An English man's home...

...is his castle! Or in this case...

We spent a very pleasant half day here while staying at Bickley Mill Inn in South Devon.

If you are in the area the Castle is well worth a visit! The Inn was quiet as no wedding was booked in while we were staying. Oh, I can also recommend...

Back to the castle though, more a fortified manor really, with familial connections to Sir Walter Raleigh and the foundation of the Newfoundland colony ~

The plan and pictorial depiction give some idea of the layout and history. Photographs are no longer permitted indoors, but then noone told me at the time...

The Squirrel, model of an Elizabethan era warship.

An ECW era cannonball found during restoration ~

A few pictures now of the castle itself ~

The main gate originally defended by two portcullis.

Main gate, flanked by two towers, mounting block visible in foreground.

Tower enfilading the main gate, complete with murder holes (or garde robe?)

The Solar, still home to the present generation of the family, hence the photo ban!

The Great Hall in the centre there, with the spiral staircase to the Solar.

The Great Barn! Inside there were a large number of costumes to try on, for both children and adults. Did we have a go? Of course we did...

"Fear not my lord, for I have a cunning plan!" Image enhanced by a bit of background courtesy of AI!

The Tea Rooms opposite the castle, where visitors have to park, is also highly recommended by Sue (and me!)

Away Day in Hay-on-Wye...

...Book Town extraordinaire! Sue and I popped into Hay on our way to Matt and Sarah's for a weekend visit. I scored two books in the Hay Cinema Bookshop ~

I spent £16 in all, including £3.00 on the tote bag just for fun! I might have easily bought a couple of others but surprisingly in the circumstances I showed unusual restraint...I know, most unlike me. The choice of the two books I bought were really driven by the current Wars of the Roses project ~

As you can see an Osprey Campaign on the Battle of Towton, 1461 and the much more venerable Wargames Research Group publication by Ian Heath, Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 1. Phil tells me that it comes up on Ebay from time to time at anything between £40 -£60. So my purchase at £8 must surely qualify as a bargain find. Sadly in my second favourite second hand book shop...

...I failed to find any others relevant to the project. There were several ACW titles I might have bought in years gone by but at 75 that boat has largely sailed for me now. Nevertheless, a good visit and in the sunshine to boot! What's not to like? Well, the lunatic Welsh 20mph speed limits for starters. Politicians the world over, neither use nor ornament!

Personal Partizan Perusals

Phil and I have been over to Newark Showground in the East Midlands for the much anticipated Partizan wargames show, nay, extravaganza. 

I have taken random photos of aspects of games which pleased me, no mean task this in what is beyond a shadow of a doubt the very pinnacle of historical wargames events. A large and airy venue, acres of free parking, the hobby's leading traders and the very best of games both participation and display. Without more ado my take on the visual extravaganza on offer to the visitor for in my case as on OAP the laughable sum of £2.00, about the price of a tube of Pringles! My preferences for visual appeal in games can be enjoyed in the following pictures I offer for your viewing. Games in 28mm, 20mm, 15mm & smaller still were on display, not to mention the many crowded Participation games, the Societies and the Authors' Corner ~

On the downside the continued lack of 'rest seating' remains for me the biggest criticism of shows in general. The main casualties of the day being my wallet and then my...

At almost 73 I would welcome somewhere to sit and rest for a spell without intruding on my friends and their game. (Thank you anyway Kevin and Peter. See you at Claymore!)

Finally, as I mentioned my wallet in the butcher's bill, my swag from the day ~

Oh, and a copy of Sharp Practice & Card Pack for Paul!