Blogging

I recently read a short article about trying to get more people to read your Blog. For full details see this link. While in the past I have also seen articles questioning if Blogging is dead.

I got into blogging by accident. I had intended to open a full website, but after a couple of abortive attempts (which my son helped me with) I found Blogger was so much easier to use. Ten years on and I find the systems and procedures of Blogger are now second nature to me. However I am aware that  there are many who do not like reading or following Blogs.

Sometime last year I was speaking to a well known wargamer who said that he NEVER used Blogs as he finds them too awkward to navigate!

As I have stated, I have been writing this blog for over ten years and think of it as an on-line diary more than a question and answer forum. I can confirm that views and followers have stayed much the same for most of its' life with regular readers and followers taking time to comment and even write to me on my personal Dampfpanzerwagon e-mail address. The blog has also meant that I have been able to sell three self-published guides or books (the last book Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No. 3 - Models for Wargamers is now running very low, with less than 10 copies available. Should you wish to order a copy please see the link to the right).

I do enjoy comments but this is NOT the main reason for writing my blog. They are great to receive but as I don't write questioning posts or posts that I feel need comments, the number of replies are not my reason for posting. I have been asked why I don't write on Facebook. I don't write on Facebook as I find the platform to 'clumpy' and not to my liking. I have a Facebook page but hardly ever use it to post and mainly use it to see what manufacturers are doing. My son and daughter are continuing to push for me to experiment with 'other' platforms like You Tube but so far I have resisted.

I am worried that if Blogger ever closed, there would be a lot of information and posts lost forever - similar to what happened when Yahoo Groups changed (I am no longer a member of Yahoo Groups and miss the interaction that happened in the earlier years of this platform as well as the huge amount of files that have been lost forever). My daughter has pointed out that there are ways to save Blogger posts, and maybe one day I will get around to doing something about this.

So why do I post on blogger?

Mainly to act as a personal diary and record of my modelling, painting and gaming hobby. When I receive comments I am very grateful and appreciative, but as stated, this is not my main  reason for blogging.

I'd be interested to read why others blog.....

Tony

The Lexian Chronicles Full Circle

While browsing a charity book shop in Droitwich, I came across this hard back graphic novel for just £1.00. This is the Markoshia Omnibus edition of The Lexian Chronicles by Harry Gallan and is in perfect condition. I'll enjoy reading this once my current reading projects are finished (I had so many books as gifts for Christmas that this could take a while).

Tony

Practical and Simple Wargame Terrain

Earlier this month I blogged about a magazine article I have had published in Miniature Wargames - issue 442, February 2020. I commented on the fact that this was the first of what I hoped would be a short series of tutorials on building simple, practical and robust wargame terrain build from easily sourced and everyday materials. For details see this link.

However I thought it would be interesting if I gave more details as to the reasons for producing such a series.

Following on from my earlier self published books or Dampfpanzerwagon Guides, I had received many positive comments, but a few criticised me for my use of non-standard or specialist products, for example industrial or specialised superglue and high quality green foam (a product designed for the professional model making community). In addition there has been many comments on my preferred basing technique of building my models on small diorama bases with lots of 'clutter' to decorate the base and add some interest.

In these articles, I had decided to cut-back on the specialised products and build robust and strong wargame terrain using nothing but everyday materials - for example cardboard, egg box card and plain card.

As you can read in the article in Miniature Wargames, the simple Storehouse was indeed built from simple materials - cardboard, card and egg box cartons and I can confirm that it is very robust. I have been able to allow my two grandsons to play with all of the models and so far they have held up very well.

In my article/tutorial and in the future articles I have set myself five simple rules or guidelines;

1 - The model should be constructed from simply sourced or everyday materials.

2 - The model should be generic and able to be used in a wide variety of different games or genres.

3 - The model should be robust enough for wargame club use.

4 - The model should be finished to a good standard and resemble the building it represents.

5 - Finally, it should fit into a 6 inch x 6 inch x 6 inch box - for easy storage.

It should be obvious, but just for the record - the models do not have an integrated base or an interior.

