Forgive me readers it has been five days since my last post.
The little monsters enjoyed having me home and spending time with them relaxing before I had to return to work.
I always plan two or three days after going away to give mum a break, and time to recover. Who knew three little dogs could be so stressful and such hard work?
The later half of last week a cold kicked in. Making work a real struggle.
I think I have to accept that when my body is fighting any infection that it affects my legs. I’m putting it down to getting old.
Where did I get this cold?
The theory I have is it’s what is affectionately known as con crud. Yes I suspect I bought it home with me from the expo. One of those many bodies in the bustle of the expo that I came into contact with, invaded my personal space, very kindly over shared.
So while suffering from the cold I found every day life so tiring as my body waged its internal war.
Having spent a lot of my reserves each morning just getting through a shift at work. There was so little left for once I got home.
Coughing, sneezing was painful each time I did either thanks to whatever I did to my tongue at the start of my expo adventure.
Despite the above I did get some gaming in last week. Which included one or two of the new additions from the expo. But I’ll write a separate post about them.
So there you have it, another bland life update. Life in the fast lane baby!
“When two tribes go to war, A point is all that you can score…” Frankie Goes to Hollywood,Two Tribes
Yeah I know two very obvious, even lazy quotes about war.
At least they are on topic.
This post is going to be about some ideas for additional rules/variants for the game War by my friend Byron.
I’m not claiming any of these ideas are any good or fun. Heck I’ve not even tried them! But I think they will work and add a bit of variety.
Variant 1
This a simple one back from when I first played the game some (I want to say) two years ago.
When a unit is destroyed it is put to one side instead of going back into the bag.
Variant 1a!
Same as variant 1 except the removed units are placed face down with neither player able to examine them.
Variant 2
This one is inspired by the setup phase of the Battletech Alpha Strike rules.
First remove all the mountain tiles from the bag. Then starting with the first player, take turns placing the mountains on the play area following the usual placement rules for the tile.
Variant 3
This one builds on top of the variant 1 rule.
Each player keeps the unit they destroyed, face down in front of them. The player can look at the tiles they have in front of them. But they are hidden information. The other player can see how many tiles you have but not their value.
Each destroyed unit is worth points. The value dependent on the health value of the unit. Ie a GUN is worth 1 point, a CPL 2 points, and so on.
As well as winning the game by hitting the opponents base, victory can also be achieved by one player reaching an agreed points total, such as 15 points.
When a player reaches the agreed points total they reveal all the tiles they scored as a check.
There that’s my suggestions for stuff to try with War to mix it up a little. Or more ideas I’ve been thinking of for the game. I’m still mulling over multiplayer.
The initial plan was to write a daily post during the expo. But I’m old and get tired easily. Plus as you will see I had great company in the evenings.
So this post has been written a day or two after getting back from the expo.
Be warned it is a long post. So if you don’t have the time to read it, here is the to;dr – I had a good time, met friends, bought some games.
Thursday – Day 0
Thursday was as usual my travel day to the expo.
For one person my car was pretty loaded up. Mind you this wasn’t a backpacking trip across Scotland or the Lakes. This was car camping after all, and I’d paid for a pitch with an electricity hookup.
I had booked a pitch with an electrical hookup at the Mousley House Farm Campsite. Which according to Apple Maps was about 25 minutes away from the NEC.
After doing my final chores at home, such as walking Dolly, and getting mum some meals, I set off around midday.
Two and a half hours I was checking in at the camp site.
The pitch I had been given was ideal. Close to the facilities, water tap, and no cars going past me.
After setting up camp I thought I’d make a coffee. Out came the brand new unused Jetboil Genesis Basecamp.
All setup I switched on the gas. Nothing. I reattached the fuel regulator. Still nothing. Pushed the fuel line in and gas flowed. The fuel regulator wasn’t being held tight enough to allow gas to flow without extra pressure.
