All The Thrills of the Big Top!

Phil and I went to 'Partizan in the Park' yesterday, my first ever experience of a wargames show in a marquee! I admit to having been very sceptical about the event when I first heard of the double booking solution and the decision to hold the show in a tent! What would it be like if it rained? If it was hot? If so many attended both events you could n't park? If the caravaners turned up? Talk about a dismal Johnie! As it was, we set off at some ungodly hour and arrived at Kelham at 9.20, parked up easily and sat outside the Pavilion eating a very acceptable bacon buttie and drinking a cup of coffee - and watching the queue grow until it reached, and then passed, our table. The queue abated quickly after 'opening time' and in we went!
First impressions: it was so light you could see everything in comfort; the first tent was muggy and crowded but the other two were much better at first; it all got a tad close but then folk opened side panels here and there and it was much better; the loos were a long walk away; traders seemed busy and had all on my list, always a bonus; the games looked really good, so clear you could marvel at every detail; the VBCW folk are all very friendly, but totally crazy too! So, some pictures, starting with the VBCW game, my personal stand out game ~

Many of the other splendid games provided for our entertainment ~

Having reflected on the games overnight, I hope you'll agree with me that they provided a visual spectacular, whatever the size of the table and however many figures graced the table top battlefield. For me, attending shows is always first and foremost seeing the games {I'm clearly sold on the view that wargaming is a visual spectacle or its nothing, the Cecil B De Mille approach I guess!}; meeting friends, and making new ones; oh, and of course a tad of shopping! My purchases then ~

If you believe in Karma: I received a kind gift of some WWI Brigade Games Indian cavalry from Dave P. Later in the same day I came across 9 more on Colonel Bill's site and bought them to add to the Rhanzlistan Field Force {collecting at Partizan earned me a 10% discount too}. When I picked them up I learned that only minutes after someone had contacted him complaining the site would n't let him buy the Indian cavalry still listed of course at that stage! Talk about a lucky strike for me!

So, a great day out with spiffing company and wonderful weather to boot! A special Thank You to Dave and Ally of Great War Miniatures for the kind gift of a British Cavalry machine gun set and to Duncan at Trent Miniatures for sorting out my preorder for odd figures for the French Revolutionary War project! Roll on September!