Clutch from Maverick Games

Congratulations to all at Maverick Games on the recent reveal of their new open world driving game CLUTCH. For more information, see this link.

Tony

Late March and early April purchases

These two packs of DAS modelling clay and sketch book were just some of the birthday presents I received last month. Thank you.

In addition Sue and I have just returned from a short trip to Disneyland Paris where we had great fun watching our two grandsons enjoy the rides. On the way back home we stopped off at Carrefour and as well as bottles of Normandy cidre, Belgian beers and lots of French crisps I picked up these essentials. Two metal set squares (I use them for marking and cutting out plastic card), a pack of wooden knives (they were much cheaper than lollipop sticks) and a pack of discounted fine sandpaper (you can never have enough sandpaper).

Happy Easter.

Tony

Jason Buck - The hare that stole the Sun Kings crown

Last night Sue and I went to see Jason Buck (again). This time the story was The hare that stole the Sun Kings crown and performed at the Temperance Bar, Leamington Spa.

Like the earlier story Slain - The Horned God that we had seen in Ludlow Assembly Rooms back in February this performance was fantastic. A much smaller audience but just as enthralling and we are even talking about a third visit later in the year.

For more information about this tale see this link.

Or for more about Jason see this link.

Tony

Slaine The Horned God - with storyteller Jason Buck

Last night Sue and I accompanied by our daughter Holly were privileged to see the fantastic storyteller Jason Buck re-tell the tales and mythology behind Slaine - The Horned God at The Assembly Rooms , Ludlow.

I had seen this performance highlighted on Facebook earlier this year and suggested that I might like to go and see it. Holly and Sue bought the tickets for me as an early birthday present and even though I had seen reviews of this one-man on stage performance and was looking forward to seeing Jason for the first time, I was 'blown away' by the storytelling and enjoyed every minute of the two hour performance.

One man claiming a huge cinemas stage and without any props holding the audience of over two hundred in the palm of his hands - true traditional storytelling at its very best 10 out of 10.

Just days before at my grandsons birthday party, we were asked by Finley and Charlie 'who are you going to see?' Jason Buck - the storyteller. 'Oh' said Charlie, 'we've seen him, he's performed at our school and he lives not far away from us in Leamington Spa!'

So this confirms our belief that Finley aged 11 and Charlie aged just 8 are true connoisseurs of classic comics and traditional storytelling!

For more information about Jason, see this Facebook page.

Finally. I am aware that Jason is planning an on-line performance for March 22. For details see this link. If you can not see him in person, I guarantee that this will be a very special performance.

Tony

Magazine article inspiration?

I'm hoping for a little help. As many readers and followers will know I have been scratch building models for the wargame table for some time and then writing tutorials or articles in various magazines but I am now looking for some new and fresh inspiration as to what I should model next. I already have a number of articles with the editor or Miniature Wargames but am looking to produce something original for later in the year. Have you got any suggestions?

The more original or 'off the wall' the better as I am looking for a challenge.

Thank you in advance

Tony

A £3.00 charity shop find - Fischer Technik

A recent visit to Stratford - upon - Avon and I came away with this collection of Fischer Technik construction toy parts for £3.00. That's the first three images of part for just £3.00. (There was just too much for just one image).

Bargain.

For anyone not familiar with this construction toy, see this link.

I already have a collection of Fischer Technik parts which my grandsons play with but this addition should make me the best Bampi in the world.

I have decanted ALL the parts in to a new plastic crate and can't wait to see their faces the next time they visit.

Tony

Christmas 2025

Sue and I have had a very busy Christmas with visits to my son and daughter-in-law as well as spending time with my two grandsons. I was very lucky with the selection of presents I received with clothes and sweets as well as this fantastic selection of books.

In addition I hit the jackpot with these bottles of Port - one of which we opened on Christmas day.....

But once again - NO DAS modelling clay!

Thank you for ALL the wonderful presents and I hope you too had a great Christmas.

Tony

Can you guess the game?

Something new.....

Can you guess what board game this is?

About three months ago and following the visit to Worcester museum to see the Terry Pratchett themed exhibit of artwork by Paul Kidby my grandsons, Finley and Charlie were showing an interest in the books by Terry Pratchett and in particular the board game THUD.

Mal suggested that a set of resin printed pieces could be sources and he would produce them on condition that I finish and paint the pieces as well as making two gaming boards, one for Finley and Charlie and one for him.

Here are the finished and painted gaming pieces (two sets - 2 stone pillars, 16 Trolls and 64 Dwarves) as well as the hand drawn gaming boards.

I added metallic helmets to the Dwarves,wooden clubs and glowing eyes to the Trolls and ground foam decoration to the stone pillars (foam that was produced with Finley from ground up sponge).

Finished gaming board number one.

and finished gaming board number two with additional decoration.

