International Naval Wargames Day - Next Weekend

Next weekend is International Naval Wargaming Day**. Sunday August 6th is the day when naval wargamers all around the world celebrate the birth of naval wargaming and that of Fred T Jane. Looking at my forward plan its likely that I'm going to be playing a few solo AoS and pre-dreadnought games as I playtest a couple of new sets of rules - anything more elaborate is unlikely as I expect I'll be busy with Family/Horse taxi duties, but I should be able to get those important games squared away.

So, for those readers here who enjoy something naval (and I'm guessing that is quite a few of you) get yourself a game organised, solo or with friends and let the world know via your blogs, on Facebook, on TWW, TMP and other wargaming sites what you got up to :)

Cod War action from the recent Naval Wargames Weekend - HMS Mermaid escorts a Hull trawler in Icelandic waters

As an aside, readers could be forgiven for thinking that I've been a bit lax recently on the wargaming front. But in the last few weeks I've completed a host of new 15mm Russian Front models, kicked off a couple of new rule projects, spent an inordinate amount of time renovating horse jumps and doing other horsey stuff as well as having a very busy - and ultimately incredibly frustrating - time at work. So I do have an excuse for not having taken some happy snaps of the new arrivals and posted here. Anyway, its INWD next weekend, the Thornbury IPMS show the weekend after than and then I will catch up, as well as kick off the second half of the 2017 "Plan".


 **It is actually the inaugural INWG this year - having seen various other "niche" wargaming areas having similar activities I thought it was about time that the Senior Service had its time as well 😃

Attack 2017

The "Attack" show in Devizes is one of my favourite shows of the UK circuit. Its not too far from home and I usually get to meet many of my wargaming friends from Wiltshire and other places ar-flung from God's Own County of Gloucestershire. This year was no exception and I managed to catch up with quite a few old (and some new) friends. I also had a good time helping out with the Wings of Glory participation game - this time managing 4 "kills" over the day which is rather better than usual :)

This show was also notable since it was the first show I've ever been to where I could feed a guinea pig!

Anyway, here's a few shots from the show. Alas I didn't have time to take more.

Annie the Dice Bag Lady had brought her poorly guinea pig Nadia to the show, since she needs regular attention and feeding whilst she recovers from an operation

Cuuuute!!!

Naval Wargames Weekend 2017, Over for Another Year

I've just got back from the Naval Wargames Weekend in Gosport. As always it was a fun couple of days with a variety of games, although a bit quieter than previous years due most likely to the lovely weather which I think kept more than a few NWS members and wargamers away and on the beach. Despite that a good time was had by all and we were able to enjoy a range of games from Renaissance to moderns, as well as an excellent tour of the museum's reserve collection (including a Polaris/Chevaline missile and a Japanese Type 93 torpedo).

The Naval Wargames Weekend - Next Weekend

The sixth Naval Wargames Weekend will be held next Saturday and Sunday, 8th and 9th July, at the Museum of Naval Firepower (aka "Explosion"), Priddy's Hard, Gosport, Hampshire. Kick off is at 1000 on Saturday (gates open at 0915 for setting up) through to 1700, then 1000 until about 1600 on the Sunday.

As always this is a weekend of gaming rather than a fully fledged wargames show. The emphasis is on playing, seeing and discussing games, so it is a fairly relaxed event.

In the past the event has been free, but alas the museum museum are not able to host us for nothing so there will be an entry fee. This will be £5 GBP for one day or £7.50 GBP for both.In return for this, not only do you get two days of naval wargaming, but free entry to the museum (normally £11 GBP). We are also hoping, thanks to Nick Hewitt, to have a guided tour of the reserve collection (2 buildings not normally open to the public) on each afternoon.

 Games at the event will include: 1/1200 Napoleonic, Aeronef, 1/600 modern submarines, 1893 Pacific, Renaissance galleys, 1930s "What ifs",1/3000 WW1, "Mad Max on Water", and possibly the 1976 Cod War (if I can get my model collection sorted out in time!). There may well be one or to tables spare (or space can be made) if anyone else would like to bring a game a long Dreadnought Models (1/1200 dealer and books) will also be in attendance, and if past events are anything to go by then a number of attendees will be bringing books, games and models for an impromptu "bring and buy"