My wife and I have spent most of today in Herne Bay, Kent, visiting my father-in-law. On the way there we did his weekly shopping, which we delivered to him before we took him off to look at three apartments in a wardened block of flats.
Herne Bay Pier. It was completed in 1899 and was originally much longer (3,787 feet or 1,154m). It was damaged in by storms in 1978 and 1979, and the central part was demolished in 1980, leaving a landward stub (on which a sports centre was built) and the remains of the landing stage (which was at the far end of the pier) isolated from the shore.
He is now 96 years old and he has, after several false starts, decided that he can no longer cope with living on a bungalow on the outskirts of the town, and that he needs to be much closer to the centre of Herne Bay. We have looked at several apartments in a suitable block of flats that is only about 100 yards from the main shopping street and supermarket in Herne Bay, and today we returned to look at one for a second time because he thought that it might be right for him. As it was, he decided that the apartment was not to his liking, but one of the other two that were on sale was exactly what he wanted.
We took him home, and after a discussion he asked us to sort out the purchase of the apartment for him. This meant that we had to return to the centre of Herne Bay to talk to the estate agent who was selling the apartment. We made an offer on the apartment, but the estate agent was unable to get in contact with the vendor and so we went and had some lunch. We also paid a visit to the bank and began the process of trying to organise the finance for the purchase.
We then paid another visit to the estate agent, but they had still not been able to contact the vendor. They agreed to let use know if the offer we had made was acceptable (or not) to the vendor, and after a bit of 'retail therapy' in the local shops (including a newsagent that sells a small range of different models and modelling materials), we drove home.
We both arrived home feeling absolutely shattered, and it took us several hours to recover. I did, however, manage to spend some time in my toy/wargames room continuing my search through its contents ... and made an important discovery. Behind the storage boxes containing my Hexon II terrain I found two flocked and gridded terrain boards. They are gridded in 5cm x 5cm squares, and each board is 60cm x 90cm (or 12 squares x 18 squares). They very suitable for use with my PORTABLE WARGAME ... and I hope to use one them for my next play-test.
There is only one thing that is bothering me ... I cannot remember making the boards. It must have been some time ago, but I just cannot work out when.
He is now 96 years old and he has, after several false starts, decided that he can no longer cope with living on a bungalow on the outskirts of the town, and that he needs to be much closer to the centre of Herne Bay. We have looked at several apartments in a suitable block of flats that is only about 100 yards from the main shopping street and supermarket in Herne Bay, and today we returned to look at one for a second time because he thought that it might be right for him. As it was, he decided that the apartment was not to his liking, but one of the other two that were on sale was exactly what he wanted.
We took him home, and after a discussion he asked us to sort out the purchase of the apartment for him. This meant that we had to return to the centre of Herne Bay to talk to the estate agent who was selling the apartment. We made an offer on the apartment, but the estate agent was unable to get in contact with the vendor and so we went and had some lunch. We also paid a visit to the bank and began the process of trying to organise the finance for the purchase.
We then paid another visit to the estate agent, but they had still not been able to contact the vendor. They agreed to let use know if the offer we had made was acceptable (or not) to the vendor, and after a bit of 'retail therapy' in the local shops (including a newsagent that sells a small range of different models and modelling materials), we drove home.
We both arrived home feeling absolutely shattered, and it took us several hours to recover. I did, however, manage to spend some time in my toy/wargames room continuing my search through its contents ... and made an important discovery. Behind the storage boxes containing my Hexon II terrain I found two flocked and gridded terrain boards. They are gridded in 5cm x 5cm squares, and each board is 60cm x 90cm (or 12 squares x 18 squares). They very suitable for use with my PORTABLE WARGAME ... and I hope to use one them for my next play-test.
There is only one thing that is bothering me ... I cannot remember making the boards. It must have been some time ago, but I just cannot work out when.
Could be terrain fairies...
ReplyDeleteMy memory issue, at 44, I have a clear recollection of doing some curling once. (It's big in my state.) But I don't remember, when, where or with whom. It's so tactile a memory, I find it hard to belief I imagined or dreamt it.
A great end to a useful if shattering day for you. I hope you enjoy your find this weekend.
ReplyDeleteAlan
Captain Oblivious,
ReplyDeleteThe way our memory functions does not often seem to make a lot of sense. I cannot remember when I made these terrain boards ... but I can clearly remember my brother being born, and that was 58 years ago!
All the best,
Bob
Tradgardmastare,
ReplyDeleteIt was a very tiring (and trying) day (a deaf and somewhat cantankerous 96 year-old is not the easiest person to take to visit possible new homes).
Finding the terrain boards was a great way to 'lift' the end of the day ... although this morning I have realised that they are so heavy that using them would mean that my PORTABLE WARGAME would not be at all portable!
Ah well … win some, lose some.
All the best,
Bob
96 and still living on his own (with help). Good on him! Good on you!
ReplyDeleteHaving the reading the next post already, perhaps it could become the Transportable Wargame?
I've had to make some hard choices to reduce overcrowding in my games room (house in general really), and I fear there are more to come.
Ross Mac,
ReplyDeleteTrying to deal with a deaf and difficult 96 year-old is not the easiest job in the world ... and far more difficult that dealing with children!
I suppose that I could use the boards for a TRANSPORTABLE WARGAME ... but it rather defeats the purpose if I want to take it with me when I visit other wargamers. Nevertheless, the boards are too nice to throw away ... as my next blog entry will hopefully make clear.
All the best,
Bob