Unfortunately I have had to take a very difficult decision regarding the blog. For a variety of reasons, but principally one of time, I have decided to suspend it for now.
With regard to 'Operation Nostalgia' and the landings on Rhodes, it was this last game that triggered the re-appraisal of my hobby. As I am getting older I am finding it harder to stand at the table for any length of time. Photographing and recording the tabletop events doubles the game time, which given my limitations, occasionally slows the process down to the occasional crawl. With this particular game I simply ran out of time before needing the space for visitors for a few days and at this point it became obvious that a reappraisal was needed.
I have agonised over this during the past couple of days and arrived at this very difficult decision. I am loathe to say that the blog is finished as who knows what the future will hold! I am hoping it will not be permanent and after a breather will reconsider if or how I am going to continue. An option I am considering is purely AAR's (which was my original intention) but not as detailed as now. As any wargames blogger will testify, it is a time consuming exercise but has its own rewards. I am also happy to have showcased the hobby and in particular 6mm scale gaming which I feel has a great future.
I am particularly grateful for all the support of other gamers and bloggers which is really appreciated.
And finally, as part of that reappraisal, I have decided to sell my 10mm AWI collection to focus purely on 6mm. I have also taken the extremely difficult decision to sell all my terrain boards which will be replaced with terrain mats. I need the space! The 10mm collection will be up on ebay this evening and I will update this posting with a link should anybody be interested. I will need time to sort out the terrain over the next few weeks but will post and update on the blog when up for sale (this will be for collection only - far too bulky to send).
The AWI collection will be in 3 lots (US, Anglo-Hessian and unpainted) as below (link here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303630690923) :
Sad to hear Jon but completely understand your point of view, one that has crossed my mind several times before for exactly the same reasons. I worked out a few years ago that the actual game took about a 1/3 of the time, 1/3 setting up and 1/3 (sometimes more) writing up the AAR. So frankly I could get way more games in if I didn't Blog about it. You can see why many people transfered to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc.
ReplyDeleteAs for terrain boards, I'm so happy I bought a GW gaming mat many years ago that is still good as new and is so versatile. Not as visually pleasing some might say as your terrain boards, but much easier to store.
In closing I hope the break gives you time to reflect and who knows, maybe you'll be back at some point! All the best.
Many thanks for your supportive comments Steve and also your support to the blog. I shall certainly miss the terrain boards but as you say, not ideal for storage. I recently bought a sea battlemat from Tiny Terrain and was impressed with the quality. Currently browsing their extensive catalogue for potential replacements.
DeleteI shall continue following your blog and all the best in your wargaming future.
Jon
I have really enjoyed your contribution and blogs, but completely understand you reasons. I hope you get to have some fun but not worry about photos and standing all the time
ReplyDeleteCheers
Many thanks for that Jacko.
DeleteI understand your pain - it's not easy writing these marathon reports let alone editing all the pictures.
ReplyDeleteCan I suggest that in time you consider posting some edited highlights from time to time?
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to your blog which I have thoroughly enjoyed since stumbled across it.
Very best wishes for the future,
Jeremy
Many thanks for that Jeremy. Yes I will be considering some sort of slim downed version for the future.
DeleteAll the best
Jon
Hi Jon Whatever you decide to do I am sure it will be right for you and your family which should always come first.
ReplyDeleteIf you need any assistance at any time don't hesitate to contact me....
Regards
Peter
Many thanks for your support Peter. Very much appreciated.
DeleteJon, as I have mentioned many times before (well, likely with EVERY BatRep you produce), your works are exemplary. Your level of presentation will be missed but your rationale for direction change perfectly understandable. Chronicling Battle Reports takes much energy. I wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate those comments Jonathan, and also your support for the blog.
DeleteAll the best
Jon
Hi Jon,
ReplyDeleteJust to echo the other comments on here already.
Your decision is sad, but totally understandable. I find your blog one of the best on the web and it is always amazing to see what you have been gaming and painting.
I believe your Waterloo and Napoleonic Campaigns as some of the best blog article series out there. It has certainly inspired me to begin my own collection of 6mm Naps with the hope of one day having enough to follow your example. :)
I wish you all the best, and hope that you might one day find some time to post the odd article, even just a quick update from the painting desk.
All the best!
Ed
Many thanks for your comments Ed. Chuffed that it has inspired you to collect 6mm Naps and hope you have as much fun as I have had and having playing this period.
DeleteAll the best
Jon
Hi Jon, I fully get your sentiments. The blog has been a gold standard benchmark, but I recognise the huge amount of work and time needed to make that happen.
ReplyDeleteNothing is forever and leaving the door open to come back with shorter AAR's is a good idea. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you enjoy your wargaming and some time spent just wargaming for yourself will undoubtedly be a good thing.
Thanks once again Norm for your support pretty much since I started the blog. I marvel at the work rate you and other bloggers undergo to ensure regular posts.
DeleteI do not like the idea of giving up on the blog completely, it definitely brings a new dimension to the hobby for those who take the plunge. A slimmed down version may well be a possibility.
