Greetings…
Well it’s taken longer than I thought to get this post written up…
I think it’s just been one of these years…
For me it started of with Flu… And a hospital visit.😳🙄
I’ve also had two Cataract operations… Which I must say has made a massive improvement to my life.
I have now got some decent prescription reading glasses for my close up work , but on a day to day basis I don’t need really need any glasses at all… ( I do however carry a pair of shop bought £3.99 readers in my pocket… just in case😁)
The house has been ( and still is) a bit of a building site… but the Cellar is now finished as is the work on my Wargames Room…
The only thing to do is get all my books and toys back on their shelves… This has been a slow process as I have had a rather bad Fibromyalgia flare up which has made moving me and objects rather painful.
Bit by bit I am getting there…
Most of these boxes are now empty and all my toy soldiers are where they should be…
Painting as a result of all this has been at a minimum… but I have assembled quite a few figures in preparation for my retirement…
Yup!
Retirement! Hurrah!… The plan is April.
So!
What are my hobby plans for the future?
I have planned out/ prepared/ front loaded for 6 - 8 projects/Collections.
In “All Plastic “…
Khazar Wars… Two forces for Lion Rampant…Khazars v’s Rus… Victrix Miniatures….8-10 units a side, all assembled while I was waiting for my eyes to heal…
The first thing I painted after the operations was a test unit for the Rus.
The Hundred Days…
Two moderate sized forces…All plastic… Made up of units that I think are pretty, based up in a way that will hopefully allow me to use a number of different rules systems.
I have already treated myself to a painted unit by my chum Mark Hargreaves at Over Open Sights.
http://over-open-sights.blogspot.com/2025/09/vive-l-empereur.htmlOver Open Sights: Vive L' Empereur!
In “ Metal “…
Pyrrhic Wars…
This is probably one of the bigger planned projects…
Four factions… Each 8 - 10 units strong…
Pyrrhic, Hellenistic Greek, Republican Roman and Carthaginian…
I have all the castings I need ( well probably more than I need 🤔)
Vandal Wars…
Vandals v’s Byzantines… Two forces for Lion Rampant 8 - 10 units a side with options for expansion.
I also have all the castings I need…Maybe 😆
Of course let’s not forget the Late Romans that I have just acquired from my friend David Bickley…
I have some rebasing to do… But I do have all I need…. Yeah!… Maybe 🤔🤣
Tintin…
A small project using Mark Copplestone’s beautiful “Marks Little Soldiers “
https://www.copplestonecastings.co.uk/list.php?cat=23&page=1Mark's Little Soldiers - Copplestone Castings
Not sure where this will go… But I’m thinking Rebels and Patriots or Men Who Would be Kings…
Syldavia v’s Borduria… What’s not to like.
Oh!…
And there is The Lord of the Rings…
A bit of an outrider here…
I’ve been collecting various bits and pieces… Thinking “Dragon Rampant “…
We will see where this goes as I always found it difficult painting Fantasy/Sci-Fi as it reminds me too much of Work… But as I won’t be working things might be different.
Also…
The Youngsters are planning something WW2… Set around operation Knights Move… I’m thinking a little force of Paratroopers… Maybe a Stug or two 😁
There also maybe a visit to “Pillage” later… I’m thinking Normans.
This is all on top of adding a few new units to my existing collections…
Well…
That’s the plan… Sort of…
I certainly won’t be bored…
But we all know what happens to plans….
All the best Aly.
Plans, nah! I stick with vague aspirations at best. I wish you a long and happy retirement with the little lead chaps. About those Late Romans now, just don't rely on that Baldinus fellow...Your chum, MaxPompImp
ReplyDeleteI can guarantee that the plan has already changed a bit since I posted this 🙀🤣🤣
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Not good about the flu, but your hobby room is coming along most excellent! Your plans for the year look busy indeed!
ReplyDeleteI’m over the flu now…
DeleteIt’s just the fibromyalgia that is slowing me down a bit…
The plans are for my retirement… I would have to paint a lot faster to get that lot done in a year
All the best. Aly
Sounds like our plans are similar. I'm 8-15 months from retirement and will be supercharging my hobby to replace work and really excited about it. More photos once your wargames room is settled please. Very glad the eye surgery has worked out. It's a wonderful modern age we live in.
ReplyDeleteI’m looking forward to seeing how my plans work out…
DeleteThere will certainly be more pictures of the Games Room.
Yes the surgery has quite literally been an eye opener
All the best. Aly
Aly, the games bunker looks awesome and this years projects will be very interesting to see come to fruition. Top stuff dude.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mark…
DeleteIf only I was fast enough to do all these projects in a year…
I will do my best though
All the best. Aly
Bloody retirement you bstrd! Lol, mine is still a few years in the future I think 🤔 Looks like you are following Mark advice and planning plenty of projects to keep you occupied!
