Beating Retreat?

 Or perhaps even The Last Post? Well, either would have sufficed as title for my review of the goings on in GHQ over the past twelve months of 2021. A year only so far exceeded in awfulness by its predecessor, 2020. I would hope that 2022 might be a tad more acceptable when I come in time to write it's review, but I'm far from optimistic given that Boristhebarsteward and his clowns are still overseeing proceedings.

Of course the year began in Lockdown, so no face to face games were permitted. As I would find Zoom and it's ilk next to impossible to follow as a deaf person, my gaming fix came vicariously via chums who posted videos and blogs of their remote gaming. Thankfully, when Lockdown restrictions eased sufficiently, Phil, Jon and I were able to meet up for games once more. My desk diary shows that since then we have played 33 games here in GHQ, at Phil's and at Jon's. While that's far short of the number we'd aspire to in prepandemic times in the circumstances I'd think its a decent return. Of these though I only Won 13, while I Lost 16 and 4 ended as Draws! A below average performance in tune with the below average year I'd say! Despite everything though I enjoyed every one, if not for my performance or dice throwing then for the friendship and steadfast company of my friends. I've also encouraged William in his enthusiasm for gaming in GHQ. Who knows, he may have caught the wargaming bug from Grandad...

Given that for endless months Face to Face games were off the agenda you might think that was reflected in an increased output across the painting desk. It seems not when I run the numbers and I do find that strange. Over the year I have completed 671 figures, all in 28mm. While there have been some odd additions to older projects, for example the recent Austrian Light Cavalry Brigade command base, the bulk of the effort went in first completing the Punic Wars armies and then in painting two armies for my Tales From Pendawar project set in India between 1800-1806. Like it's predecessor, the Punic Wars collection, this project too featured in an article in Wargames Illustrated. Another intermittent effort over the year saw additions made to my ACW collection, and not all from my usual choice of Dixon Miniatures' figures either. End of Days perhaps? Well no, you'll be glad to know, as I've four new Dixon Miniatures' units in the Lead Pimple!

The Wargamers' Year for me, as for most of you I'd guess, is often punctuated by visits to favourite Wargames Shows. I had managed to attend both WMMS and Hammerhead in March 2020 before the pandemic struck, but since then there had been zilch on offer! In October, with more than a tad of concern, Phil and I attended The Other Partizan! I went I must say mainly to meet my son Matt and catch up with his news and see his wonderful 100 Years War collection in action. Of course I was able to meet a few, though not all, of my usual chums from the north as a bonus. I even bought a few bits and bobs too! However, I was far from comfortable in myself amongst all the mostly unmasked hordes and so decided not to try and attend other shows that followed on.

As for most years though, I probably bought far more than was needed or even sensible given the limitations of GHQ; it's not the TARDIS after all! The addition of the Tales From Pendawar armies and expansions in others has strained the storage facilities almost to breaking point, so perhaps some rationalisation might be in order next year. Or then again perhaps not...

Finally, looking forward to the New Year with what little optimism I can muster right now, this is how the Lead Pimple shakes out: two infantry regular battalions for the Army of the Pendawar Presidency; for the ACW, the Sussex Light Dragoons are underway and three infantry units are patiently waiting their turn; for the FRW I still have the Scots Greys to paint. That's it really, the 15mm Cold War Gone Hot project will fit in around them I'd hope over the coming months, but I think it will be a back burner really. 

I couldn't end this review though without mentioning the tragic and unexpected loss of Duncan MacFarlane, former editor/owner of Wargames Illustrated and of Trent Miniatures. Even now I find it hard to accept that a rock of my hobby and wargaming life has passed. He will be in my thoughts and prayers as the year turns, as will you all. I will close now then by wishing you all a Happy New Year! I hope to see you all back here in GHQ over the course of the coming year.