Ready Made Imagi-Nations

I've been a bit lethargic of late, not able to stir myself to do anything even though I have a list of jobs (both domestic and hobby related) to get on with. A post from Tradgardmaster on his blog gave me a nudge, so today I got into the garage for a bit of woodwork, starting a log box for son number ones birthday at the end of November. So much for that.

During the hiatus I kept up with various blogs and forums I frequent, probably spending too long doing it, if truth be told, and amongst my browsings I came across the following map.

This shows European countries re-dilineated into areas that have equal populations. My first thought on seeing it was "what a basis for a set of imagi-nations". I don't intend to do anything more with it, but I pass it on just in case it may be of use.

Holiday Excersise

MrsJ and I are having a week caravanning in the Yorkshire Dales. Lots of walking followed by lots of lazing about. Generally recharging batteries ready for MrsJ to start a new job when we get back. One of the areas we looked at was Holmfirth, home of 'Last of the Summer Wine', one of my favourite programmes, and here is a photo of Nora Batty's steps, with Compo's house, now an exhibition on the programme, below it. Unfortunately MrsJ refused to pose with wrinkled stockings.

Thre's no wi-fi at our next site, so that's it till we get home on sunday afternoon. At least I get to watch 'Bake-off' tonight.

Early Naval Wargame

As some of you may be aware, another of my many interests is fretwork and the collection of old 'Hobbies' magazine designs. I've recently acquired a dozen from 1912 to 1918, and amongst them is the issue for June 7th 1913, which includes part one of a series called 'The Naval Wargame' by John English. Unfortunately I have no further parts, but can show you the pages for this one.

Reference is made to ".. H.G.Wells' articles in the December and January numbers of The Windsor " and that readers will no doubt have been bitten with the desire to try his game" it states that land warfare in miniature needs much setting out and preparation and that Wells' game makes no provision for infantry fire. 

Then onto the naval game proper.

The ships are made from appropriate pieces of wood, the scale depending on space (indoors or outdoors), and it is interesting that the ships have different speeds (in inches per minute) depending on type. For example, HMS Lion is 14in per minute, while HMS Duncan is 9and a half inches per minute. Turning circle radius is the length of the ship.

Unfortunately that's as far as part one goes. I shall be sending the magazine on to John Curry for his project, and he may be able to find the missing episodes. Of course, if any of my readers know more, please let me know.

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After a hectic summer doing 'family' and garden type stuff, hopefully I can get back to my other

(more important) hobbies now the weather is changing? 

HMS HOOD

For those of you into garden naval wargaming, how about this one I came across last night? Over 100,000 bricks, weighs 14 stone, and 20 feet long. There are more detail photos on the builders flickr page that show the amount of work that has gone into it. Quite a few news reports appear on the listing when you google lego model hms hood.

Unfortunately it makes my poor 24 inch effort look pretty pathetic. I'm just in the process of fitting motor and battery, then off to the local pond for a try out. Only free running unfortunately, no radio control, so I forsee a lot of running about trying to catch her!

Another vessel, this time with radio, will be on the stocks soon. It's a choice at the moment between HMS Exeter at 28 inches, or HMS Vanguard at 25 inches. Perhaps I should ask for a poll?

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I'm still around

I'm being a bit quiet on the military front at the moment, mainly because I've been undergoing some medical procedures involving a part of the chest, and only now are the bruises gone. Then after an Easter trip to the York model railway exhibition I came down with a stomach bug, where the taps at both ends of the body appeared to want to empty every thing inside. Still on a water diet, but feeling better, so, Alan, your query will get worked on soon.

In the meantime, I came across this on the 'Fiddlers Green' website, thought you might enjoy it.

My bookcases

Following a post by Tradgardmaster (sp?) over in his Duchy, and as I find myself agreeing with his habit of studying otherb peoples bookshelves , even to the extent of studying them in photos in those 'celebrity house' type magazine articles (sad, I know), I'm popping a couple of pictures in here of some of mine.

First up is an overview of the main collection. This is basically the reference section for my military, woodworking,railway and general volumes. On the opposite wall are two more bookcases containing my bound issues of Model Boats and Railway Modeller magazines, both going back to the mid 50's. (I didn't start buying them till the early 60's but purchased back issues later) The table, just in shot, contains current research for a new model railway based on a projected , but abortive, 19th century. tramway in Lincolnshire.

Then at the top of the stairs I have two smaller hand-made bookshelves containing a more fiction biased collection of old favourites. You can probably see more titles here, when enlarged. There are two other cases in the bedroom, but MrsJ has some space in those.

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I came across a new (to me, anyway) blog through TMP yesterday. If I have this is right it is - turkishtoysoldiers.blogspot.com , and obviously seems to cover the subject quite well, I liked the Lego Gallipoli dioramas, and this battleship (of which, no more details).

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A new TV programme

While sitting here nursing a King sized cold I caught the trailers and first episode of a new (to me at least) programme on the Yesterday channel called "The Re-Inventors". Did anyone else catch it?
This seems a similar programme to Mythbusters but the technicians build and try out old inventions. The episode I saw involved a 19th century proposal for a solar powered crematorium! The final 'coming next time' section shows them building a medieval Chinese flame throwere, and the trailers seem to include a number of items with military applications, including a Da-Vinci machine gun and what looked like a Prussia (?) 19the century helmet gun.


I could be worth finding appropriate episodes.