ReplyDeleteI would say.. start front loading a couple of projects now Keith…
DeleteTime flies 😁
Yeah Mark has the right idea 😁
All the best. Aly
Plans are meant to be broken😉
ReplyDeleteThis one has already been dented 🤣🤣🤣
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Happy New Year Aly, all the best for your retirement (!) and hopefully the health issues are behind you. Interested to see your Tintin project as I immediately thought of the same thing when I saw the Little Wars figures.
ReplyDeleteA Happy New Year to you too…
DeleteMarks figures are very charming…
A bit like TinTin really 😁
All the best. Aly
Pleased to hear that the cataract ops were a success Aly. You are another to add to the list of people whom I know who have had it and had a beaut result.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the wonderful world of retirement. You'll only say that you shoulda done it sooner as you wonder more and more how you ever found the time to work!
Best wishes, James
Thank you James…
DeleteA few of my retired friends have said that they feel busier now than when they were at work … But doing things that they want to do.
All the best. Aly
You have a lot going on , looking forward to seeing future updates .
ReplyDeleteIt’s fairly bold plan…
DeleteIt should keep me busy though 😁
All the best. Aly
Your wargames room looks great Aly and your plans are very ambitious and all very interesting, looking forward to seeing your progress on them, retirement for me this year too but at the end of the year, looking forward to it big style!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Donnie
DeleteIt would have been a lot more ambitious if I had included all the half started/ never to be finished bits and pieces…
Fortunately I have friends who are benefiting from my reorganisation and clear out 😁
All the best. Aly
"Factions" for the Pyrrhic wars - you'll have the Yarkshire Gamer frothing at the mouth! The games room is looking very nice and a great space to indulge the hobby.
ReplyDeleteI’m very pleased with how the games room has turned out…
DeleteNext time I shall say “ Factiones“
🤣
All the best. Aly
The games room is looking fabulous Aly...green with envy...
ReplyDeleteThank you Mark…
DeleteAll the best. Aly
Well, troublesome as the stretch has certainly been, you are ahead of the game and it would appear (barring further surprises) that you will "hit the ground running" once retired--as opposed to retiring and then having a year or two of such unpleasantness...
ReplyDeleteI am more likely to hit the ground walking these days 😁
DeleteBut I will have plenty to do when I land…
All the best. Aly
Sounds like you've not had a great start to the new year, but I'm glad to hear you're back on track now; the games room is looking good - how big is the table? Or is that too personal a question?
ReplyDeleteNice to see you're tempted by Dragon Rampant for LotR - I thought I had all I needed but having enjoyed the games it naturally encouraged me to just add a few bits here and there.
Especially looking forward to the Pyrrhic project - what rules?
I’m really pleased with the Games Room Rob…
DeleteThe table is 6’x8’…
Dragon Rampant seems looks like it will work well with Lord of the Rings.
I am thinking Hail Caesar for the Pyrrhic Wars but I will base them in a way that will give me a choice…
All the best. Aly
Overall the positive do seem to outweigh the negative! Hope the health problems go away soon. I'm very envious of that wargames room... Good luck with all the plans and retirment; I'm sure you will enjoy it. :-)
ReplyDeleteVery true David…
DeleteI am indeed looking forward to taking it easy and painting toys…
All the best. Aly
New eyes really do make a difference don't they? Colours look so much more vibrant! Like the wargames room.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Rob…
DeleteThe difference is incredible
I am very pleased how the room is turning out…
All the best. Aly
Oooooh, all those shelves and the storage under the games table, You are doing it up right sir! Looking forward to seeing all of your projects develop over time. You certainly won't lack for something to do!
ReplyDeleteIt’s great getting stuff back out on the shelves David…
DeleteSomehow I don’t think I am going to be bored 😁
All the best. Aly
Sorry that you have been sick/ broken.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you’re on the mend and will be 100% soon.
Retirement sounds exciting and fun, and pleasant.
Enjoy it!
I am steadily improving Glenn..
DeleteRetirement certainly looks like it will be fun…
All the best. Aly
Room looks great, it's nice when you get cyborg eyes! Room looks great, gosh that's a lot to do in a year and no shiny?
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain…
DeleteThat’s my basic plan for my retirement… not just a year😁
I will also continue to add stuff to my existing projects…
I’ve just finished some Shiny Prussians which ( If Blogger doesn’t keep misbehaving ) I will post relatively soon.
All the best. Aly
Firstly, Aly the cellar gaming setup looks fab, I wish mine would stay tidy but I’m sure every night my wife goes down and messes it up deliberately ?. As for retirement good for you I certainly don’t regret it even if my plans got blown out of the water in the first 3 weeks ! It is certainly brave knowing your ‘butterfly’ to even write down a list ? Finally of course good to hear your health is going In the right direction…keep it up 👍
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt…
DeleteI think is my neighbours cat that messes everything up 🙀
There has been the sound of fluttering… Although I’m not sure if is from joy at the list… or frustration.
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
‘ all my toy soldiers are where they should be’ ….. this! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat news about the eye surgery and ambitious / fulfilling plans going forwards.
Thank you Norm…
ReplyDeleteAll the best. Aly