It is that time. Start of a new year (which better not be as shit as the last two!) and the hobby review of the past year and plans for this year. Too much going on over the last week to get the review in before the end of year so it’s all coming in one post!
It was in many ways a stressful year and not just the shitshow that is Covid. We moved house in May after 20 years in Heaton. Quite a big step for us and we’re now in Whitley Bay and five minutes from the beach. Work to do on house but hopefully break the back of that this year…
So..to the hobby… Despite a long break around the house move I think I did quite well.
| 42mm | 28mm | 15mm |
|---|---|---|
| 35 foot | 178 foot | 179 foot |
| 1 mounted | 33 mounted | |
| 1 gun |
So not bad. The 28mm was a mix of Dark Age and C18th stuff. Here’s a selection…
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So, what were the plans for 2021? Here’s the list with the reality…
Ayton – Covid killed the May meeting which should have been the postponed from 2020 10th Anniversary game and was supposed to be a a big C18th ImagiNation game. A few of us did manage a meetup near Newark in September to rollout the C18th stuff and playtest the rules we intend to use for the main Ayton game in May 2022. Details here: https://blog.belisarius.org.uk/2021/09/c18th-imagination-playtest-game-newark.html A great weekend and good to get the troops on the table. All being well, Ayton will happen in May and the big C18th game will be awesome!
We did manage an Ayton gathering in late November. A good turnout, 30mm ACW, Kumbayah, 42mm Shiny and other games on. A great weekend (which I’ve still to write up) and great to see everyone. Only downside was I came back with Covid which screwed me up for the first three weeks of December… No one else. Just me. I’m just lucky I guess…
Fallschirmjaeger and 28mm WW2 – had great plans to start on the May’40 Kickstarter figures. Didn’t happen…
15mm Fantasy and Frostgrave – a good few 15mm fantasy finished in the first part of the year along with more scenery. Not much in the way of games though. I took advantage of the Battle Valoe Kickstarter so have a pile of 15mm stuff landing soon so may return to this…
Great Northern War 15mm – still have the figures. Have more books. Soon…
20mm WSS – had hoped there would be a gathering at some point in the year for a game and that I’d finish my cavalry brigade. Didn’t happen. Possible one this year but not sure yet I can make it…
Games – Newark and Ayton. That was it. Despite being a 5 minute walk from the Whitley Bay Club I’ve been rubbish and not made it down. REALLY need to remedy that in the coming weeks – Covid permitting.
GOODBYE AMAZON! – I’d planned to just give up on Amazon. Buy local. Buy direct. Managed it for the first 6 months and then after the move we needed some bit urgently and it was the easy option. And then became the default. Again. Will try again this year…
PLANS for 2022
Not really sure on this. Covid still looms over us but maybe with some sort of respite in sight. So here goes…
Ayton and C18th – I don’t NEED to paint anything but Ayton is always a good target to get extra stuff done by. I want to round out some of my brigades so they are better matched and not odd units. So ideally I want to do two infantry regiments and two cavalry regiments. That will do…
Great Northern War 15mm – would still like to make a start on this…
C17th for Ayton 2023! – yes. We are going C17th for Ayton next year. So I want to paint a few units and I want an excuse to buy the Bloody Miniatures ECW figures!
Advanced Squad Leader – I would REALLY like to get back to playing. It requires a bit of a commitment and as before I’m reluctant unless I can be sure I’ll be able to stick with it. We shall see…
Sorting and selling – I have less space now. Something needs to go…
And that should really be it. I don’t intend to buy more figures before Ayton. I hope Vapnartak goes ahead. I REALLY hope Ayton goes ahead. and I hope I get to a couple more weekend games. Always good to see the LAW guys. And hopefully tonight I’ll post the first of the daily updates again. Ayton, Covid and Christmas scuppered them for a while but they are a great motivator!
Happy New Year, all and here’s to a much much better 2022!
A
That’s a splendid review, Andy, and it clearly shows that you’ve manage an awesome output, even given the disruption of the move.
And your toys are gorgeous. Clever sod.
Iain
Excellent work on that painting, and well done on surviving the plague in fine fettle!
I hope to see you again in the near future, Bug Spread allowing…