculpted by Jim Bowen. For more information go to this link.

Regular followers and readers of this Blog will know that I have been championing this range of figures for some time - years in fact. It is great news to read that these figures will soon be available from this manufacturer.

The image below shows three of the Flash Gordon Cliffhanger range of 40mm miniatures defending a tomb.


My own 40mm Flash Gordon collection includes both stock and modified figures from this range and I will be following this development with interest.

Tony

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar 2013 - Foul Mouth Freddy gets Spirited Away



Day 17 and a very special Foul Mouth Freddy adventure - Foul Mouth Freddy gets Spirited Away. Freddy has plans for smuggling barrels of 'Rot Gut Brandy' to some Goblin Innkeepers, a plan that will make him very rich.

Others, however have different plans. Can our 'potty-mouthed' hero succeed and sell some of his rotten brandy to the 'green-skinned' Goblins or will others come out on top? For full details of Freddy's latest adventure go to this link. For details of Freddy's earlier adventures go to this link.


Orcs in the Webbe a site managed and edited by Craig Andrews has for some years brought us an Advent Calendar of 24 adventures, articles and scenarios for us to enjoy in the run-up to Cryptmass. The whole project takes a considerable amount of time and effort on Craig's part and deserves to be supported.

Happy Advent.

Tony

Sunday 15 December 2013

IPMS 2013 - More Photos



Part Two. The show is always full of WWII aircraft and tanks, here are some of the model aircraft. Enjoy.























Tony