Finally, the two gaming boards complete with playing pieces next to one another. I was trying for a pub brawl set or well used gaming board effect rather than the pristine look of the shop bought, boxed game. Hence the stains! The gaming boards were drawn on to material backed off-white vinyl with alcohol based permanent marker pens.

They were great fun to produce but did take some time. But they were eventually finished and in time for Christmas. Thank you Mal for the resin pieces.

Tony

Cyrano de Bergerac at RSC

Sue and I went to see the RSC performance of Cyrano de Bergerac staring Adrian Lester in the title role with Holly and Mal. It was the first time Sue and I had been back to the RSC for some time and what a performance to see on our return.....

We laughed, we cheered and we cried, well I did anyway. A five star performance one of the very best I have ever seen and one I would recommend, if there were a tickets left. For more information, see this link.

A 10 out of 10 performance.

Later this year we have booked tickets to see Roald Dahl's BFG and I'm also looking forward to seeing this.

Tony

Figure International magazine haul

Earlier this week I picked up these five Figure International magazine for just a charity donation. Many years ago when the magazine was first launched I subscribed - this was when you would receive a free, limited edition miniature with the subscription. Somewhere in my collection I have a number of these painted and based figures.

I've enjoyed re-visiting this publication and found much to interest me, my particular favourite was the article about painting of Captain Alatriste in issue 4th Quarter - 2007. The figure by Elite Miniatures was painted by two painters - Pepe Gallardo and Jose Hernandez two show how painting different styles would produce different effects and finishes. It was by coincidence that I am currently listening to the Audio book The Corsairs of Levant by Perez Reverte and revisiting Captain Alatriste.

The Captain Alatriste books by Perez Reverte and the film staring Viggo Mortensen (2006) follow the adventures of a Spanish soldier after the wars in Flanders and through the street of Madrid. I first read Captain Alatriste some time ago and the stories and character remain one of my favourite book series.

Tony

la maison rurale en Normandie - 1. la haute normandie

Earlier today I picked up this French language book about the architecture of Normandy called la maison rurale en Normandie - 1. la haute normanie. Rural houses in upper Normandy. for just £1.00 in a local charity shop.

The book is full of line illustrations of both houses and structures - just the sort of book I love for inspiration when building terrain. I've searched for it on the internet but have only found a couple of copies each being sold for over 10 Euros.

A real bargain.

Tony

Exhibition of Paul Kidby's Discworld art at Worcester Museum

Earlier this week I visited Worcester Museum to see the exhibition of Paul Kidby's art work depicting 30 years of Terry Pratchett Discworld inspired art. For full details see this link.

I spent most of my time with a sketchbook and pencil trying to get some inspiration and practice my quick sketching but also took some photos. I can confirm that the exhibition is well worth seeking out and I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed. In addition the museum shop has loads of Terry Pratchett themed gifts and art for sale.

I am looking forward to a second visit with my daughter Holly before the exhibition moves on in January.

Tony

Abstract Acrylic paints reduced in Hobbycraft

I'll start this post with a simple statement; I do not need any more paint.

But.....

These Abstract acrylic paint pouches were picked up for just £1.00 each from Hobbycraft, Worcester. My wife was shopping on the retail estate earlier this week when she picked up three pouches for just £1.00 each so we went back to see if there were any more. There were. So I now have ten packs. As an aside the last post showed the John Blanche limited edition paint set from Army Painter - ten 18ml paints for £35.00 while these Abstract paints were just £1.00 for 120ml! Abstract paints are heavy body, high pigment, ultra strong and light fast so some of the best graduate level paints available, only surpassed by brands like Liquitex or Golden acrylics.

You may be lucky enough to have similarly reduced paint at your local Hobbycraft store.

Tony

John Blanche Volume 1 - Masterclass paints from ARMY PAINTER

Sue and I have just returned from a day out at Newbury racecourse - COLOURS 2025 where I picked up this 10 paint pack. MASTERCLASS John Blanche Volume 1 from Army Painter. I hadn't intent buying them, but seeing them in person at this very busy wargame show and being that they were being sold at a bargain price, I just couldn't resist.

A very special treat to myself.

There has been a lot written about these limited edition sets and I'm sure I will enjoy experimenting with them.

Tony

How To Paint With Acrylics 2.0

Earlier this week I picked up this AMMO MIG Jimenez book from a charity shop in Kidderminster. At just £2.00 it was a real bargain and a book I am enjoying reading.

How To Paint With Acrylics 2.0 AMMO Modelling Guide from 2021 - a 176 page guide that is just full of great hints and tips.

Tony

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival

Sue and I have just returned form a fantastic day out at the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. The weather was glorious but a bit too hot for spending more than a couple of hours browsing the displays.

Tony