79th New York.

The key to retirement is ones health. Without that, basic living is crap, but in retirement it is probably the most important thing, even greater than having a bit of cash. The last week or so has reinforced this given yet again. Im not complaining, heavens knows there are so many people worse off in this country, but it does knock the stuffing out of you sometimes. Anyway on a brighter note, I finally finished the 79th New York Volunteers. I really struggled to finish them, whether because I wasnt at my best or that I simply wasnt excited by the castings!

Still they will now take the table thank heavens.I did manage to paint up another Union battery using Perry figures that I do enjoy painting. I dont know whether its the simplicity of the way they are made and by that I mean they just look lifelike and not in an exaggerated way or its the fact that the figures faces are always great to paint. But I do find them a pleasure..

I also completed the final 'rout' markers using the odd Perry figure. I like the way these turned out, again they were a pleasure to paint.This last week I received this months Miniature Wargames and Wargames Illustrated. And although it would easy to twist on about their contents I am determined not to, however one thing has increasingly struck me and that's the real lack of articles with a historical background that a wargamer can use [copy].

Whilst attempting not to hark back too much, its very obvious that the era of amateur wargaming historians is well gone and has been replaced by something, dare I say. More bland.

I suppose it was inevitable. One can only have so many articles on a certain battle before it becomes very tedious but it was a great source of scenarios and one off battles.I have been lucky enough to keep all the early Arqubusiers, Slingshots and Zouave magazines.Each was produced by enthusiasts of a certain historical period, and the early magazines were always full of wargames that could be refought. Some were very good. Now I'm afraid, and certainly in the case of the WI, its an eye catching set of photographs and drawings coupled to some very generic information about some historical event or feature.This month its 'heavy cavalry? I'm not certain who they were aiming at with this months magazine but I cant imagine its the usual subscriber to the WI, well not unless they have been off planet for the last 40 years.I promised myself I wouldnt be too negative so I will stop there. I did like the images of the Crecy game though, all very inspirational. Hopefully this weekends Fiasco show will also inspire me to paint up some new stuff, preferably something that I actually enjoy painting.