While it has been a busy week, not a tremendous amount of progress on the hobby front. With nature throwing a switch, temperatures have climbed dramatically in the last week. What that sudden change in atmosphere triggers is that my workload flips from indoor activities to outdoor activities. Yardwork jumps to the fore as the garden and lawn spring back to life. Infrastructure such as sprinkler systems and lawn maintenance equipment need adjusting and a general clean-up is required after putting everything away back in October and forgetting about it. Cycling back on the roads is seeing a marked increase as well as I test out both body and bike for the upcoming campaigning season. With that shift in direction, wargaming has seen a bit of a lull.
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| Heavy fighting at Casteggio |
On the painting desk, I did manage to produce a second Russian infantry regiment of two battalions for the 1799 project. Like the Russian regiment produced earlier, these figures are AB Miniatures.
Painting output was down in April compared against the first three months of the year. Without going back to painting seasonality analysis and tendencies, I suspect that seeing a drop in April is normal. We will see if painting ticks up in May.
The lead photo captures a snapshot during the Montebello game with the French attack on Casteggio in the foreground and the detritus of the game room in the background. The large screen in the background monitors the game in session.
So even the Freitag painting and gaming machine has to slow down sometimes : ) . My own energy (and bank account) draining issue has been central heating repairs. But furniture and books have started to get back in place and I've even cleared the wargames table, so who knows?
ReplyDeleteA slow down, sometimes but not often. Still, I managed more painted figures this week. A small success, don't you think? With wargame table cleared, are you planning a game soon?
DeleteAs you know Jon, I can empathise with the change to outdoor stuff, albeit I'm struggling to find time to get back out and about on the bike. good to see you at least getting a game in and another fine Russian unit there too:).
ReplyDeleteI know very well, Steve! For me, switching from indoor cycling on the trainer to outdoors is a much welcomed change. Maybe you will be able to return to cycling one day? I know you have many pulls on your time.
DeleteI'm glad you are getting out of the basement and into some sunshine Jonathan! Got to get some sunshine occasionally 😁
ReplyDeleteI like the image of the screen in the background... I imagine a couple of commentators going over the current play 😂
Yeah, we all could use a little sunshine. I actually am outside more than you would expect. On the background screen, the only play-by-play, in-game commentary players get to hear is me!
DeleteI like the look of those Russians. The weather has picked up here as well, resulted in me spending more time on garden work
ReplyDeleteThanks, Neil! Garden work is a nice respite from other chores as well.
DeleteAn interesting peek at the workings of the online game. The season is just starting to turn in these parts. Although happy to be putting a particularly punishing winter behind us, the awfulness (to me) of dealing with the maintenance of the grounds, etc, that comes with the turn of the season is not something I welcome.
ReplyDeleteWhile our winter was relatively mild this year, there is always much yardwork to do when spring arrives. Our flowering crabapples are beginning to bloom. About two weeks earlier than usual. When they bloom, I think of you.
DeleteAn impressive looking set up for remote gaming you have created there Jon! I envy you your 6-month break from garden chores (although, not the weather-based reason for it!). Our winter isn't harsh enough - in fact, it's often mid-summer when the grass does not need to be cut as often, as it shrivels up under the heat of the sun!
ReplyDeleteYour AB Russians really are very nice indeed.
The big screen is necessary so that I can see what the players see and also so that I can see the players. While there is still outdoor work to attend to throughout the year, you are correct, I get a long winter break from most outside maintenance. Glad you like the Russians!
DeleteFour and a half hours was a nice long session. I am sure it will be an interesting write-up. Great work on the Russians. ABs really are lovely figures.
ReplyDeleteFor remote game with players in the UK, that is a long session and makes for a late night for those fellas across the pond. Not all of them are retired just yet so at least one had to get up and go to work the next day. Happy you approve of my Russian work. AB figures are nice sculpts, aren't they?
DeleteEven your quiet weeks on the hobby front outpace most people!
ReplyDeleteI thought being retired meant you slowed down.....☺
A price worth paying for better weather? ☺
Neil