And the first scenario is. . .

Here's the first shot of the battlefield taken from the southeast. You can just about make out the two gentle ridges (books) and shallow valley between them in the middle of the table. As C.S. Grant mentions in the instruction for this particular scenario, these terrain features have no appreciable effect on troop movements.

Another shot taken facing to the southwest this time. You can just make out the torso of the Jolly Green Giant at the top of the picture.

A final view of the battlefield, including my helper The Young Master, who is not only color coordinated with the miniature landscape here, but he also decided that we needed a windmill and an L-shaped section of wall. From left to right, the settlements are Doltz, Schtügesdorf, and Bumpfkinzort. That's Hasenpfefferwald near the other end of the table. And the Woodland Scenics Ready Grass mats don't look half bad. I'll probably purchase some 28mm fields from Hotz at some point to disguise where the three mats overlap each other and help break up the broad expanse of golf course just a bit. Overall though, I like where this is headed and should have upped my terrain game much sooner.

And the first scenario is. . . The 'Flank Attack' found on pages 34-35 of Scenarios or Wargamers! I'll reduce the orders of battle slightly to better fit the forces available to me and set them out in the next day or so. The Stollenians (commanded by Grand Duke Irwin-Amadeus II and General von Bauchscherzen) will defend in the roll of the Blue Army on the northern ridge (at let in the bottom photograph) while the invading Zichenauers (commanded by that dastardly ne'er-do-well General Phillipe de Latte) will attack in the role of the Red Army from the southern ridge near where the Young Master stands. I am considering seeking assistance from a couple of wargaming pals along the lines of what we did via e-mail last December and January. Stay tuned!

-- Stokes

Presenting the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere!!!

Here they are, with the rearmost nine figures still drying, three squadrons of the Anspach-Bayreuth Kuirassiere, now in the service of the Grand Duchy of Stollen. And now, it's onto that artillery!

Keepin' an Eye on the World Going By My Window . .

'The Nap at the Palace' by Jose Triado Mayol N ot much in the way of hobby-related activity happening here in the Grand Duchy lately. Sigh. And no surprise there really since there are only so many hours in the day, only so much mental and physical energy to spare, and you sometimes simply just have to give in and know when to say, um, "When!" A glass of wine and/or evening yoga by the hearth with the Grand Duchess (who has practiced for over 20 years), and then off into la-la land. Zzzzzzzzz. More immediately, I'm recovering, mentally speaking, from a grueling Friday in which I was involved with three (online) conference sessions, one right after the other, followed by a 90-minute meeting at the end of the day. Also virtual. My brain has been mush ever since, so an easy, completely unproductive Saturday watching intermittent snow fall outside (no accumulation however) and drinking coffee while the visiting handymen completed some repair work down h...

Having a "No Day". . .

F or the almost 20 years that she lived in Mexico, one of my late mother's Irish friends frequently mentioned having a "No Day." A day with no social obligations, chores, tasks, or other work that interfered with whatever personal interests took one's fancy on the day in question. Since today -- a gray and chilly Saturday -- is Mom's birthday, the Grand Duchess is out with friends, and the Young Master is ensconced on the sofa in the TV room with a cold, yours truly is taking his own such No Day. I think Mom would approve of my decision to make the world go away, as the old Eddie Arnold song intoned, even if only for a little while. So, I will spend Saturday afternoon focused on that first squadron and small regimental staff of Eureka Saxon cuirassiers. These have stood waiting untouched over on the painting table for almost three weeks while we skied and otherwise gadded about with snowy, winter outdoor activities. I hope to share a painting update Sunday...

The Grand Duchy of Stollen

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