And so it begins dear readers. Another year. But at least this one has started with a glimmer of productivity from von Peter himself!
Russian Buildings
Back in September 2014 under the title Wargaming in various media von Peter himself showcased the thatched 25mm Russian Hovels building that The son & heir had painted. Way back then the paint had been applied but a base had not.
Roll forward to the Christmas holidays of 2014. von Peter himself is acutely aware that he has been a mostly idle b*st*rd during 2014 and a change is required. But where to start? There were several groups of figures on the painting table but somehow picking them up and restarting them seemed a little daunting. Inexplicably less daunting seemed to be a Russian building or two.
The son & heirs effort was retrieved and measured up for a base. Another of the smaller Hovels buildings was extricated from its postage box, similarly measured for a base and cleaned up ready for painting using the paint recipe that The son & heir had pioneered way back in September 2014. The result of the painting and basing can be viewed below …

Elements of the brave Russian 24th Division advance through the latest (at least at Schloss von Peter) in Russian real estate. Thatched building pigmentation care of The son & heir; timber roofed building and all basing care of von Peter himself. Click to see a larger and clearer image.
The painting was quick and easy enough – a base coat, a wash, two dry brushes and they were 98.7% done. So easy in fact that von Peter himself has already started a larger third building.
If there is a problem with these buildings it is the cleaning up of the resin which is a somewhat laborious task. von Peter himself found it best accomplished sitting under a grape vine on a sunny summers day while listening to music or podcasts. The breaking of a craft knife blade added a moment of excitement but the blade was old, it didn’t puncture von Peter himself during the structural failure and spares were to hand.
von Peter himself can officially proclaim himself satisfied with these two buildings. Any Russian peasant would be more than happy to call one home. What higher praise could there be?
There is a chance that a Russia based scenario or two may now have to be played. What’s the point of having terrain if the wee men aren’t going to die fighting over them?
Papelotte book
2015 (this year) minus 1815 (the year that Waterloo was fought) = 200 years which to the human brain is a significant milestone. Be prepared for plenty more 200th anniversary ‘stuff’.
Just in case any one was under the illusion that Waterloo was a purely British victory Peter Hofschröer had controversially waved the flag for the German input to the battle on behalf of the allies with his books such as …
- 1815: The Waterloo Campaign—The German Victory
- 1815 The Waterloo Campaign: Wellington, His German Allies and the Battles of Ligny and Quatre Bras.
And now perhaps Sovereign House Books are doing the same for the Netherlands field army during the 1815 campaign – or at least raising its profile. Cunningly borrowed from their website …
Sovereign House Books presents a balanced and most enticing history on the participation of the Netherlands field army during the 1815 campaign, based on the latest research of archival material and the largest available collection of primary sources and memoirs from the men involved.
So far they have published three books with a fourth to come …
- Volume One: 1815 From mobilisation to war
- Volume Two: Quatre Bras, Perponcher’s gamble
- Volume Three: Standing firm at Waterloo
- Volume Four: Invasion (yet to be published).
There is more information on Volume Three: Standing firm at Waterloo including some photographs that did not make it into the book to be found at http://1815fieldarmy.nl/news/120-papelotte-during-the-battle-of-waterloo.
von Peter himself has not seen these books though they do sound interesting. Certainly books out of the ordinary.
Blucher podcasts 4
For those of the dear readers who are interested in the yet to be released Napooleonic rules “Blücher” by Sam Mustafa the fourth podcast – Blücher Podcast Number 4 – is now available.
Somewhere different for a holiday stay- Hotel Napoleonico
Looking for somewhere a little out of the ordinary to holiday then you should perhaps consider Hotel Napoleonico, Portonovo on the Riviera del Conero in Italy. According to the History section of their website …
In the most panoramic and peaceful place of the Conero’s park, The Hotel Fortino Napoleonico is situated in a magnificient position among the green of the woods and the blue sea, created by an ancient military fortress. Lapped by the sea in view of two rocks of incomparable beauty (“The Two Sisters”) and the Romanesque church of St. Mary of Portonovo, artistic jewel of the eleventh century, the fort is situated a few meters from the beach of white pebbles of Portonovo. These features make this corner of Marche one of the most beloved and unique on the Adriatic coast. A very beautiful view and a relaxing atmosphere are the prerogative of this pristine area. …. It’s an authentic and spectacular military structure, located in Portonovo (Ancona), where there is a hotel with a restaurant of high repute. The Fortino Napoleonico was erected in 1811 by the Viceroy of Italy, Eugene de Beauharnais, with a clear political and military strategy, had the task of defending the southern flank of Ancona and implementing the Adriatic blockade in the trade of the British enemy. The typical perimeter shaped to “lantern” shows the Napoleonic origin. Built in part by recycling the stones of the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria of Portonovo, no longer present, It recalls the work of the great military architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini, and perhaps even the drawings and projects of Leonardo Da Vinci. Returned to the Pope States after the fall of the Empire and the Italian state after the battle of Castelfidardo in 1860, suffered the injury of time and vandals, falling into ruin. In the 60s the Fortino Napoleonico has been completely and tastefully restored following the original architectural lines and returned to the charm of the place. With regard to the beach, nowadays there are 4-5 meters in the narrowest part, while 200 years ago it is estimated to be approximately 100 meters. Converted into a hotel in 1969 after massive restoration, the Fort is the ideal base for a stay that includes history, nature and relaxation.
So a historic as well as a relaxing stay. Perhaps Fraulien von Peter herself needs to be introduced to the idea of a few days away from home. Perhaps the dear readership of this here blog could hold an inaugural get together there! Play a Napoleonic wargame there!! 😃
Right – that’s the dreaming time over! 😢

Those pop guns are going to be in serious trouble should the Royal Navy appear. Time to get back to the fortress! Image “borrowed” from http://www.hotelfortino.it
Don’t forget that you can click on the images for larger and clearer images.
Until we meet again …