1K Lives- 1066 and all that

A local Muswellian friend of mine, John Squire-Melmoth, has been writing and reading a series a series of short stories, each of which uses exactly 1,000 words and some nice pictures to say something about an imaginary life.  This particular story caught my eye because of its connection with 1066, and because the subject lays in bed mulling over things historical before sleeping, in much the same way that I often lay there mentally reviewing my cohorts,  battalions, and painting plans in the early hours. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDfFomwnDjI&feature=channel

The story lasts around 6 minutes; enjoy!  If you enjoy this one, another story:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk5VBjeBGpo

is also dangerously close to home, for wargamers...

Hanging Gardens

A wonderful present arrived from my mate John Smillie yesterday; well, two presents.

The small complex of Eastern buildings is sturdily made from plywood, with removable interior floors.  He also gave me 8 or 9 small but very pretty fruit trees, some of which have multiple trunks.  I've just put these on the roofs, for the purposes of the photo.

Below is a view from the rear, I just love the buttresses.  If I ever get an Eastern city built, this will take pride of place.  Thanks, John! 

John has recently set up a blog about 45 Commando in which he served, and in which his son currently serves.  He is going to build a model, using a range of 54mm Marine figures he designed and sculpted himself,  to be presented to the Commando.  Have a look here.

He's also in the early stages of making some cypress trees for me.  No one makes any cypresses, to my satisfaction, and they are a key element of many mediterranean battlefields, so I await these with considerable anticipation!  I hope they will look something like the pencil-thin ones, below, which I saw on holiday in Greece.

John takes commissions, so if there's a building you've always fancied, he might well be up for it.  Drop me an email and I'll forward.