Welcome to my blog, the story of my continuing journey into the World of Zombie Wargames.

Monday 15 March 2021

Happy Days

Sorry to disappoint but this has nothing to do with the Fonz, but the history of this post does go back to around the early 1970s ( I told you I was old - right ?). About that time the very first "Old Western Skirmish rules" were born and were eagerly leapt on by myself and another friend MIke Bell. He was so into the Wild west that he went to see it for himself (though it wasn't wild then). He told me of a story of him pacing the front of what was  the Condon Bank in Coffeyville Kansas, which was then (iirc) a travel agent, but now is a Visitor Centre.
Coffeeville, is the town where the infamous Dalton gang met their end - just in case you were wondering.
Mike and I drifted apart due to real-life complications around the same time, but neither of us lost our interest in the "Wild West".
Fast forward to modern times and thanks to Facebook we once more made our aquaintance, I followed his journeying to Wyoming researching and holidaying.
His research, on the "Wild Bunch"  culminated in the publiction of his book "The Day the Train Robbers came" (The June 1904 Parachute Train Robbery).
I awaited the publication and was delighted when it eventually made it to Amazon (£12 - paperback).
I asked him, almost jokingly,  how I could get a signed copy and he said he'd fix it for me.

Last week  a parcel arrived with a signed, hardbock, copy of the book:
"To Joe Newton, one of those who inspired my wild west Journey.
Mike Bell."
 Along with this tome came two other, what would best be described as Booklets, "Outlaw Roots" - discovering the lineage of Leroy Parker, better known as "Butch Cassidy", who has Geordie connections it turns out.
The second  book "Who are those guys ?" - a quote from the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", telling the story of the Pinkerton agents that featured in the film (though iirc they didn't chase Butch or Sundance).
The building in the background is near where I live
"Butch and Sundance"
The books are going to keep me busy for quite a while probably to the detriment of my hobby time) and I'm really looking forward to putting my feet up and savouring the contents (I'm already halfway through one !).
In other news my painting are looks like a bombsite once more, but I am making progress on my westerners (or as I now call them - "The Village People" referring to their Xmas Village heritage!)
The "village people" in their current state.
The current tip that is my painting area !

That's it then for another week, I'm very near to getting some figures finished, but as always,  real-life will no doubt rear its ugly face and try to stop me.

Thanks for taking the time to visit and of course, as always, your comments are both welcomed and
appreciated.

16 comments:

  1. What a wonderful gift, from a true friend after all these years.
    Nice progress on the models Joe, look forward to seeing them finished, if the books don't get in the way ! LOL

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    1. Thanks Dave, he'ss one of my oldest firends a great bloke.
      I'm pleased to make any progress on these figures, slow as it is.

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    1. Thanks Michal, the books were a fantastic gift from an old friend

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  3. That's an excellent gift! And I love your "Village People"!

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    1. Thanks Matt and welcome too!.
      A most unexpected gift from a wonderful chap.
      The village people are slowly turning into westerners.

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  4. Some good books to read there and nice progress on the Village people.

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    1. Thanks Brummie, progress is slow but steady on all fronts.
      The books will be an intersting read no doubt, who hasn't kheard of the "Wild Bunch" ?

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  5. Great story & goes to show that long lasting friendships that are not just 'Facebook Friends', can provide benefits at the oddest of times. Sure we may not speak to our lifelong friends daily, but things will make you pause & remember them. As to your painting table....pretty much the state of mine all the time, so your not alone there!

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    1. I must admit that a lot of my FB 'friends' I know little about other than whatever ties us together on fb (eg wargames), but firends from my younger days I can chat to and pick up wherever we left off, no matter the time apart. I'm in the lucky position to have picked up several
      old friends in similar circumstances.
      Asfor the table, I blame the figures not wearing uniforms!

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  6. Getting the right inspiration is very important.Very nice gift from your friend I must say.

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    1. Thanks PTr., you're absolutely right, any project needs an occassional spark to keep the momentum going. This has been just such an injection of enthusiasm.

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  7. That's brilliant Joe, what a great gift! And the "village people" look the business even in this early state 😀

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    1. Thanks Ivor, the village people are beginning to look the part of westerners imho.

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  8. What a fab pressie! I bet you're well chuffed?

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    1. Thanks Ray, I was more chuffed just getting back in touch with an old friend, but it was a fabulous pressy.

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