There's always something...

...that gets in the way of painting!!

Ok, so I got back from the honeymoon and there was all the gardening to do...then it was back to work and catching up on all the crap that accumulated while I was sunning myself in Turkey.

Now, I find myself talked into doing a Thin Lizzy tribute gig in October with a local band who are one guitarist down. They did it last year as a three-piece after their second guitarist acted like a right royal tosser and was sacked... They did a great job as a three-piece, but as any of you out there into Lizzy will know, one guitar just don't cut it...so I've stepped in for this year's show. This means learning 45 mins worth of stuff from scratch (except for 'Jailbreak' which I used to play in my last three bands...) VERY quickly!!!!

Anyway, fortunately, I've now learned all bar one track and we've had the first two rehearsals. It's going well...REALLY well and is great fun! ('Emerald' is a particularly good track, with its 'raiding and slaughtering' theme in the lyrics - a real wargamers' tune!!) One more track to learn and I can get the paintbrush out again. Sadly, that track is 'Black Rose' an absolute monster of a tune with some hideously complex lead guitar to unpick... Still, I have to have it nailed for rehearsal next Wednesday, so after THAT, I can pick up the brush again.

Apologies to those awaiting Roman pics and mega apologies to Tony whose Saxons still haven't seen a lot of paint...Priority job, after next week's rehearsal mate, I promise!!!!

Anyone going to Partizan on Sunday? I hope to be there myself...

Bases....

Thanks to those of you who've replied ref the 20mm GW base affair... I now have innumerable options...thank goodness for that...very much appreciated one and all!!

Not much to report today other than the fact that 75% of that Caeasarian unit I mentioned on the last post are now finished! Speedy work indeed!! Trouble is, while the rain this weekend has helped the overall Roman painting, it has meant that I've not yet undercoated any Saxons...Still, looks fine so far this morning, so you never know...may be able to get out with the spray can...either that or I'll have to tidy the shed so I can get back to spraying 'indoors'...I'll need to do that for the winter anyway...Bum...shed-tidying...another job I loathe. Why do I let things get so bloomin' untidy? Answers on a used fiver.....

Anyway, Pics of Romans not far off now, I promise..

See ya

I'm Back!!!

Yes folks, I have returned from my nuptuals and honeymoon refreshed, relaxed and even slightly tanned...mind you, being in Turkey, with a temperature of a scorching 33 degrees in the shade will do that to you. (And before some smart arse says owt, yes...I bloody well did get sunburned in the shade!!!!)

So, what's new, I hear you cry? Well, not a right lot, I cry back... Since Lucia and I got back, all we've done is bloody housework and gardening (oh, and whinge that we wish we were back in Turkey, sitting by the pool, endless drinks on tap...eating fine food in splendid surroundings...sigh....)

I have actually undertaken a couple of truly horrendous jobs: Numero uno: pressure jet-wash the patio, front and back...sadly, I still have 60% of the back to complete, but at least the front is done...gallons of filthy sand, moss and accumulated bird crap washed away...ugh...

Job Number Two (and possibly EVEN worse): Tidy the painting table!!!! Yes, those old paint pots that I've steadfastly refused to chuck away up til now are well and truly gone, the accumulated Greenstuff chippings, metal filings and chippings, knackered paintrushes, bits of chopped up conversion models, were all tipped into the bin. The paints have all been put in a nice new box file for easy instant access and some of Bill's Saxons are sitting awaiting gluing to the bases ready for undercoat (Are you reading this Tony? Yup, it's your Gedriht at long last!!) on a clean and bare table...how long that'll last is anyone's guess! If it lasts beyond the weekend I'll be surprised, as I'm a lazy and messy old blighter, especially on the painting table!!!!!

So, my painting plans for the next month are:
1. To start the first Saxons. The king and his standard bearer first, methinks...
2. To finish that third unit of 24 Foundry/Companion plus some GB Caesarian legionaries that I'm doing for the Crusader rules (actually, they are based on GW bases, so they can double as WAB types, but obviously in units of 18...) Talking of bases, that reminds me...WARNING: RANT APPROACHING!!!!!

Have you seen what bloody Games Sodding Workshop are doing with their bases? I used to buy them in the big bags, about 40 or so bases at a cost of £4...not cheap, but acceptable in the grand scheme of things. Anyhoo, I go into the local GW on Monday to stock up on some more 20mm ones. Except, they don't appear to have any...loads of 25mm ones, monster bases, round ones even, but no 20mm ones... Enter 'new manager type dude' who says 'I'll get you some on Mail Order, mate. How many do you need?' Well, I actually need about 20, but extras will be needed for some of Soapy's new Saxons in the not too distant, so I tell him.. and he says...'they come in at 75p for a 4 base sprue!!!!!!!!!' WHAT?????!!!! That means I'd be paying £7.50 for what I ordinarily get for £4???!!! Errr...I don't really think so!! So I left the shop, somehow managing not to tell him where to shove his 75p for 4 bloody bases.... That company gets worse, I tell you truly!!! If anyone out there knows of similar bases that I can buy elsewhere, please add a comment to this 'ere post...ta...

Ok...Rant over....Where was I? Oh yes...painting....

3: Start the British/Welsh Kingdoms foot Teulu. I'll probably paint a couple of these along with those two Saxons, and keep that ratio up as I go with both units as that'll keep both units moving along nicely...Lots to do, as always!!

Anyway, I'll hopefully post some pics of the new Caesarians (I have 2 units and a General base finished already) as soon as the 3rd unit is finished..probably two week's work along with prepping Saxons, etc....

See ya...