All the best
Jon
Sad news but fully understand your decision. This blog has been an inspiration to many and I will miss the stunning AAR's from all of your projects. I recently posted a link to your first Rhodes game with the small unit of British Paras on my Cold War Commanders Facebook group as a great example of how to play a small game. It seems the group are now looking at starting the Operation Nostalgia campaign as a new project. I do hope you decide to keep the blog going in what ever way suits you Jon. Take care and I shall go back to beginning and relive your wonderful Napoleonic Campaign.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Richard P
Thanks for your support Richard and pleased you enjoyed the blog. Also great to hear that other gamers have been inspired to do something arising from some of my games. It's normally me inspired by others!
DeleteAll the best
Jon
This is indeed a bolt out of the blue Jon, but it is also fully understandable given all the time and effort required to maintain a blog to such a high standard as yours. I can only repeat what has already been said - your material has been exceptionally inspirational throughout. Many thanks for all your hard work and dedication for the benefit of your followers and best wishes for the future. Hopefully it will be an au revoir and not an adieu!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks also for your support Mike. It was not an easy decision to make and I certainly appreciate the dedication needed by yourself and other wargamers in maintaining their own blogs.
DeleteAll the best
Jon
I always enjoy reading your blog entries and I can see by the quality of your collections and AARs etc, the time and effort that you put into it. So like the others, I get your reasons. You have to do what is best for you. Thanks for all your efforts.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, the past five years or so I have considered doing a wargaming blog and a couple friends of mine have encouraged me to do it but in the end I decided it's way too much work.
Just enjoy whatever way you continue your wargaming, in the end it's all about having fun!
Many thanks for that Joseph. Yes it is a commitment in running a blog but it does have its benefits. It makes you think deeper about how you present a wargame and has provided me with the incentive to improve my terrain collection and painting style. It can also bring more in-depth meaning to campaigns in particular where you are relating a story to readers. But ultimately it does require a degree of commitment.
DeleteAn option I am considering is just posting on the campaigns but with reduced AAR's which will hopefully still be informative and entertaining but less time consuming. All for consideration in the future.
All the best
Jon
As others have said, it's a completely understandable decision but one that many people will be sorry to hear. Your AARs and pictures have been great to see and very inspirational. Best of luck with whatever direction you decide to take in the future. Dave
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Dave and pleased you enjoyed the blog.
DeleteAll the best
Jon
Thanks for all the great pictures and commentary, wonderful stuff. Hoping that this is just a short hiatus.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Dave.
DeleteSad to hear but thank you for everything you have contributed Jon. Your 6mm Napoleonic battle reports in particular have been an inspiration, and something I spent much time examining. Being the web all your past work will remain a treasure trove for everyone, and best wishes for whatever future ventures you turn to.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks and pleased you enjoyed the blog.
DeleteKind regards
Jon
The 6mm world will be the poorer for the loss of your blog. I have enjoyed your writing and the obvious care you take in putting the content of your blog together. I also understand the impact of writing a blog on gaming time. Enjoy the extra time suspending blogging gives you.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Elenderil. May be back one day albeit in a little less detail. Something to ponder over the next few weeks and months.
DeleteHi Jon, I came across your blog about 12 months ago while doing research. At the time I volunteered to write up AAR's for games ran by our local game group. I became addicted to reading through all the past game reports as I became immersed in your campaigns. Although I am not a 6mm gamer I was certainly inspired to adopt your ideas on updating my terrain, improve the lighting in my photography and to use PowerPoint for creating maps. I have also used PowerPoint to record movement in my own solitaire games too. I felt compelled to write to express my appreciation for all the work you have put in to maintain your blog and to say thank you for being an awesome inspiration.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your kind comments and pleased that you felt inspired by the blog. It was my intention to do my bit for the hobby and hopefully provide encouragement.
DeleteHi Jon
ReplyDeleteHope this finds you well and in good spirits under the present conditions.
Regards
Peter
Hi Peter.
DeleteFine here thanks and trust you are well too. Have been spending the time saved from the blog in revamping most of my current projects. Once complete I hope to resume the blog albeit the AAR's not quite as detailed as before. It is a question of balancing the time for the hobby.
All the best
Jon
Jon-
ReplyDeleteYour blog has been an inspiration for me since stumbling upon it some 30 months ago, reading through your great Waterloo re fight that has surely become the stuff of blogging legend. Even without new posts, it will be a frequent reference for me when I run into doubts about running big campaigns, or fighting the truly large battles! I wish you nothing but good health and a positive future, sir.
All the best,
Rolland La Haie
Hi Rolland. Really appreciate your kind comments and pleased that my blog has enthused you for the hobby.
DeleteKind regards
Jon
Dear Jon,
ReplyDeleteI'm just adding to the sentiments of others: all the best.
I really enjoy your blog, which is a 'model' of how to do it, as others have noted. Having come late to it I can now catch up! :)
I do hope that you are able to return to it, but, whether you do or not, you have something wonderful here for you and others to enjoy.
Kind regards,
James
Many thanks for those comments James. I am hopeful to resume something fairly soon. Spending the time saved reviewing my existing projects and creating new ones with the focus on compaigns.
DeleteAll the best,
Jon