I tried using plaster tape to hold the fuel regulator in. But that didn’t work.
It was basically unusable. I couldn’t cook and constantly hold in the fuel regulator.
I was kicking myself for taking the Kelly Kettle out of the boot that morning whilst packing. I did have a BCB Firedragon folding cooker with a couple of fuel blocks. Just about enough to boil a kettle of water. Not enough to get me through the long weekend.
Still I boiled the kettle and had a brew.
I tried calling Jetboil customer support but they had gone home for the day.
Unable to cook my planned meal, I was lucky I had some Greek yoghurt I could have for tea.
Alpkit Tarpstar 1The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp Thursday – Day 0
I was emotionally drained, embarrassed, seething, going through a whole range of emotions.
This Jetboil wasn’t cheap (none of their stoves are) and here it was no better than a very expensive paper weight.
I would need to find an outdoor shop the next day and buy another stove to get me through the weekend.
After watching a little bit of YouTube to try and calm down I had an early night.
Friday – Day 1
I woke bloody early. Still fuming I wasn’t going to start the day as planned.
I’d also hurt the back of my tongue somehow during the night. Which made swallowing a little painful. But more importantly I would find out later talking harder. Something that would inflict me for the whole of the expo. Basically I’d sound like I had a lisp, or just plain incoherent. I’d have to slow down and concentrate on what I was saying. It was very frustrating at times trying to make myself be understood. Some words were definitely a struggle to say.
After having a shower in facilities that put to shame the “hotel” I stayed in at the start of May.
I left the camp site a tad after six, trying not to wake the rest of the campsite. Which was harder to do than you would think when you have to drive over gravel for half of the campsite site.
Using Apple Maps I found a Tesco Express ten minutes drive away that also had a cash machine.
Sadly the express didn’t open until seven. But I still got the cash I needed for later.
I then headed towards the NEC and the expo.
By the time I had parked in the east car park and taken my traditional stroll in the expo halls I had arrived exactly at the right time to be Starbucks first customer as they finished opening up.
After having an over priced coffee, muffin, and cheese and ham toastie it was time to join the queue to collect tickets.
Yes even at 7:15am I was not the first in the queue! But I was pretty close to being so.
While waiting in the queue I spotted a fellow union rep I knew walk pass and head towards the halls. Were they helping on a stand? I thought they never mentioned they were into board games in Blackpool. Then I thought wait I could have been playing board games in the evening at the ADM.
My objectives for the day were to do the trade for Root, pick up The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship, and meet up with Ben, and spot my friend.
The first two on my list were done within minutes of the doors opening to the exhibit halls and me getting a shop and drop box.
The Catan sheepI have my weekend passGiant sized Battle of HothObligatory show selfieFriday – Day 1
I met up with Ben and his sons. We then spent the rest of the day systematically walking up and down the aisles going from one hall to the other. Despite doing that I still missed my union friend. But I did bump into Diego and his daughter Lizzy.
After mid day I had to find the Trespass at the Resort World complex next to the expo halls. I needed a stove to cook with. Ben and sons joined me so we could also look for food afterwards.
I found the Trespass, and they had a cheap Coleman stove. But no butane fuel for it!
After that disappointing experience we had lunch at Five Guys burger chain. My first time ever with them. Whilst the others went the burger and fries route, I went hot dog and fries. I liked how you can personalise your burger/dog with toppings. The fries were good and a decent portion size. Plus the soda drinks were unlimited refills. I thought it was still expensive for what it was. But thinking about it was on par with Burger King, and better value. I should say thank you once again to Ben for generously treating me to lunch.
Once fed and watered Ben and his boys headed off to the bring and buy stand while I said my good byes to head off and find a Go Outdoors.
There was indeed a Go Outdoors about 18 minutes away from the expo. It was near to the Fort Dunlop Travelodge where I’d stayed previously.
