Lest anyone think that Steve-the-Wargamer has shuffled off this mortal coil I am here to report that all is well, it's just too damn busy to be posting... and come to think of it, if psychologist Dr Aric Sigman [click here] is correct, then I should be spending less time blogging and more time interacting with the world anyway!
As it happens I have been... interacting with the world, that is.. and I can report firstly an update to the Campaign Diary (link to the left) following a minor scuffle (hardly a skirmish) this time to the west of the town of Carnine... DG's British cavalry won an outcome worthy of bloody Ban himself and well and truly mishandled my Dragoons - you can read more in the diary....
Whilst on the subject, our campaign has now been running for a whole year as it was on the 4th March 2008 that I first blogged the immortal words "it's spring and a young mans fancy turns to campaigning"...! Speaking for myself it's been a world of fun, and I suspect it's going to get even more fun as sooner or later one of us is going to have to risk an attack or the campaign will head to a stalemate....
What has also taken all my time is the following:
...Steve the Wargamer has had sailing as a hobby since the days of short school trousers and caps (and that dates me) - I think my first ever time on the water was an RYA sailing course when I was 15... after that however, I then spent an unfeasibly long time sailing and racing windsurfers before finally coming to my senses (bad back and advancing age) four or five years ago when I decided it was time to return to sailing in the sitting down position....
"Papillon" is my first ever boat, only 19 foot long though she does have a cabin. She came with an outboard to get me out of trouble, and all the necessary pieces of kit, and since the picture (which was taken the day I bought her) she has now been anti-fouled and cleaned inside and out within an inch of her life... Not being too cheesy about it all, she is a bit of a lifetime ambition - I've wanted a boat ever since I did that sailing course, but money, family, time, work and a host of other commitments and obstacles mean that it's only now that I can really devote the time and money... either way - now I have one, and I ain't half looking forward to the summer!
As it happens I have been... interacting with the world, that is.. and I can report firstly an update to the Campaign Diary (link to the left) following a minor scuffle (hardly a skirmish) this time to the west of the town of Carnine... DG's British cavalry won an outcome worthy of bloody Ban himself and well and truly mishandled my Dragoons - you can read more in the diary....
Whilst on the subject, our campaign has now been running for a whole year as it was on the 4th March 2008 that I first blogged the immortal words "it's spring and a young mans fancy turns to campaigning"...! Speaking for myself it's been a world of fun, and I suspect it's going to get even more fun as sooner or later one of us is going to have to risk an attack or the campaign will head to a stalemate....
What has also taken all my time is the following:
...Steve the Wargamer has had sailing as a hobby since the days of short school trousers and caps (and that dates me) - I think my first ever time on the water was an RYA sailing course when I was 15... after that however, I then spent an unfeasibly long time sailing and racing windsurfers before finally coming to my senses (bad back and advancing age) four or five years ago when I decided it was time to return to sailing in the sitting down position....
"Papillon" is my first ever boat, only 19 foot long though she does have a cabin. She came with an outboard to get me out of trouble, and all the necessary pieces of kit, and since the picture (which was taken the day I bought her) she has now been anti-fouled and cleaned inside and out within an inch of her life... Not being too cheesy about it all, she is a bit of a lifetime ambition - I've wanted a boat ever since I did that sailing course, but money, family, time, work and a host of other commitments and obstacles mean that it's only now that I can really devote the time and money... either way - now I have one, and I ain't half looking forward to the summer!
Now I am jealous! On the basis of Saturday afternoons spent thirty years ago flooging up and down Theale gravel pits I consider myself something of an expert on sailing and world exploration.
ReplyDeleteThat really does look nice, role on summer.
That reminds me of why I gave up Naval Wargaming, I couldn't stand to explain to one more person why their ships could go faster sideways on to the wind than behind. Bloody Vikings!
John
Congratulations, Steve . . . please just remember not to abandon the little guys on the table top.
ReplyDelete-- Jeff
Well, shiver me timbers! I did navigate a friend's small yacht across Torbay a couple of years ago but the sea was dead flat thankfully - have fun...
ReplyDeleteIan
Superb boat very envious, beats the family rowing/motor boat we moor opposite the allotment on the Stour at Fordwich (Canterbury's Roman Port)we float down stream through Stodmarsh NNR birdwatching a pint of Sheps 'Spitfire'(or 2) at Grove ferry PH & return under power!
ReplyDeleteSo... how about some updated pics?
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing her with yellow and black chequers painted down each side, rows of ornate windows painted on her stern, and renamed "HMS Surprise" or similar!
ReplyDeleteRoly (aka 'Arteis')
'Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing!'
ReplyDeleteKenneth Graham 'The Wind in the Willows'
Sums it up really. Have fun.
Guy
Congratulations on achieving your dream. She's a fine looking boat. And cheers to Guy for a "Wind in the Willows" quote!
ReplyDeleteSo why do all wargames immediately think "Pirates!!"?
ReplyDeleteHave fun and repel all boarders.
Cheers guys - I'm absolutely exhausted - ever since I bought her I seem to have been at maximum speed in order to fit everything into the all too short weekends...! Launch date approaches though, and it promises to be a brilliant weekend - game with DG on Friday, Salute on Saturday, launch on Sunday...
ReplyDelete