Bling

Hi all,
         Here is some ancient bling from my local Museum in Birmingham, UK.

This is a replica, it must have taken quite a few hours to do now, so the original must have taken months to complete.

Please Note: This is not a permanent exhibit.

Ivor Cogdell

Ambleside Roman Fort

Hi All,
         I have just got back from my latest holiday in Ambleside, at the top end of Lake Windermere in the lake district. I did plenty of walking and photography, As a bonus for us wargamers, it has a partially excavated Roman Fort. I thought you would like to take a look around.

The main gate, looking NW.  To the right, the trees are where the tower would have stood.

In front of the main gates is a covered drain, made from stone slabs, running north-south, with two access points, possibly to water horses or cleaning off sandals before entering the fort.

Looking North.

The Central Layout (South to the left.)

The Headquarters Building

From the corner of the Commander's house.

SE corner of the Commander's house.

SW corner of Commander's House

I think the HQ had a plunge pool, rather overgrown now. I missed getting a pic of it this time, but I will slot it in when I find it among my earlier visit photos.

Looking NE.

Looking East.

Looking towards the shore of Lake Windermere..

The shallows have been lined with stones for better grip and durability, for when boats were pulled ashore for unloading cargo..

Cows on the early external Tower position.

This was possibly the only time that the Romans used an external tower connected to their rampart.

View from the tower across the site.

Another view of the tower area.

Looking South, the Granary store is the nearest building.

The Granary Building's thick walls..

Looking West.

The original appearance of the site, the lake is to the left with the river behind the walls at the top. The vicus or civilian settlement would have been in the lower right area.

The Plans of the forts.

Not sure if this video works??.

Enjoy.

Ivor Cogdell

What I have been up to

Hey folks,
               Apologies for the lack of content lately. As I mentioned in my previous post, I have been going on refreshing walks, trying to resurrect my art website (then finding out that the website I went with does not have a lot of free storage to play with, drat). I have been indexing my artworks, over 540 pieces, that is now finished. I have completed one painting for a work colleague who was leaving and I have another one on the go at the moment. Going out metal detecting, with high hopes (but finding not a lot), at least I got some exercise and some (theoretically) "fresh" air.
               I have actually been gaming as well, but the role-playing game sort, playing Chuthulu (horror). Our gamers are currently playing Chuthulu set in ancient Britain A.D. 70. My character met a grizzly death at the hands of a deranged zombified druid, just after I went completely loopy due to seeing an "Old One", newly summoned by the head druid. My ghost is now appearing to members of the party, upsetting them no end.
              I have some Mordheim games still to write up, one is in the process of being updated, but I may have to do them out of order, once I get the chance. I have started to paint up some 6 mm Dwarfs, as well, for future skirmishes.
              I have just posted some Roman goodies on the site for you history buffs, so that has topped up the content a bit.

"Easedale Crags" (C) Copyright 2019 Ivor Cogdell. In a private collection.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

35th Birmingham Jazz Festival

Hey folks,
                Its been a bit quiet on here lately. I have been going for more walks to get a bit fitter. I have also been attending the local Birmingham Jazz Festival, the 35th Festival so far. I have also been doing some sketches of some of the bands that I have seen.

The Chris Bowden Trio

Chickenbone John at The Bull's Head.

More to come.


Ivor Cogdell

Barrage Show from Stafford 2019

Hi all,
        Here are my photographs from the Barrage Wargame show in Stafford.

"If you went, did you enter into the jungle?"

"All sorts of nasties waiting for the unwary."

"Blood Bowl" in the gaming room. I have never played it, but seen a few videos, good fun.

Another match going on. "Will he fall for my cunning plan?"

One of the stalls selling SF Layouts. Lots of goodies.

Another shop display.

Another way to get rid of all that loose change in your pocket.

All budgets catered for.

Spearhead.

"Get stuck in, Lads"

"Which window has the sniper in it?  No beating your hands on the table in anger."

A nice idea here, the vertical cards in the terrain block the line of sight and give a visual representation as well.

"Battlemats at the ready,? Then "Chocs Away!"

40k Battlegrounds now .....

One of the painting competitions.

Add caption

"Where to go next? "

A battle mat depicting boats.

"You may recognize Mel, the Terrain Tutor Blogger and Author, who I bumped into while we were both taking a break. If you see him at a show, give him a wave. For more details, go to -  http://www.theterraintutor.co.uk/
Highly recommended, well known in the hobby, so if you are stuck on a build, drop him an email or one of his vlogs.

"Thanks to his "Better Half" for taking the photos.

Mel can be found at theterraintutor.co.uk. Enjoy.

That's your lot for pictures.

Personally, I bought some ancient battle rules, a Frostgrave supplement and the Fading Suns core rulebook, some scenery bits and some 15mm figures.

Thanks for a great show everybody.

Ivor Cogdell