I bought an OEX Savo stove. The reason I went for this stove was because I hadn’t got a stove like it. I find it hard to believe that I never had a stove of this style in the fifty odd that I own. But I didn’t, and now I do.
When I got back to the camp site Diego was set up in the pitch next to mine.
Finally I was able to cook my food, I had the ribeye steak I had bought with me. I think ribeye is my favourite steak. I don’t do anything special. I season it with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. That’s it.
After tea, the three of us played some of the board games Lizzy bought at the expo or had with her. I enjoyed this gaming session. Although I didn’t record any of the games.
Then it was time to sleep.
Saturday – Day 2
Saturday morning got off to a much better start. It was much more relaxed.
There was no pressure to get to the show early. I could have breakfast, coffee, and chill. I even made Diego a morning coffee after he discovered he had left his mocha pot at home.
The OEX Savo stove and Firemaple kettle with its heat exchanger worked really well. It boiled water so fast. Rivalling a Jetboil for boil times easily.
I was still finding making myself understood frustrating.
My agenda for the day was pick up a game for Marcin, meet up with Byron, and find my friend.
Early on I met up with Byron who gave me a copy of his kickstarter game that I backed called War. He then went off to look for a couple of games.
A little later we met up in the open gaming area to play a game of War.
The first game was real quick with Byron taking the honours. Game two was more tactical and psychological. My plan nearly worked while Byron was distracted by my forces on the right, my artillery slowly got closer and closer to targeting his base. But he eventually cottoned on, burst through my distraction to grab the win. Our third and final game saw me drawing tank after tank. So they just advanced rolling over all before them and getting me a win.
I may have lost 2-1 on the day. But I’m 4-2 up if we include our earlier games from a couple years back.
Earlier in the day I bumped into Charlene and family buying games. I think Charlene and Ben must easily have larger collections than mine.
Tank blitz! Loved psychological bit I did in this gamePigeons nesting hereOEX Savo stove & Firemaple kettle Saturday – Day 2
While wandering the halls I looking for my union friend I did bump into my friend Dean from Chatteris. It was good to see him. However I still didn’t see my union friend.
While waiting to meet up and collect Marcin’s game I was messaged by him asking if I could collect another two games for him. Which I gladly did.
After a bit of hide and seek I did also manage to pick up a free copy of a roll and write game called Grave Keeper that the game designer was handing out.
About 2pm time I was done with the show for the day so I headed back to camp to chill.
I have to say it was nice being able to just sit and relax outside my tent. If I’d gone back to a hotel room and stayed in the room I don’t think it would have been nearly as relaxing.
Diego and Lizzy arrived a little before our planned tea time. Yes it had been planned. The previous day Diego had booked pizza from the camp sites little bar/pizza bar for the three of us.
The pizza was pretty nice actually. Just the right size for one. And went down well with the pint of cider I had.
After chilling for a little while outside our tents it was time to hit the sack again.
Sunday – Day 3
The last day of the show.
After packing up camp and using the morning sun and breeze to dry out the ground sheet and tent outer. It was time to say goodbye to Diego and Lizzy, wish them a safe journey home, and head off for the final day of the expo.
I usually head off home around lunchtime so I arrive home mid afternoon. It gives me a chance to unpack, get any chores that cropped up while away done, and cook tea.
With that in mind my aims for the morning were to give Marcin his games, get the Star Wars Unlimited promo. Later I’d add to that short list after seeing an Osprey post on Bluesky that my friend Duncan shared.
So I headed over to the FFG Star Wars Unlimited stand to “try” the game and get this years promo card.
For the expo they were using the Han and Boba starter decks. Sadly not the new ones coming out next month.
I got to play against a visiting American to the expo who had never played the game before.
Even with the demo person helping them it wasn’t a fair matchup. They had the Boba deck while I had the Han deck.
For the demo purposes we both started with 15 points of damage.
