The plot thickens ........

 

Having viewed the Ancient ruins the party returns to their 'steam coach' to return to the hotel - when they are approached by a strange somewhat disheveled man* who introduces himself to Miss Marples and passes here a envolope containing a message for the local Helenyk Commander.

Miss Marples on returning to her hotel secretly meets the local Army Commander and passes on the message . What does it contain ? - all will be revealed in the next episode ..........

*some authorites think this might be Richard Hannay who was know to be active in the Balkans at this time.

An (not so) Innocent abroad - Miss Marples .

Miss Jane Marples is holidaying in the Republic of Helenyka and has becided to visit the ancient Temple of Diana , she is being accompined by the Republic's Head of Antiquites Heinrich Schliemann and two stalwart local Mountineers as the site is very near the border with the Sublime Porte, who since the break away of the new Republic have still been contesting this region .All very innocent you might think !? BUT rumour has it that Miss Marples has links with the British Secret Service and has worked on behalf of both Treboria and the Helenyk Republic ! - could there be more to this holiday than meets the eye ??? ...........

 

The German Naval Attache goes down with 'lead rot' .

 

Over my wargaming career of about 55 years I have been lucky in that I have only come across 'lead rot' a few times . I have been sorting out and re-boxing my 40mm Balkans Imagination collection when I came across this chap - he was purchased as part of a job lot and is a bit big (50mm) really but I cleaned him up , repainted him and he became the Naval Attache to the Sublime Porte . However he is now showing signs of the dreaded 'lead  rot' 

I'm not sure why he should have developed this as none of the other figures in the box have it ? , I believe he is more or less pure lead so this might be a contributing factor . So Ive cleaned all the old paint off , given him a vigorous brushing and a new sword scabbard that snapped off due the the cleaning and will undercoat and re-paint him .

The Naval Attache in happier times - this photo is from 6 years ago so hopefully I can return him to this condition .

Gamer braves Artic condition for a game.

 

'S' braves the Winter conditions - outdoors and indoors - my wargaming room is notoriously cold in winter weather . However he succeeded in winning the game , sorry no more photos , probably had my hands in my pockets because of the temperatures . 40mm Imaginationns using AGW and an entertaining game whatever the weather.

Holiday desternation ? (well for the 1900s)

 

The Treborian Tourist Board is trying to push the area to attract foreign holidaymakers - unfortunately in the past the industry has had some very poor publicity ---

Who can forget the fervor in the International community over the above -.: H.G.Wells to the rescue (or a Daring Escapade) + .: Mr and Mrs Walker get arrested .

So hoping for better things they have a new publicity campaign.

They are emphasising the 'rural idyll' of the area.

The rugged mountain scenery and picturesque locals .

Various Euro/American personalities have been invited to help with the premotion. Here we see Mark Twain (in white) and a Lady 'who is definately not Mrs H G Wells .

Here we see Oscar Wilde visiting the Tomb of Vlad 'the Impaler' (?sic?) accompanied by the head of the Tourist Board .

The new Republic of Helenyka has got into the act as well (pity about the spelling mistake) on the poster - it will be interesting to see how the promotional campaign succeeds ? .

Back to the painting table .

 

Just got back to figure painting and decided to crack on these Russian infantry for the Revolution , they are 28mm Copplestone and being mainly khaki a good way to get back to painting.

These have been undercoated . washed and awaiting painting for a few months now ! and their time has arrived . The chap standing at the front is Garibaldi which I think was a sample figure from an Italian firm - very nice but with postage - expensive , so he's a one off I'm afraid. 

Toy Soldiers in Art No. 22

 

No not a photo of the editor ! (my hair was NEVER that curly), I found this on the Interweb over Christmas , it's a postcard and I think the stamp is a French one . The figures I think are flats or semi- flats, the cavalry on the left may be round 54mm ? and the others 40mm ?, there is a military band on the right under the tree . Dated circa 1900 + perhaps ?., click on photo to enlarge.