Table making & a Heroclix Game.

It's been a busy time for most of our gang of late, what with a few getting new jobs or moving house, in some cases both, and extra shifts for some football tournament or other, but we've still fitted a bit of gaming time in, and had a really pleasant get together recently down at the local Forge with steak, pies and beer. I think we should be doing that again fairly soonish, it's not often most of us can get somewhere at the same time.
Anyway, we made a table top a short while ago, for Dave's son's railway setup, which was good fun to do. Naturally, we used the most modern of machinery, a large cutting thing, glue and a hammer. Oh, and some screws too. We didn't even get to bleed too much either, which is pretty good going for us, not really being used to wood & sharp dangerous tools.
The table was @6'x4', using a plywood top with supporting pine strips, shown here being accurately & expertly placed by Dave.

Wanting folding legs on it, we recycled an old card tables legs. How modern & green is that? Gave me thoughts of making a future gaming table of course. Though it would have to be bigger, more sturdy, and have spaces for tea cups, pie plates and large ashtrays. But this was a good learning experience, and we had a right good time.

Lacking the specific tool, we used a bayonet to spread the glue. Seemed to work allright, and no one messed with us during the time that we were tooled up.

We stood it up, and although it only took an hour or two, we thought it looked quite proper really. It's good to do something practical, and 'hand made' now and again. Naturally, we needed beer afterwards, and so retired early to the Forge.

We've had a few games of 'Heroclix' recently, c/o Richie & Eddie, and though I was a tad sceptical, I have to say it does play well as a sort of DBx skirmish game in a way. Each piece is a super hero, with movement, range, fighting ability & damage points shown on the base. These scores diminish as the piece takes hits during the game. It did give me some ideas for future skirmish games, in particular our not-quite-yet-done Zombie bash game. Quick and easy to set up, and good fun to play.

Now some gamers, having played this before, chose their pieces on a combat value basis,(each side is allowed so many points). I chose mine on a different basis, as can be seen...

By the end of one game, my three well upholstered ladies easily beat off a savage attack by some chap wearing only hot pants, leather jacket and an odd yellow cap set at a jaunty angle. I have no idea who he was, and I'm not sure that I would want to, but he stood no chance against "Peeler's babes". He got well mullered, and rightly so in my opinion, for coming to a fight dressed like that.

As said, gaming has been a bit light of late, but that's life, it gets in the way of the hobby on occasion and can't be helped, I'm sure we'll be back to our regular gaming times soonish.

A swift witter, and a couple of links.. a new (to me) site, by Pendraken.. http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php

.. a rather nice & pleasant Forum, mainly for the 10mm set obviously, but there is a lot of interesting stuff on there for all.

Another Site I've recently rejoined is WD3.. http://wdlovesme.19.forumer.com/ .. a more general gaming site, again with a lot of interesting stuff on there. Both are well worth a look at, and joining up to.

Regards,

One's Painting Table..

Well it's been a while since I've posted up, I got waylaid over Christmas & New Year, and what with one thing and another, I just haven't been able to get Blogging, but here we are. Thought I'd begin with an easy one, and a belated but well meant Best Wishes to you all for 2010.
We had a gathering at Peeler mansions a while ago, (quite a while ago!) to prepare for our Colonial game at the Recon Show, here's the benefit of having a large-ish table, you can fit flocking, ash trays, tea & biscuits and a board game on it. A pleasant gaming & general wittering afternoon was had.

We were putting the finishing touches to our 1/72 Zulu War collection, these being a mix of Esci, Revell and Hatt. The newer Hatt figures are quite the business I think, chunky and solid looking, with a good selection including Naval Division, Highlanders and Artillery. Washed, undercoated with black primer, painted with Vallejo acrylics then a good coating of Humbrol gloss varnish to finish ... they end up looking deep, solid and semi gloss, without too much of a shine on them. The gloss helps to harden off the figures too.
The bases are MDF, (from East Riding Miniatures, who give a wonderfully friendly and quick service), painted earth brown then with a watery PVA glue, covered in a variety of flock, static grass and small rocks. They'll look better in the pictures of the game, which I will post up soonest. Having based all this lot in one go, I thought to myself, "Must flock as I go along next time and not leave them all to the end." Then again, it's satisfying to see them all basic and undone, and then a couple of hours later, transformed into something better, like a bit of an achievement really. I must remember not to breath in as much flock and static though, it does you no good really.
The board game was Richie's Zombie game, which plays really well and has a lot of fun elements to it. I don't think I did too well at it, my only excuse is that I was busy having a good flock..

A warm welcome to Davy Nicholl and Ryulin, two of our local gaming chums. Davy has a music site, and Ryulin has just started a Fantasy Blog, both of which are looking good, and a welcome also to Andy from Old Glory, who has also just started a Blog, (Glorious Little Soldiers), which no doubt will be a belter! All three are in the Links, and are well worth a visit.
Regards,

A Game of Risk.

Remember this board game? Hadn't played it for ages until last week, and it was a joy to game. Simple, easy, fun, and even a little bit strategic at times too. Six of us managed to play it, and had a right good hoot. Tantrums, swearing and throwing of Teddy's into the corner were kept to a minimum.

A couple of moves in, and Doug held most of Nth America, Ben had Sth America, Peeler had Europe, Mathew most of Asia, Richie had Africa and Tim hung around in the Northern Wastes. Over a few further moves, Doug took over Sth America, Peeler took the Northern Wastes, and Mathew took Africa. Only three remained..soon down to two when Peeler in Europe got squished betwixt Doug in the West and Mathew in the East...how apt eh. Naturally, England was the last to fall, and went down fighting bravely. After tea and buns, there was a mammoth clash between West and East, with Doug ending triumphant, and so he had to wear the Winners Crown. Except we didn't have one, so he had to make do with a Tiara instead. I still have the photo, and am awaiting due payment for the negative.