The traditional “club” photo at the showMarcin losing his first game of WarOver priced but tasty expo lunchSunday – Day 3
My opening hand had two chewbacca’s. So I took my mulligan drawing into a couple of 1 cost units and the Falcon.
After playing the Falcon the fourth turn saw a pilot added to it, plus a +2/+2 buff on top, allowing it to swing in for 8 points of damage. It was game over really.
After getting the promo card I went browsing the retail stalls. Whilst browsing one a friend was helping out the retailer. So we had a brief catch up.
I then found a spot in the open gaming area to rest my wary feet and wait for Marcin to arrive.
Eventually I thought while waiting I’ll treat myself to an overpriced lunch. So I headed to a burger stand, bought their Diablo burger (meant to be a spicy hot chili burger) and a side of fries with nacho cheese and jalapeños. It was pretty tasty.
I’d not long finished when Marcin finally arrived.
After handing over his games I quickly taught War to Marcin. If Byron had still been at the show he could easily have sold a copy to Marcin.
While chatting it was revealed Jonathan had also made it to the show and the traditional show photo was taking place at 1pm.
While waiting for the photo time I headed off to the Osprey stand looking for a copy of Hairfoot Jousting. Sadly they had sold out. But the stand staff took pity on me and sold me the display copy. I then went to another stand that they pointed me to buy minis for the game. The minis were not bad price wise. The box was enough for two players to play a game with.
After catching up with Jonathan and the group photo being taken I headed back to the car and home.
The Haul
I don’t like putting photos of the games I bought at the expo on social media. It’s all to do with not wanting those in a worse place than myself feeling bad about themselves and the situation they are in.
I even have second thoughts about putting up the list of what I got on here.
None of these are big expensive games. The majority are £20 or less. Oh and Vegetable Stock although technically not bought at the expo was ordered Saturday morning over breakfast at the camp site because I couldn’t find a copy at the expo. So I’m calling it a show purchase.
Final thoughts
The expo was definitely bigger. Thanks to a “last minute” thing the organisers also got hall 1 that was used for ticket collection/purchase and the bring and buy. Which meant the aisles were wider allowing better movement on the busier days.
I’d hate to see how they would have squeezed the hall 1 stuff in if they didn’t have it. More cramped for starters I think.
For me I think the highlight of the expo as always was meeting my friends. Sadly I somehow missed my union friend. Which is the only regret on that side.
I really enjoyed the campsite and my time with Diego and Lizzy. It was amazing we were able to have pitches next to each other.
Camping I found was definitely more relaxing than staying in a hotel. A lot more chill.
The campsite itself was perfect for me. Having the on site bar and pizza was a nice bonus. The camp site shop was basic but you could get breakfast stuff plus ice cream.
After a morning of chores Dolly and I headed out later than planned towards Shouldham Warren.
I’ve never been to Shouldham Warren before.
I’d discovered Shouldham Woods a couple of weeks earlier when driving from work to Thetford for a meeting.
As I was driving along the A road I thought “oh this looks like a nice woods” and then noticed a forestry commission sign with the name of the woods. I mentally made a note to look it up later once home.
A week later I was talking with a friend/colleague about where Dolly and I were planning to walk next. Strangely for me I remembered the name of the wood. The friend said it was a nice woods. They had often gone there with the kids.
Apple Maps took us across country as the fastest route. One or two of the roads travelled were the typical fenland back road, single lane and bumpy.
I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived. Not a main road in sight or ear shot. A fairly spacious car park.
With the light rain I decided we would not stop for a brew. We would just use the walk as a reconnaissance walk. I’d only take the Pathfinder canteen and Dolly’s collapsible water bowl.
Once ready we headed to the trail head.
We were given a choice of two signed routes round Shouldham Warren. The Range Walk was a mile, and the Warren Walk was two miles.
An executive decision was made. We were going to follow the Warren Walk.