I would hope that this model 'ticks' all of the criteria above and that the following articles (so far there are three similar article with John - the editor of MW) will give some inspiration to others who want to produce practical wargame terrain for next-to-nothing cost.

I would be interested to hear from gamers about their views on such a series and also welcome criticism or comments, particularly suggestions for future practical wargame terrain models.

Tony

The Witcher - the Netflix series

Sue and I have just finished watching the first series of The Witcher on Netflix. We had seen some reviews prior to starting the series, but recommendations from my son and daughter prompted us to start watching it - and I have to say that we have enjoyed all of the first 8 episodes and are looking forward to series 2.

I did not have any preconceived ideas about the character of the series as I had not read any of the books or played the game. I do think I had heard of it, maybe on gaming or entertainment sites.

The story does play around with the timeline quite a bit but in the end, I think we followed it close enough. I would say that there are some fantastic characters in series 1, but if Henry Cavill was paid by the word, I don't think he would be earning that much (grunts are a totally different matter.....) Even so I would say that he does pull it off and makes a convincing anti-hero.

I would say that it is a good series (if a little short) and well worth searching out.

For more information see this official Netflix site.

Tony

Lead Soldiers Haul

I am well aware that Blog posts this month have been slow.....

I have been working on a couple of commissions and finishing off a number of magazine articles for publication later this year. But this week we have had visitors. My Brother and Sister-in-Law were up from South Wales visiting Sue and her mother. As well as bringing fresh Welsh cakes and faggots from Swansea market, I received this margarine box of toy soldiers or 40mm lead soldiers. I would suggest that they are new models from traditional moulds cast in lead. Possibly Prince August.

It's quite a haul.....

They are definitely lead. Bob found them while attending an auction.

A dozen mounted Hussars.

50 advancing infantry.

50 kneeling riflemen.

5 Flag wielders or banner carriers.

18 marching drummers.

12 Trumpet or buglers.

And 6 cannon.

I'm not sure what I'll be doing with this load of old lead - over 150 models but will keep you informed should there be any developments.

Thank you Bob and Anna.

Tony

Miniature Wargames Magazine - issue 442

Issue 442 of Miniature Wargames contains the first of a series of articles/tutorials written by me showing how I built a range of simple, practical and affordable pieces of wargame terrain from easily obtainable materials.

For details see this link.

The models were all built with the following rules;
1 - constructed from everyday and easily obtainable materials
2 - be generic and able to be used in a number of different scenarios
3 - the models must be robust
4 - and finished to a good standard
5 - sized to fit inside a 6 inch x 6 inch x 6 inch box

The first model a European Storehouse is featured on a three page spread in the latest issue of MW. Hopefully there will be more articles to follow.

Tony

Dracula - the BBC drama

Sue and I have just finished watching all three episodes of the new BBC drama Dracula. We watched it on catch-up and have to say that given some of the scathing reviews I have seen, I was not sure how or if I would enjoy it.

After watching the three episodes, I have to say that I enjoyed it. It was more fun than I had expected with many one-liners and nowhere near as gory as I had expected. The performances by Claes Bang (as Dracula) and Dolly Wells (as Sister Agatha) were fantastic - I really liked the interplay between these characters and would welcome more, either as another Dracula series or as a Sister Agatha spin-off. I think she would make a great series hero.

For more details see this BBC link.

Given the themes and writing of Dracula I was even more disappointed with the new Dr Who episodes - who used similar gender changes/swaps but completely failed to engage with me or Sue. In the past I have to admit to looking forward to new episodes of Dr Who and would never have thought of missing a Christmas special, but this year I can honestly say I have no wish to watch any more of this 13th Doctor (is it possible that the 13th doctor is cursed?)

I also know that there have been many who have criticised the BBC on the implementation of a female doctor and these criticisms have been shouted down as sexist. However In Dracula we have a new drama based on a very old character with gender rolls reversed (sorry spoiler alert) similar to the new Jody Whittaker doctor and where as one fails to engage and is loosing viewers in droves, the second (Dracula) has a strong female role model and a fantastic story thread. Surely there has to be a lesson learnt! I cannot help but compare and contrast these two BBC dramas and where Dracula succeeds on so many levels, Dr Who just falls flat.

Tony