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Sunday 23 April 2017

SALUTE2017: First reactions

I sat down this morning to write a detailed blog entry about my first visit to SALUTE in five years ... but when I realised that I had over one hundred photographs to add to it I decided to take my time and to write a short 'first reactions' blog entry first.

My overall impression was good. It has improved considerably since the last time I went, both in terms of organisation and content. I still had to queue to get in ... but this took place in an area right next to the hall and was properly marshalled. Once inside I was struck by the sheer number and variety of games that were being staged and the fact that there were far more participation games available.

The trade stands seemed to be doing good business, and there was lots of room to walk around between the stands and the games. I particularly wanted to visit the Perry brothers stand to look at their new TRAVEL BATTLE game and the Continental Wars Society stand to chat to Ian Dury and company. I managed both ... and walked away with a review copy of the game and a box full of plastic and diecast military vehicle.

I will be writing a review of the TRAVEL BATTLE game as soon as I can. It seems to have had a mixed reception, with some wargamers being very enthusiastic about it whilst others have expressed views that it is too expensive and rather limited. I am going to reserve my judgement until I have properly reviewed the game.

I managed to meet quite a few people whilst I was at SALUTE, including several other bloggers (Legatus Hedlius, Alastair, TamsinP, Ray Rousell, Postie et al), a few old friends, and some of my regular blog readers. This social side to the hobby is one aspect of wargaming that is often overlooked, but informal meetings at shows like SALUTE really do cement the online friendships that have developed over the past few years.

Will I go to SALUTE2018? Well based on yesterday's show, the answer is a resounding 'YES' ... assuming, of course, that I am in the UK at the time!

12 comments:

  1. Bob, I'm delighted you too enjoyed "Salute" yesterday. I've been going for many years and thought it was the best one I can recall. I'm rather gutted though that I missed the opportunity to meet with you and personally tell you how very much I enjoy your blog. Unfortunately I understand from Tamsin that you arrived at the Blogger's Meet just after the photo, by which time I had moved on to spend more money. Maybe next year :-)

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    1. Blaxkleric,

      Sorry to have missed you, but I managed to go to the wrong place for the blogger get-together ... mainly because I was rushing there from lunch!

      I really enjoyed the show, and stayed longer than I expected ... which is sign of how good it was. Hopefully I will be at next year's show, and with luck we will be able to meet then.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  2. Pity I missed you at the show yesterday but it was incredibly busy (more than the last few years certainly).

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    1. Lee Hadley,

      I looked out for you, but managed to miss you!

      I thought that it was a much better show than it has been for some time, and was pleased to see so many 'normal' participant wargames available.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  3. Looking forward to the photo review. The show looked so massive I hope you were able to use CinemaScope.

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    1. William Stewart,

      There are so many photographs that it is taking me hours to sort them out before I can add them to my blog. The fact that the published guide does not quite tie up with the order I took my photos in is not helping; neither does the absence of signage on a lot of tables.

      Hopefully I will be able to finish writing my blog entry by tomorrow evening, and once I have, it will be published.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  4. Nice to finally meet you at the Bloggers gathering yesterday Bob (beardy Scottish bloke with Legatus, Tamsin etc).

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    1. Alastair,

      Sorry to have missed you off the list by mistake (I wrote this blog entry on my iPhone whilst waiting for my wife to finish doing dome shopping, and was relying on my somewhat imperfect memory!) ... but you are there now!

      It was great to meet up and put faces to names ... and hopefully we will be able to do it again next year.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. Glad you enjoyed the experience. A pleasure to actually meet you. I look forward to reading your further views on the show and your photos.

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    1. David Bradley,

      It was great to meet you as well. It is always nice to put a face to a name, and SALUTE2017 gave me lots of opportunity to do just that.

      My full photo report is taking me longer to put together than expected as there were so many games on that I took photos of. Hopefully I should be able to finish it today.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  6. Very much looking forward to your insight on Travel Battle.

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    1. Joe McLaren,

      I have spent time today unpacking and examining the game in some detail, and hope to write a review tomorrow.

      All the best,

      Bob

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