More eco vandalism going onFlippin litter bugsWearing my tarphat and Jack Stillman Drifter ponchoDolly investigating what made this way down to the stream
As the photos show the woods themself are diverse in the trees growing there. A sign at the car park listed nine species planted as part a restock program. Plus I recognised oak, beech, rhododendron.
It’s strange what two or three weeks make. Our last walk at Whitehills Wood the rhododendron were not flowering. But now here at Shouldham Warren they were. I really do love the rhododendron flower.
As we followed the yellow disks marking the route there were paths going off to the sides. I had to resist going off to explore. That would be for another day.
We saw only the odd person in the distance following other paths. The rain obviously discouraging people from going out. No car sounds or talking, just bird song, the odd cuckoo. It was peaceful.
The Warren Walk does take you to the edge of the woods and a lovely man made stream. I say man made because it’s too straight and long to be natural. Sadly the banks of the stream are too steep to get down and paddle for Dolly.
However odd spots looked like wildlife had dug routes (still steep) to the water. In some mud I thought I saw what was a badger paw print. Had it been the one making the route down?
The only drawback on this walk were the two blankets/rugs left discarded by the side of the path in a couple of spots.
There were obvious signs that some of the route was a bridle path. And I’m not talking just hoof prints.
At the return to the car park I examined one or two of the signs there. The woods themself are part of the Nar Valley Way, a 34 mile route between Kings Lynn and Gressenhall.
There was also a sign post pointing towards Pentney Abbey, apparently two miles away. Plus a sign for a ten mile circular walk that had no disk. So I’m not sure if the route has any sign posts now to follow.
Once home I did a bit of google research and found an official council pdf with os maps for the circular walk (which I printed out).
It would also appear from my googling that Shouldham Warren was the site of a Second World War rifle range. Something for me and Dolly to look for traces of next time we visit.
I can see Dolly and me returning here a lot. Not to just explore the side paths. It really is a beautiful woods. Plus it’s about the same travel time as going to Roydon Common or Whitehills Wood.
It’s less than a week now until the expo. In fact this time next week I’ll be on the floor of one of the exhibition halls, navigating through the crowds to get to a stand or two.
In the meantime I’ve ordered some black pudding from Charles Macleod of Stornoway. In my opinion this is the best black pudding I’ve ever had and worth the extra expense to get shipped down.
This along with some pork patties, processed cheese slices, english muffins, and eggs will be my breakfast while there.
Mid last week I got an email from the retailer I had preordered The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship saying that the retail release has been delayed by one or two months due to the boat it was on being a really slow boat from China.
But there was some good news at the same time. The publisher was shipping over by air some stock for the retailer to sell at the expo. After all the expo was meant to be the launch/early access for the game.
So the retailer gave me (and others that got the email) the option of picking up their preorder early at the expo.
They had me at early. I replied instantly that I would like to do that.
So basically I will be getting at least one game at the expo and looking forward to getting it to the table earlier than I thought I’d be.
I have no idea what else I’ll buy there. There is nothing specific I’m after. It will be all down to serendipity.
As promised in my still alive post here is a post looking at some recent games I’ve played.
Since the start of April I’ve played eight new to me games.
So I better share my initial thoughts on these games.
We all know how I feel about trick taking games. So when they combined a mechanic I love with a theme/franchise I love then the purchase was a no brainer.
The game does not disappoint. Dave and I played a two player game one Tuesday evening when Marcin couldn’t make it. We played twelve games that got us through about seven chapters. This game is not only a trick taking game. It’s a campaign game telling the story of the first book in eighteen chapters. With a nineteenth if you got the promo Gifts of Galadriel pack (and yes it’s possible to buy on eBay at unreasonable prices).
For two players you play a third player as a dummy hand. Which in itself is interesting. The dummy hand is dealt out as a pyramid layout with some cards face down and some face up, with the ring bearer taking control of the hand.
Each character has a unique condition that needs to met for players to win the chapter and to move on. An example condition might be to win exactly two tricks, or get all five of the ring cards.
