Finally A New Back Door

Woke up this morning to find unexpectedly that my mate Andy had come round to put on the backdoor which is double glazed, along with his girlfriend and more of the clan. Couldn't stop to talk to them for too long as I had to get ready for work. The old door and door frame were in really bad condition. The door frame looked terrible and it swelled when it rained. It was partly that problem which meant I was unable to open the door last time. Just getting rid of the old door and its frame was an improvement in itself. Andy is going to make more improvements to my flat over the next year.

Rapid Fire!

Have also decided to put up the Rapid Fire! photos that were given to me on that disc plus the ones I took of Steve Graham and Tony Crute's game using RF in the next few weeks. Determined to get back to the website tomorrow. Must pay some bills as so far I have accidentally left them a bit late.

Been following the news footage of the floods in the UK over the past few days which has been terrible to watch with entire communities including businesses being devastated by them, having no clean or running water, no power, damage to their homes. The Government better give them all the aid they need to get back on their feet and respond quicker. The most tragic story I heard was of the pregnant woman in one of the flooded areas being airlifted to safety though things seemed ok to then hear it was hours later she lost both babies she was carrying. I am sure the emergency services are doing the best they can.

Special Delivery

The original Star Wars has been 30 years old weekend just gone. Found a trailer on youtube for the Star Wars Special Edition films which came to the cinema in 1997 - its 20th Anniversary. In the Special Edition movies Lucas remastered, cleaned them up, added some deleted scenes, added new music for some bits and redid the special effects. I've got the SE versions on DVD, which I also watched at the cinema. That is I've got on DVD the SE versions of A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. What is not so well known is that I have the original Return of the Jedi Theatrical version on VHS dating back to the end of the 80's. Might be worth something but keeping it for now. I liked the little tune at the end sang by the Ewoks. You don't get that in SE.
The youtube trailer for Star Wars Special Edition is below. May the force be with you.

Return To Wargames Land

Return to Oz, sounds catchier, doesn't it? Or even Return of the Jedi? Sorry, I am a Star Wars fan and the original Star Wars (1977) turned 30 weekend just gone. May the force be with you always.

I went to the club tonight. Had arranged to join in a game but it didn't happen in the end. Ended up just watching and taking photos. The games that were on were:
20mm WW2 Eastern Front using Blitzkrieg Commander: Steve Mercer's Russians with a little help from Ron Skeet playing as Russian; Dave Tuck's Germans.
War of the Spanish Succcession with Paul Robinson, his son James, Mark Alcock and Andy Hamilton. Mark playing British with Andy Hamilton on his side with some of Andy's Austrians. Some photos are below.

Steve Mercer's IS2's, looking rather mean.

Some of Steve's Russian Infantry crossing the river to attack Dave's Germans.

Dave Tuck's German Tanks with some infantry behind. I have not resized this pic properly by accident so it will be HUGE when you click on it.

Dave's German Infantry overlooking the stream, with a nice view of the enemy the other side.

Andy Hamilton's Austrian Infantry from the War of the Spanish Succession game downstairs on the big table. Andy, of course, on Mark's side.

View of the centre of the table. Clash between Paul's and Mark's forces. Forces on the British side by Mark. All figures on Paul's side by Paul.

View of Mark's British forces. In particular, look at the horse drawn artillery at the forefront.

View of some of Paul's Forces.

The About To Comeback Kid

Not having had a lot of sleep I nearly nodded off around 7pm, choosing instead to pay a flying visit to the club. Went after 9pm. Thought that if I'm not up to a game tonight I could at least show my face and have a chat. Not been for weeks. At the club there was this huge game going on the large table downstairs with muscovites involving Jason Whitfield, Andy Sharpe, Ron Skeet, Dave Tuck and Steve Mercer. Upstairs Andy Hamilton and Tony Walmsley were playing 15mm Seven Years War again whilst Steve Graham and Tony Crute were playing 20mm WW2, this time using Blitzkrieg Commander. Turned out they had made a disc of photos of their games for me which Andy Hamilton had been looking after. Andy got it for me just before I left. Asked Dave Tuck and Steve Mercer if I could join in their WW2 game next week, which they said I could. Promised to bring Mr Camera along.
Had a quick look when I got home. There were loads on that disc, some of them with Danny on them. Of course they were all using Rapid Fire! which is great. Will hopefully get some up within the next month. Not done anything with the site or even the photos for a while. Not been on TMP for a while either.

Walking On Sunshine

Had a lay-in. Had planned to go the Star Trek CCG 2nd Edition Tournament this afternoon but it didn't quite work out. A friend popped round just as I was about to get ready and he didn't leave till 12.50pm. Hadn't even got ready by then. By the time I had I thought it was too late so abandoned it.

It looked like a pretty nice warm day so decided to get a shower before setting out. Decided around 5pm that I would go for a bike ride possibly to Cleethorpes and back. Got on my bike went to People's Park, stopped by my friend Pete's and Helen's for about an hour, Weelsby Woods before heading for the seafront, pedalling pretty quick on my mountain bike. The sun was blazing and it was really hot. Finally deciding to cool down and catch some sun, I unbuttoned my shirt for several hours and had a really good bike ride along the seafront right up to Anthony's Bank before heading back down the front up to where Wonderland used to be. Wish I hadn't worn my jeans though. Should have put shorts on. On the way back I dropped into Andy and Sara's for about half an hour where Chris and his girlfriend Kirsty were looking after the house while Andy was in Crete. It had cooled down a bit when I came out.

Yes, It's Another Day Of Rest

Didn't do much today at all. Just watched Telly, did a bit tidying up, some shopping and watched more Telly. It is my day off. I even treat myself to £30 phone credit, which should last me months. Turned out I still had a decent amount in the bank and with payday on friday, even with another direct debit to go out, it looked possible. It also helps that some Working Tax Credit has been paid into my account. It's not a lot but every little helps. Got it in writing from Customs and Excise this morning too regarding my tax credits. They are of course collecting payments off me due to being overpaid last year. At the same time however I am also being paid some into my account every 4 weeks. Around £30 actually. That small amount should help pay towards either the gas or electric each month if nothing else.

It was good to see the release of the BBC Journalist Alan Johnston on the news today. I regularly watch BBC News 24 and have been following that story since it broke. Alan was abducted on March 12th which is the same day we had the Border Reivers game at our club. Alan looked well but pale and well spoken, effectively covering his own story. At least he doesn't have to go back there now. I signed the petition for his release on the BBC Website some weeks ago. Hope he goes home, meets his family, has a short rest or holiday before returning to the job he does so well.

Stormy Weather

Didn't go to the club yesterday after all. Didn't get my casual kit ready in time, watched some telly and lost track of time. There also seemed to be a storm looming so decided not to go. Watched Telly including watching the finale of Doctor Who again. It was really good. Sad that Martha has decided not to go travelling round the universe once more but have heard that she may appear in the next series though probably as a guest. Apparently there is going to be a new companion.