FARM COTTAGE PROJECT
I've been planning to build a 54mm farm cottage for some time. Having discovered a rather nice sheet of cardboard at home, there was no excuse for delaying it further. Thinner card was used to construct the roof tiles. Matchsticks furnished some of the window features. And a sheet of 1/32 stone wallpaper completed the look. Including glue and paint, the model cost less than £5 to construct.
LEAD AND PLASTIC ADDITIONS
A visit to the collectables shop furnished a mixed parcel for £4. I was particularly impressed with what I believe is an early Scalextric mechanic. I wanted a couple of Airfix Japanese to complete a LMG crew. And I found three lead items for my farm display.
I'm going to have to look again at Scalextric figures, the scale is fine, and it has furnished a very useful addition to my garage staff.
And here is the mechanic revamped and based. No need to replace missing parts on the vehicle, it forms part of my planned garage forecourt.
A MINOR MEDIEVAL ACTION
Decided to set up a quick medieval game with a member of my family. A simple dice mechanism required a river setting with several small woods. It also provided the numbers involved. I stopped playing balanced point-based games many decades ago..... history just doesn't support such a notion. And while 'some' will be ever-so-keen to choose what they believe to be the likely winner, I judge my success on capturing a period feel, a realistic result, a fun game, and some nice photos. I always allow guest players to 'choose' their army.
And here are some more converted and painted Japanese.
A MINOR MEDIEVAL ACTION
Scenario
The city states of Italy were divided into pro-Pope (Guelph) and pro-Emperor (Ghibelline). A Guelph commander had raised an army of professionals (mainly Milanese and mercenaries) to capture a nearby Ghibelline town. However, spies had warned the latter of his plan, and their local ruler decided to advance out and blockade an important river crossing. These defenders would be half professionals, and half civic levy. Dice were then thrown and it furnished 55 Guelphs against 40 Ghibellines. I granted the latter the right to construct some field fortifications, and also position some artillery. Chris viewed the situation and chose the defending Ghibellines...... I sort of guessed he would, he never chooses a French-flag faction lol.
The Guelphs Advance
While the Guelph commander was en route one of 'his' spies reported (D6) that the opposition had deployed at a key river crossing. Oh well, he would just have to take it by force.
MOVE ONE The Guelphs deployed for battle and moved towards the river.
The Ghibellines looked on with trepidation.
MOVE TWO The Guelphs advanced, their shooters now deploying in open order. But Chris had a secret plan for his Ghibelline cavalry.
MOVE THREE proved to be a serious blow on the Guelph pikemen. Numbers fell from arrow, quarrel, stone and shot, and my saving throws failed. While this was going on, Chris led his mounted contingent on a flanking move. I chose not to respond as I could not have seen this occurring.
SOME NEW FLAGS COMPLETED
MOVE FOUR My Guelph pike block was already near half strength. While my shooters were unable to reply effectively as their targets had cover. The pikemen now made space for the Milanese retinue, who were ordered to cross the bridge. MOVE FIVE Shooters now opened up on each other with some real effect. But it was a casualty on the civic levy archers that shattered the Ghibelline line, they panicked (D1). The situation had now reversed.
By MOVE SIX the game was effectively over, my archers were now free to silence the bombard, taking out all three unprotected crewmen. The Milanese retinue were about to take the bridge. The Guelph cavalry spotted the flank attack and had time to face them. As they outnumbered the opposition by two to one, the outcome was fairly clear, and the Ghibelline cavalry wisely chose not to engage.
Guelph losses were twelve. Ghibelline were eight, but with enough time to safely retire from the river crossing and then back to their home town.
HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE
A notable feature of the Guelph-Ghibelline conflict is that city commanders often hired professional fighters, or mercenary companies. As you would expect, these fellows had to be paid promptly, or they would seek employment with another, including the enemy. It is also clear many of these fellows had little or no sympathy for their adopted side, and this led to the recruiting of foreign fighters of note that might prove to be more committed, such as Swiss pikemen, or even English archers. Officially, the conflicting parties ceased to fight each other by the 1320s. Unofficially, the party labels continued to influence Italian Wars during the fifteenth and even the early sixteenth centuries!
MOVIE LINK
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY (1965) is a superb and moving account of Michelangelo's relationship with Pope Julius IInd during 1508-12, and stars Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison. I have access to the full movie but only clips are available on Youtube, but here is a splendid battle scene.
A naval ensign, and two Medieval. 
AND FINALLY SOME MORE OF THE CHEAP LEAD ITEMS RESTORED
AND FINALLY SOME MORE OF THE CHEAP LEAD ITEMS RESTORED
A rather nice hand water pump.
Some Rabbit hutches.
MGB
Some repaired beehives.
Some more farm animals
Some fencing for the Railway Inn.
Some rather useful stiles.