Chapters will introduce new characters, not use others, even new mechanics and cards. So how to win each chapter changes with the characters available and which is selected. They can be quite challenging.
A great, fun, challenging game.
YRO is a recent purchase after listening to the most recent (at time of writing) Secret Cabal podcast where they discussed this game.
We played this last Tuesday at four and three player.
This a quick, fun game. We played three games in around one and a half hours.
A game ends when someone reaches forty points or plays their ninth character in their three by three grid.
I won one game after playing five cards. Three of which were expensive dragon cards.
You are trying to get combos, build an engine. It also in the card placement give vibes of Castle Combo.
Cards that generate points each round are really powerful.
Great quick fun.
Diego introduced me to this fantasy themed drafting game.
How much did I like the game? I ordered an English language copy of the game from Germany because it was out of stock in the uk.
I do enjoy drafting games. It’s why I have three copies of Sushi Go for starters! It’s also a mechanic I like when used with other games such as MtG.
I like that each player has their own unique objectives that when completed give some sort of bonus during the game.
Also having monster cards that you can beat if you have enough attack to get an instant bonus of some kind is pretty neat, and gives an alternative tactic to follow.
It also like Sushi Go plays fairly quickly.
This was a fun game collecting resources, conquering territories, attacking your neighbours.
It does mechanically have a Catan vibe. The resources you get each turn determined by a roll of the dice, and if you control territory of that type.
It also has trading between players. You can do trades with other players anytime except when you are the active player when you are restricted to trade only with the bank.
There is player elimination in the game. And we did eliminate Marcin from his very own game moments before Dave grabbed victory.
A fun, “aggressive” alternative to Catan.
I’m very late to the party on this one. It was only at a recent gaming afternoon at Diego’s did I get to play it for the first time.
Sadly without the table attention grabbing cardboard tree.
Having now played this worker placement, tableau/engine building game I can see where all the fuss comes from. I don’t quite get the Wingspan comparison unless it is that later bit. To me they don’t really compare or compete.
I enjoyed the game a lot. Most definitely will play it again.
The game I went all Chihuahua over to deny Marcin!
This is actually a very clever game.
Although there is not a lot of player interaction. There is chances to screw over your fellow players. Especially when you are first player.
I like the hand management. It causes some hard decisions. You may really want your die that turn to be a three to get much needed resources, but you also really want its ability when you become first player. Having to decide which is more important can be a tough decision.
The current first player deciding player turn order is also nice. Make the right choice here and it’s possible to steal buildings from other players.
I’m glad I got this game.
Another great trick taking game.
This has some nice additions to the genre where if you don’t win any tricks your personal deck gets stronger. Plus your deck is made up of the tricks you win! Which means your deck gets watered down potentially with low cards. But then you get that boost of powerful cards.
It’s a solid fun trick tracking game.
A fun area control game with multiple avenues to victory.
Do you concentrate on getting the longest route or groups, most territory, or control of neighbouring towers, or a combo of the previous options?
Definitely one to play again.
That’s it I kinda run out of steam there at the end. Put still I think you get the gist. I enjoyed all of these games and definitely would play again.
I decided to return to Roydon Common and the upper field.
I wanted something easy on my legs (I’m still trying to rest them as much as possible) whilst giving Dolly a bit longer walk wise.
I thought also the benefit of doing this route was the horse trough on the planned route as a water stop for Dolly.
However when we reached the water stop spot the horse trough was gone! All that remained was the outline in the grass of where it once was.
We walked on to find a suitable spot to chill and have lunch.
BRS 3000T, Fire-Maple Gas Canister Stand, BRS-3000T Special Stainless Steel Windproof Ring, Pathfinder Stainless Steel Nesting Cup.MERMOO YILAN Collapsible Pour Over Coffee DripperMandatory selfiePad Thai adjacent
My brew kit for today was the ultra light hikers favourite BRS 3000T, which I used with a BRS-3000T Special Stainless Steel Windproof Ring (from AlieExpress), a Fire-Maple Gas Canister Stand, plus the Pathfinder Stainless Steel Nesting Cup that goes with my Pathfinder canteen.
