Une beer garson silver plait!
Sorry what did you ask, how did I get here? Well it's a bit of a story.
Despite having no money of my own, and no job, my ungratefull parents kicked me out of our London home on my 30th birthday!
Not long after, I was chatting with a nice recruiting sergeant I met at the pub and he mentioned oversees postings. As luck would have it, earlier that day I'd made some poor choices in the fifth at Ascot. Given that some of the larger associates of my bookie might soon be looking for me, I thought enlisting in the British armed forces might not be a bad idea.
Little did I realise oversees didn't just mean Ireland. Instead I got sent to the opposite side of the world, without appeal, as part of the garrison for some colony in some place called New South Wales, just like one of the damn convicts I had to guard.
That said, when I got there, and despite the hardships, I fell in love with it. In fact I feel like it's more home to me than anywhere else.
Bad luck came my way again when I was flogged for supposed insubordination to some pimply faced son of a peer who couldn't lead water downhill. I swear I'm innocent, even if he did deserve it.
Not long after, I was drinking with some sailors from a French ship passing by on its way home to Europe, and was captivated by their talk of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Well that, and their descriptions of the mademoiselles, something that's in fairly short supply in this new colony.
So I stowed away, sailed to France, and offered my military services to the National Assembly. I don't know if my English was poorly interpreted, or perhaps I overstated my abilities and experience somewhat, but I now find myself as a recently commissioned officer and ordered to some french village called Varmy, or Vemy, or Valmy or something.
I was told this tavern is where all the officers meet, so I just popped in for a quick pint or three, and to introduce myself around before heading off to do battle against someone or other. Don't know his name yet.
Une other beer garson.
Cheers
Hello to you all. I'm genuinely excited to be here.
Ok the real story, I am Australian, and been playing wargames since a cousin introduced me to them as a kid in the mid 1970's. I cut my teeth on Wargames Research Group Napoleonic miniature rules.
I come form a regional city where opponents were limited. We did have a wargames club in town through the mid 80's, and played miniatures and boardgames from most eras. Eventually, the club folded, and I've not played a live opponent since.
I regularly play a variety of computer games, grand strategy for preference, but always against the AI. I play several hours almost every day.
A couple weeks ago, something caught my eye on YouTube about face to face wargaming and resparked my interest in playing a decent Napoleonic battle again, though preferably not just another version of Austerlitz or Waterloo. A computer search took me to the JTS website.
Being familiar with most of the battles in the other titles, and previously wanting to know more about the revolutionary wars I thought I'd start with Republican Bayonets. Currently, I'm hoping to work my way through the JTS series chronologically, though not necessarily every battle in every title.
I'm really enjoying the game, but have quickly found I want more challenge than the AI can provide.
I'd seen the links to several online wargames clubs on the JTS website, thought it was time I finally bit the bullet and tried PBEM gaming, so here I am, reporting for duty.
