It's Monday, so it must be London

I managed to get my final entry into the LPL on Wed (photo to follow once the competition ends on Sunday) before heading off the Germany and, then, a weekend in Mansfield care of Tempus Fugitives' Tyrant of Babab campaign weekend.

Here's my commander (and alterego of the last fifteen years - Durfast Spiritwolf) and some Wolf Scouts

It was a great event as always with Maelstrom Games providing many advantages over WHW - not least on security of toys. I still missed the old venue, but the management of GW seem intent on tearing their business apart. Despite the strong emotions some have towards them, I think that GW have been an asset to the hobby, not least in attracting many new players and developing some talented sculptors. Hey ho!

Anyway, back to work (and the dissertation) before I can treat myself to dipping brush in paint again later tonight ;-)

Cold turkey

School boy error no. 1 - not taking a piccy of nice shiny HYW men-at-arms before leaving  home and e-mailing them in for the LPL round 9.

School boy error no. 2 - leaving painting tray in Blighty during first phase of move to Denmark because 'it was only for a week and herself had priority in any space in the car as she was staying here'. So, in addition to withdrawal symptoms, now have only two nights to finish off round 10's entry.

School boy error no. 3 - there is no number three (apologies to Monty Python).

School boy error no. 4 - bringing so many wargames magazines with me that I can successfully procrastinate during the time I should be working on my dissertation.

School boy error no. 5 - oh and start a blog to provide even more options for procrastination.

School boy error no. 6 - and then there is t'internet in general.

School boy error no. 7 - and several wargames forums in particular...

Stand by Vikings - it's payback time!

I'm now safely ensconced in Aarhus, Denmark and for your delight and entertainment - Sir John Cornwall and friends:

crusader serjeants

Guy de Lusignan’s serjeants

A formation of serjeants in the pay of Guy de Lusignan, king consort of Jerusalem, led by one of his household knights.

Guy was the one who suffered the major character assassination in Kingdom of Heaven and was, in my opinion, a pretty good egg.

On 4^th October 1189 he faced Saladin in battle once more – this time on the plains of Acre. The battle was a one-all draw tactically, but in forcing Saladin to withdraw, he achieved a position of strategic advantage (I’ll save you too much more detail).

Anyway, whilst Guy was leading the reserve to pull his assault force’s arse out of the fire (including saving the life of his archrival Conrad of Montferrat). The garrison of Acre sallied forth to try and take his camp. Not all was lost, however, as Guy had left his brother, Geoffrey and James d’Avesnes with a strong force of infantry to hold it. In meantime, Guy coming galloping back and helps to drive them Muslims away – hurrah!

These serjeants are dressed in the house colours of the Lusignan family and the knight wears Guy’s personal heraldry, as was the norm in the late 12^th century.

Run away

I'm hiding in deepest darkest Suffolk today, but managed to finish off the Lusignan serjeants before I left - photo to follow.

In the meantime, here are the Constable of France's crossbow men to tide you over:

Back in the saddle!

If I don't start this now, then I probably wont get around to it again for another several weeks. So, despute the fact that I should be:

Finishing off a taxing paper on the battle of Acre

Painting up the entries for the last two weeks for the Lead Painters League (HYW)

Finishing off the unit of Serjeants for the Guild 2011 build (Third Crusade)

Preparing for a move to Denmark (next Friday)

Oh - go shopping has just been added to that list and is working its way energetically to the top

I am trying to bump start this blog. So to save further ado, here are some photos of my two major projects on the go at the moment:

HYW:

Boucicault's MAA (above) and crossbowmen (below)

earl of Suffolk's retinue making some last minute preparations

Sir Gilbert Umfraville's retinue fends off the Frenchies

Third Crusades:

pilgrims

a conroi of Templars

Richard de Sablé, Master of the Templars