I also used my brew kit staples of a UCO Collapsible Cup, MERMOO YILAN Collapsible Pour Over Coffee Dripper, and Fire-Maple Dandelion Buddy Camping Table.
Before making lunch I made a brew, and gave Dolly much needed water.
My lunch was inspired by Chef Corso and his “pad thai” recipe (YouTube video here). But I’d forgotten a couple of ingredients (the powdered coconut milk, garlic and ginger powder). Instead my flavouring were packets of soy sauce, English mustard, sweet chilli sauce, plus two packets of peanut butter. I call this pad thai adjacent! Plus some sliced up cured meat (forget what it was specifically) thrown in. It was pretty tasty but left a messy pot.
So yes I did wash up before packing away.
The BRS and windshield did ok in the gentle breeze. It wouldn’t hold up in a stronger breeze or wind. But with the SOTO 750ml Thermolite pot, everything (stove, 100g gas canister, pot grabber, windshield) but the canister stand fits nicely inside the pot, and the canister stand tucks on top in the included bag. It’s a nice light weight cook system.
While we were chilling the day was starting to warm up.
Once packed up (leaving no trace we had been there) we did the final bit of our walk back to the car.
Dolly is really good off the lead. Stays very close, doesn’t go off chasing wild life. And is the same when we stop for a brew. She is very much like the wolf pack were when we were out and about and stopped for a brew.
Since the last post that seems so much longer than six days ago I’ve been increasingly more tired.
So tired I’ve found myself “snoozing” in the afternoons once I get home from work.
But more worrying is yesterday my legs started to feel like they did a few weeks ago when I had the chest infection when they decided they were not going to work properly.
Luckily I managed to manage my legs at work so although they felt weak and not able to rush around, they didn’t decline any more.
It got me thinking what is my body reacting to again that it’s hitting my legs once more?
Is my tiredness linked to this struggle going on in my body?
I think if there is no improvement in a day or two a trip to the doc might be in order.
That will be a second visit in the space of a month. Unheard of! Before the last visit they hadn’t seen me for years.
The little monsters have had the odd flea. So it was off to the vet to get the good stuff to remove them. The vet weighed them. Dolly was 10 kilos! How is she as heavy as my base weight for doing the TGOC? I agreed with the vet she needs a diet. I’m not over feeding her. But mum needs to cut down on treats. In our defence Dolly hasn’t grown in size since having her. Her future is less food, longer walks (legs permitting).
I have been gaming. Played one or two new games. But that will be the subject of another post.
The country is getting its Summer early this year.
Which means only one thing.
By the time the expo arrives we will be in the midst of a rainy spell.
Which will be about right for my first camping experience at the expo.
I have to admit I’m getting pretty excited about going to the expo this year. In recent years I’ve not really felt that excited about going. Don’t get me wrong I’ve enjoyed myself whilst there. But I’ve not felt excited in the run up. No anticipation.
I think this newly found excitement is due to the fact I’m camping this year.
The final bits of gear have arrived. I have a solution for when I take Dolly camping (yet to order it).
So what bits of gear arrived?
The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp stove is finally officially available in the UK. Despite having the Naturehike folding twin burner stove I did purchase the Genesis Basecamp. Plus a Firemaple griddle.
Using a very generous Amazon gift voucher from my aunt for my birthday plus some of my own money I bought a 20 litre portable fridge/freezer for camping. Which is currently acting as an over flow freezer!
I also have an electric hook up cable. Which solves my charging issues for my phone etc.
The tarp pole from Alpkit has also just arrived. This is used with the Tarpstar 1 (or 2).
So apart from deciding what I’m going to eat. I think I’m ready.
