The Plan for 2026

My favourite hobby photo of the year:

Hi all, I haven't been that active over the Christmas break and January. Usually the plan over Christmas is to watch old war films and paint/organise miniatures or play some wargames. I have always dreamt of playing Battle of the Bulge games on the appropriate dates, but by the time I can it feels too late. I am currently reading Ardennes 1944 by Anthony Beevor and am thoroughly enjoying it. In fact, the section talking about Hürtgen Forest was what inspired me to set my current campaign there. Anyhow, over the break I found myself watching not a single old war film, but instead starting up Foyle's War. I watched that back as a late teen and remember enjoying it immensely. I am enjoying seeing almost any british actor who has ever acted make an early career appearance as a small character. 

I haven't done any painting/terrain building/wargaming over the entire of January. The truth is...I discovered Minecraft. We bought a Nintendo Switch for the kids - a family console to play Mariokart and Lego Jurassic Park. They also got Minecraft and have been enjoying building crazy stuff on there. I decided I would start a survival world to get the full experience. Since December 30th I have spent most evenings watching Foyle's War or The Office in the background while working out how to play that game. I have watched a lot of guides and tutorials and have discovered that the world I spawned in has a terrible spawn. I am on a forested island quite a long way away from anything good. However, I have used it to learn how to build houses, how to mine for diamonds, how to go caving, and how to survive the game. It is fascinatingly simple, yet complex all at once. 

The Plan for 2026

I intend to carry on my Iron Riders campaign over the coming months. I just want to get past January - it is a busy, long month at work. 

I would like to paint my US Paratroopers platoon and my Waffen SS platoon. I would also then like to purchase some British paratroopers. I would like to play some Arnhem games. 

At some point I will carry on the Another Day in the FiveCore campaign. The same goes for the Five Parsecs from Home campaign - although I might develop that into a second campaign with a new crew (some characters we already know). 

I am also going to start saving money to treat myself to a 3d printer, if not at the end of 2026 then in 2027. 

I hope 2026 treats you well.