Albanich 2012

First Scottish wargames show of the year today in Dumfries - Albanich. Small show but well supported by some good traders and some very good display games.

Glasgow & District Wargames Society took our Very British Civil War display game, 'We are not amused'. The Duchess of Argyll is shipping arms to the BUF and are intercepted by the Clydeside Brigade. Scottish Government forces intervene to ensure neither side gets their hand on the weapons. The battle was fought along a shallow river (Last Valley) and through the village. The Clydeside Brigade eventually fought their way across the river but not in sufficient numbers to exploit their victory.

A good day out and as always good to meet other clubs and pick up some supplies. In my case plenty of bases from the excellent Warbases, some scenery from Last Valley and some German tanks for Flames of War. I resisted some lovely Aventine Elephants, for now at least!

The Duchess own unit and BUF platoon defend the village

Another VBCW game from Dumfries

Impressive Dublin uprising game

The Legion

Just finished my latest Simon Scarrow novel 'The Legion'. This is in his Roman Empire series following the adventures of Macro and Cato, now both Centurions, around the Empire's wars.

This episode takes place in Egypt. Cato and Macro are chasing the slave pirate Ajax along the coast where he is impersonating a Roman unit and destabilising the Empire's hold on what was a vital province.

He is eventually cornered by the flotilla led by Cato, but escapes overland. Ajax heads for Nubia and joins up with the Nubian army that has launched a major attack on the southern provinces. Cato and Macro are ordered to join the 22nd Legion and Cato ends up commanding the legion after the death of two previous commanders.
Scarrow is a master story teller. His books have real pace and his heroes have that anti-establishment edge that make them interesting and powerful characters in their own right. The model is of course Sharpe, just back a few centuries. Be warned this is very difficult to put down!