Into Winter Quarters...

The last show of the year, nearby at least, is Wargamer held in Halesowen, three junctions down the M5 from GHQ. I believe that supporting local events is important on the 'use it or loose it' principle. There are generally some really good games, a decent trader turn out and a Bring and Buy, so going along is a no brainer really. The last couple of years I've been on my own, as Phil was busy elsewhere, but today we went along together to see what was on offer and meet several local chums too. If you were there, then you will know why the title of this blog entry is so apt on two levels: the end of the campaigning year, as far as wargame shows are concerned, allied to the lack of heating at the event yesterday! Arctic conditions not withstanding I enjoyed my visit, met up with some chums, saw some games, and did a little shopping along the way. The games first, starting with my old chum Dave Page and the Kinver Wargamers and a WWII game, Greeks v Italians in 20mm ~

I always enjoy looking at Dave's games, so much detail n show and always an usual subject or unusual slant; its a shame he does n't take his game to more shows. Next up, my old club Alumwell and a 28mm Peninsular War game with a mortgage's worth of Grand Manner buildings on view ~

Now a smaller game, but no less beautifully formed, by the Wyrley Retinue ~

Next, another Napoleonic game in 28mm, sorry in advance but I don't know who it was by. Masses of figures and those Conflix buildings which seem to crop up everywhere ~

Another 28mm game, this time set in the Zulu War. You won't need me to tell you which battle it was! It features the buildings and figures sold by Warlord Games and Empress if you need a clue ~

Next, so I'm not accused of sizism, a game featuring the little chaps, the Battle of Issus ~

Not the easiest of games to photograph using an iPhone! There were also a number of Participation games running; I rather liked this one, "Eating Hitler" from a scenario by Howard Whitehouse I believe ~

A WWII fest at the show in many ways: firstly a Western Desert game ~

A switch to the Western Font ~

There were many other games on show, perhaps more than in previous years, and the show definitely had more folk through the door than in years gone by, but I thought I'd end this personal selection with a couple of shots which show a game which predates most of us I would guess ~

Puts our hobby nicely into context I think and ends my personal selection from Wargamer 2016. I'll finish with a couple of gripes, leaving the lack of heating to one side for now. There is no floor plan in the A5 sized programme and many games had no information available as to what or who it was, very frustrating and not very reviewer friendly. I know I could take notes, but its easier to snap the information and then incorporate it into the Blog. I almost forgot; what did I buy? Two triads of Foundry paints from Ainsty Castings! Definitely last of the big spenders!