To start off, Matt (Wargames in the Dungeon) joined me in a remote game on Friday. We fought the Battle of Zallaqah with Matt taking command of the Muslim army. For those taking count, this is Game #4 in the Zallaqah refights. Not unlike Alfonso VI, I learned an important lesson in this battle. Hope I can commit this lesson to memory for next time! Details for another day.
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| Spanish cavalry's inglorious retreat! |
On the painting front, December painting productivity has really picked up. Not unexpected given my seasonal painting tendencies over the years. Completed units are stacking up at the light box like cordwood before winter. Some units from projects not seen in a long, long time are moving out. Well, a few, never! I may be winding up the year on a high note on the painting front. 
On the big table, downstairs, Zallaqah will be cleared away and a new battle contemplated. Current thoughts point to the anniversary of Wakefield on 30 December. I need to design a scenario and get busy. Wakefield poses some challenges for a scenario design and requires careful thought. Wakefield may be the first game to see action in the New Year. We will see. My mind and motivations wander.
Next time, either more painted figures, the last Zallaqah battle report, or something completely different!
First out from the workbench is a bit of a clean-up. That is, a few miscellaneous figures were pulled out and sent into the painting queue for a quick win or three. What emerges are three units from three different projects. Mustering out are a three-figure command stand for the Reconquista (BTD and Crusader), a two-figure command stand for the SYW (Eureka), and a Norwegian two-figure machine gun stand (Peter Pig) for WWII. Whew! Glad to have these out of the way in order to tackle some bigger units.
On Tuesday, I expect to see Pharsalus return to the kitchen table in 6mm using Commands & Colors for a series of games before Christmas. Have not had Caesar v Pompey out in a long time. Should be fun.
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| Pharsalus |
A nice mixed bag there for you Jon:)! I think that the Norwegian MG crew are the first WWII figures I can remember seeing from your good self. Maybe a teaser on what might grace your games table in 2026?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve! While few, there are several posts from long ago about my 15mm WWII project here:
Deletehttps://palousewargamingjournal.blogspot.com/search/label/15mm%20Narvik
I don't recall seeing these before, so thanks for the link:). Most likely before I was aware of your Blog! I too decided to build a Norwegian force and like you, couldn't find anything, but the WWII Austrians looked the part once on the table. Great minds and all that;)
DeleteGreat minds, for sure!
DeleteLots of nice stuff going on Jon, think I missed the WW2 stuff previously or I just can’t remember. The rear view of that Christian cavalry looks spectacular !
ReplyDeleteThe WWII collection has not seen much action in years. Perhaps time to tun it around. You might be surprised to learn that I have 28mm WWII for CoC. That has not been out in years either. Yeah, thought you would enjoy the sight of my heavy cavalry fleeing to the rear!
DeleteA nice bit of variety there Jon. I know Matt does WW2 in Norway in 28mm so perhaps a discussion with him during your recent remote game has suggested a gaming topic for 2026?
ReplyDeleteI will be watching Matt's blog for a report on your latest tussle to get the full story on those fleeing Spanish knights!
A couple of responses in an earlier post suggesting that I bring WWII to the table in 2026 got me thinking about 1940 Norway. I have not had that collection out in a very long time. You may have to wait for me to provide details on Zallaqah. It may take some time to spin it!
DeleteWWII Norwegians? Sounds interesting Jon? Tell me more!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have a small collection of 15mm figures for 1940 Norway action. Not in 28s like Matt and yourself.
DeleteYou have lots of stuff going on. Plenty to keep you busy
ReplyDeleteAlways something to work on, Neil.
DeleteReally nice mixing stuff Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michal!
DeleteLooking good. Plus, a surprise in there too. Seems to be something of the megalomanic about your wargaming collection.
ReplyDeleteMegalomaniac? Moi?
DeleteBelated Happy Birthday, Richard! December is a notable month for birthdays.
DeleteThank you.
DeleteCertainly is a mixed bag of wargaming for you. Good to see your splendid WotR could be getting another showing.
ReplyDeleteYes, we will return to WotR soon.
DeleteI'm looking forward to the AAR on the most recent Zallaqah refight, and the lesson you allude to. Great to see you ending the year with a flourish Jonathan. Lovely stuff as usual.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence! I need to muster some strength to admit to my failures at the table...
DeleteLovely mixed bag! WW2? Thought you said you couldn't do it?
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks! Well, my collection of WWII stuff is miniscule compared to many.
DeleteA mixed bag yes, but a great one!
ReplyDeleteGood to have your approval!
DeleteSounds like you need to engage that there megalomania thing and expand in every direction!
DeleteBest Iain
Who says I have not already?
DeleteA pot pouri of gaming and painting goodness there Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteMerci, mon ami!
DeleteA mixed bag alright! One of your posts is more eclectic than my total wargaming for the last month!
ReplyDeleteAs Aly might say, I am chasing butterflies. Flutter, flutter!
DeleteA mix bag of periods and scales Jonathan. Great results for all of them.
ReplyDeleteYour mention of the fourth replay of Zallaqah sounds ominous. Matt obviously felt no need to go easy on the Christians at Christmas 😂
Thanks! Matt rarely lets up. In fact, I rarely see victory when I host Matt on my table. Not even at Christmas!
DeleteYour "mixed bag" is as bountiful as Santa's sack 🎅! ☺
ReplyDeleteA quick win is a win nonetheless.
Neil
Thanks, Neil! With my recent results at the gaming table, a painting victory may be the best I can muster.
DeleteThe three painted stands are interesting, what scales? I am assuming Peter Pig WW2 is 15mm, perhaps the SYW also 15mm, and presumably the medievals are 28mm?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your report on the game with Matt - did you do any better than us? And also the C&C Pharsalus - 6mm seems an ideal scale for that.
David! Have not heard from you in a while! You must be busy. Yes, Reconquista is 28mm, SYW is 18mm (mostly Eureka), and PP is more of a "true" 15mm.
DeleteOn Zallaqah, did I do better than you? Absolutely not! You managed a draw. i was soundly beaten!
CCA using 6mm is simply a great game for quick sessions on the kitchen table. We can often play five or six games in a three-hour session.
Good to get some odds and ends painted and done. I have a few gnawing away at the back of my mind.
ReplyDeleteWWII Norway. Funnily enough the Heroes of Telemark was on TV this afternoon. Obviously the King's Choice (Kongens nei) would be more relevant to your models.
Very good to get these hangers on put away.
DeleteA mixed bag indeed Jon but an interesting read and plenty going on!
ReplyDeleteHappy to see my flitting around to a variety of activities is of interest, Donnie!
DeleteA good mix of ‘stuff’ going on there, Jon. Good to have a finger in many different pies. Merry Christmas 🎄👍🏼🎲⚔️🎲
ReplyDeleteI love pies and having a finger in many is satisfying. Merry Christmas!
DeleteJonathan,
ReplyDeleteHmm, eclectic look at your projects. It is fun to have the ability to enjoy different periods, rules concepts---and enough time to get to them. Merry Christmas , may your painting and playing be rewarding in the new year.
Joe
Eclectic mix, for sure. One of the pleasures of having many projects is that there is always something to work on. Boredom rarely enters into the calculus. Merry Christmas, Joe!
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