I finally got myself motivated to get back to the painting desk over the last couple of evenings, and here are the results! one of the many advantages of the 10mm figures is - I can paint heaps of them in quite a short period!
These are the "attacking" legionaries from the fabulous Cromarty Forge 10mm range - these ones arrived with my overseas visitors at the tail end of September.
If you look closely at the centre base, second row, you can see the Optio figure, the 2 ic of a century.
An Optio was stationed at the rear of the ranks to keep the troops in order. Their duties would include enforcing the orders of the centurion, taking over the centurion's command in battle should the need arise, supervising his subordinates, and a variety of administrative duties.
The Centurian in the front rank has a side-to-side plume, whereas the Optio has a rear to front
I put a 28mm Perry figure next to the unit to give an idea of how tiny 10mm figures are!
Now, having pulled in an audience with a few toy soldier pictures, I am going to inflict the next stage of my recent holiday on you poor people!
These are all the images of our seven days in Rarotonga (Cook Islands)
All ready for a good stay!
Some holiday reading!
Our first day, we visited these gardens
Not a hazard sign you see every day! The car hire lady did warn us not to park under coconut trees, because any damage would not be covered by insurance!
First stop for cocktails and beer - we once again saw some passing whales 9like we did the previous year) but no pics this time.
An international award - the French get everywhere!
Time for another cocktail!
Reef cruising boats at Muri Beach
Entertainment at the local Saturday Market
Some local kai (food) - tuna steaks!
An unexpected visitor one morning! The local dogs are very friendly but totally free to roam wherever they feel like - they often walk along the beach with a random passerby for a while, then head home again
The start of the cross-island walk - its recommended you have a local guide and involves some really rough terrain, so we didn't go much further!
A few shots of the harbour in the main town Avarua
This one is for Dean of WAB fame!
And its time for cocktails (and food) again!
Local fire show
Our friend was back again next morning!
We took a stroll along the beach for about 5km
Popped in here for a liquid refreshment - the girls hopped on the local bus but Gavin and I walked back the way we had come.
And then - it was time to head back to New Zealand again.
I am off to a game at Julian's tomorrow - first one in almost two months - and no idea what we are playing but hopefully should be a fun day - an AAR will follow in a day or two, no doubt.
Woweewow! Those 10mm EIR figures look fantastic, Keith. The details on the armor and shields are amazing. Your painting really makes them pop. Your holiday scenes are equally impressive! Your accommodations even come with a four-legged buddy too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean, the detail on these tiny 10mm figures is truly amazing...makes painting them pretty easy!
DeleteDid you spot the yacht from your home state in the pictures at Avarua?
The Cromarty Forge look really nice little sculpts and you have done them proud, nice work on them. Some stunning scenery on show from your holiday photos too.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Donnie, I am glad you appreciated both the figures and holiday pics!
DeleteWell the holiday in paradise looks gorgeous so obviously I’m not in the slightest bit envious. The 10mm guys are the shizz and I was on the cusp of ordering some when I found a layer of 10/12 mm kalistra metal ones in my lead pile that I probably should build on instead. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWell, you are almost French now, JBM, so it's really beneath you to envy ANYONE, ANYWHERE, isn't it?!
DeleteThat'll teach you to go rummaging around in things that are best left alone, now, you miss out on some lovely new Cromarty 3d figures......dun!!
Your massed Romans are great as are your lovely photos of Rarotonga. Unlike JBM, I will not mask my envy.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Jon, they do look rather effective en masse, don't they? Starting on auxiliary archers and cavalry now....and some Britons aren't too far away, hopefully.
DeleteCracking work on those 10mm figures, which are really nicely sculpted and good quality prints too. When you mention the Optio, I though you were talking about a magnifying visor or something!
ReplyDeleteWell, hard not to feel envious of those holiday snaps, especially on a cool, damp and cloudy November day! I think I'd spend most of my time in the canoe or exploring inland. SWMBO on the other hand would be in food heaven with all the fish dishes on offer;).
Thanks Steve.....yes, great figures and Rarotonga is a wonderful destination for sun, sea....and food ( not to mention the odd drink, too!)
DeleteThose Romans look superb and I gather by the subject of your book that some Celts may be on the horizon
ReplyDeleteCheers Scotty...and re the Celts, that is the plan!
DeleteBeautiful looking miniatures sir!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like them, Michal!
DeleteThe Romans are looking excellent. I have picked up the Epic Hannibal set, so I will follow the Cromarty figures with interest.
ReplyDeleteCheers Norm, thanks for your visit and comments! Shame you are no longer blogging, so we cannot follow along with your new Epic project!
DeleteThe paintwork on the Romans is fabulous. And the holiday looks like a blast.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Richard, very kind of you!
DeleteYour Roman units look very splendid.
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter!
DeleteGreat work on the Romans Keith. They look like lovely little sculpts. It looks like you had a very relaxing time in Rarotonga, so probably just as well you had some nice new figures to draw you back into painting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence, they are very nice figures, and the holiday was certainly a great break from the usual grind!
DeleteNice tiny little Romans Keith….
ReplyDeleteLovely scenery, Good friends, Good food, Good drink and blue skies…
Sounds horrible… 🤣
All the best. Aly
Cheers Aly...I know, it's a hard job, but somebody has to do it!
DeleteGreat pics of people big and small, in places real and imaginary.
ReplyDeleteGlad you’re getting in a game again. Gaming once every two months is the pits. I know. 😀
Thanks Stew....to be honest, with my friends here, I didn't really miss the gaming too much...but yes, it was good to get a game in recently!
DeleteGreat looking Romans Keith. If I didn't already have a ton of 15mm ones I would be hopping on the bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of Rarotonga. Definitely something different for your Scottish friends.
Thanks Ben....they do make these figures in 15mm, too, if you need any reinforcements?! 😀
DeleteNice to see you had a chance to get away to the Cooks for a few days, Keith.
ReplyDeleteCheers Mark, given we were there a month ago, it is a distant memory now...but it was fun while it lasted!
DeleteI've got to say those Romans look bloody brilliant Keith! I know you say the figures are made easy to paint, but they don't paint themselves, so full kudos to you.
ReplyDeleteNow your holiday: crikey, your cup runneth over. What a stunning looking place.
Thank you for such folsom praise, Chris!
Delete