Castle SiegeGame

Restarted an old favourite game in a new account (courtesy of the new family laptop) and it is nice having a slow build on a classic theme (see below):

It is a bit like starting off with a first level D&D character again ;)

Micro Machines .. (another) cheap impulse buy

Passing time in "Home Bargains" is always a case of "can you spot the hidden wargame potential in 'end of line' discounted kids toys?" Cheap and cheerful. The Star Wars franchise provides many such moments particularly with the "MicroMachines" range, sets of three items in various dubious scales. One party pack included a "hover vehicle", so naturally I had to buy two (see below):

I was thinking them as logistic or light patrol vehicles for my Sci-Fi Star Gruntz.

A new read .. although I still have several still on the go.

I picked this up from an Oxfam second hand book shop, "purchased" as it was less than the Kindle version (aka I managed to get this book past the guards on a technicality).

I seem to be a good decade late on this one as most of my wargaming friends seem to have already read "The Last Valley" back in the early 2000's. Vietnam but with a twist, the French IndoChina variant:

Platoon 20 used to do some very tasty 20mm versions of the French and Viet Minh. I know a friend who did IndoChinas using 15mm WWII US converted and carefully chosen VC.

A thick book but at least I have started it! Will this mean another period?

New website found ... Spymuseum

A "historical news" web forum:
http://www.spymuseum.org

In particular an upcoming event: The Batle of Leyte Gulf
http://www.spymuseum.org/calendar/detail/storm-over-leyte-with-john-prados/2016-09-19/

Jutland Re-Fight done earlier this year (by the USN)

Now this is what I call a Jutland re-fight (even if they did use cards instead of models, Fletcher Pratt will be turning in his grave):

https://wargamingcommunity.wordpress.com/2016/06/05/battle-of-jutland-centennial-2/

But even the US Naval War College did not finish it! Respect for even hosting it though ;)

Roadtrip to Connection UK 2016 AAR(I)

Well as a 'forty ninth' birthday present to myself I went 'on the road' from my northern haven, to the metropolis, aka "London", for Connections UK 2016, where hobby meets the professional body.

http://www.professionalwargaming.co.uk/2016.html

I was sold on this idea after becoming a serial listener to previous past audio (MP3 burnt to CD in my case) in my daily trip to work in the car. Being a 'two hour' round trip I get to listen to a lot of audio! For the past few months I have regaling myself with UK Connections 2013 through to 2015. This had totally drawn me in. As a conference open to the paying public I was hooked, I had to "go see the elephant".

In addition I lucky enough to strike up a collaboration with Phil Sabin and demonstrate his Fire/Move game which I am in the process of computerising as part of an open-source project (I will post more on this later). The conference is heavily dominated by the professional aspects of this serious wargaming community. However hobbyists were viewed as an innovative, beneficial and actively welcomed. In fact the Mega-Game which was the Day One "event" was powered by and from the experiences of the hobbyists.

Far better bloggers than I have already posted on Connections, so please review:

Bob:
http://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/connections-uk-2016-day-3-thursday-8th.html
http://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/connections-uk-2016-day-2-wednesday-7th.html
http://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/connections-uk-2016-day-1-tuesday-6th.html

Rex:
https://paxsims.wordpress.com/2016/09/06/connections-uk-2016-civil-war-in-binni/
https://paxsims.wordpress.com/2016/09/08/connections-uk-2016-aar/

Paul: 
https://wargamingcommunity.wordpress.com/2016/09/10/connections-uk-aar/
https://wargamingcommunity.wordpress.com/2016/09/11/wargaming-and-technology-innovation/
https://wargamingcommunity.wordpress.com/2016/09/13/wargaming-and-innovation-part-ii/

NATO Ground Crew 1/72 Impulse Purchase

Life is full of strange connections so my motto is take them when they come and work to your advantage. I was out on a "first stage job interview" and was mulling over on how I thought I had done when I passed a "toy shop", Saw it and thought "What the heck I will treat myself" (see below, good result):

And was glad I did! Nice little combination of Cold War NATO lightly armed NBC guards and rear echelon types, useful for modern Chain of Command or Black Ops (Osprey Rules).