Captain Darling & the Incident at the Christmas Pudding Factory!

Christmas 1874 and Mankind continued their War with the Dastardly Martian host!

December 1874 and Her Majesty's S.O.E. (Stealthy Overseas Executive) continued to try and interpret the Evil Martian High Commands intent. Thanks to their top Agent, Edward Bigger they uncovered one of the the Martian Devils most heinous plans to date, it appeared they planned to interrupt the supply of Christmas Puddings to the good citizen of the Empire! The Heads of S.O.E. shook their heads and despaired on being informed of this, was no depths of depravity that these Demons incarnate would not go!

Perseverance by S.O.E.s Agents determined the target of the Martians latest plan was the Puddin' Lady's Christmas Pudding Manufacturing Co located in Little Tinkle on Clyde, they were the premier maker of the best and largest Christmas Puddings in the Empire!

Two Martian Tripod contraptions codenamed 'Red' and 'Blue' were shadowed by Agents while the Military took action! Captain Darling and a detachment of Guardsmen were dispatched forthwith to the Christmas Pudding Manufacturing Co. they were supplied with Armoured Steam Tractors and their associated Trailers to start convoying the output of the Factory safely to distribution Centres. Also the Top Brass was gave command of the newly raised 7th Steam Power Armoured Detachment to Colonel Sir Blythe-Hamilton-Pants. Blythe-Hamilton-Pants known affectionately by his ADCs as Ol' Brown Pants was a veteran of several encounters the the Martian Fighting Machines so an obvious choice and the men selected for his force were also experienced.

It was late December on uneven and marshy ground that Sir Blythe-Hamilton-Pants Troops faced off against the Nasty Martian Machines...

A picture of Captain Darling sporting a blue tunic conversing with an officer of the Guards whilst Christmas Puddings are prepared to be loaded for transport...

The game is set up for play in three days I will keep you up to date with the result!

Next time: as above 😉 the game AAR…

Captain Darling's 2023 Grand Tour is Announced!

Captain Darling's planned expedition of 2020 was forestalled due to a great blight that ravaged all corners of the Earth but showing his truly determined and rugged yet gentlemanly manner he has finally overcame this obstacle and is soon to set off on his aptly named 2023 Grand Tour!

Captain Darling has sourced the latest Cartographers Map for his Grand Tour of Europe...

Map from Pinterest!

The good Captain and his partner Mrs Darling (also known as She Who Must Be Obeyed) are soon to depart the Antipodes and journey north for several weeks! Travelling light on this occasion, yes not a single Porter or even his trusty Batman will be in attendance as he plans to follow the exceptionally hazardous route laid out below!

Captain Darling's 2023 Grand Tour!

Manchester Ol' Blighty is his first port of call and his arrival coincides with the Fourth Test Match of Ashes Series. Time has been allocated for him to engage in viewing the Cricket at Old Trafford and it is naturally assumed that he will take time swap stories of his cricket career with the current players if not roll his arm over and wield the willow if required. He and Mrs Darling will also take a day Safari to Liverpool to investigate the Beatles Plague they have been suffering from since the early 1960s!

Hiking south the plucky party of two will stop in Birmingham, there they plan to seek the source of all the Birmingham Hallmarked Silver they continually spy on the 'Bargain Hunt' Television Series. While visiting the environs of the City he may take time to hunt out some local big game otherwise known as 'George the Stourbridge Station Cat'.

Travelling quickly south on board a modern locomotive the Darlings will make an appearance in London for a time. There plans have been formulated for darling to attend more Cricket at the Fifth Ashes Test Match at the Oval, after which he hope to catch up with fellow explorers at the Reform Club before taking Mrs Darling out on the town to take in some shows!

The expedition then journeys to the Continent and after a trip on a newfangled 'fast train' called the Eurostar a more sedate rail journey will take the party to Bayeux. At Bayeux several days will be sent investigating Normandy's beaches, the eateries, drinking establishments and then mimicking a fellow explorer Indiana he will visit a the local Museum and announce "I am here to see the tapestry!".

Rail transport will then be employed as the small group delves eastward into Europe, the intrepid Captain and partner will take up residence in Amsterdam! Here there will be many sojourns discovering all manner of locales including everything from Windmills to Breweries! Also there are rumours of herbs that are very relaxing and exotic substances that broaden the mind which need to be explored!

Next stopover on the trek east is Munster Germany, no not the big one with Cathedrals and Centuries of coveted history bit the small one in Lower Saxony which is home to the German Tank Museum! Here the Captain will indulge while Mrs Darling will partake of shopping and imbibing, basically anything that distances herself from exploring a multitude of man made machinations that Darling will be immersing himself in!

Passage will then be sought to the distant east with a mind of visiting Warsaw. There the dynamic duo will bivouac and excursions will be made to this fabled city's precincts where time will be well spent exploring its treasures in depth.

From Warsaw our fearless band will transverses the wilds of the Polish countryside to a visit a Krakow home of famous King Solomon's Mine, ah hold on we have just been informed it is actually the home of the famous Salt Mines, Bugger!

The final destination of this endeavour will see the Darlings in the exotic City of Budapest, where they hope to be caught up in the magic of the history of the great twin Cities of Buda and Pest or at least have a look around and take a tour or two!

As can be seen Mrs Darling is travelling very light...

picture thanks to weburbanist.com

Returning to the Antipodes in late August 2023 Captain Darling will if the events in his busy life settle down attempt to bring his Blog up to date, thanks to all out there! You never know you may even cross paths with the Captain on his travels!

Next Time; Probably something to do with the Grand Tour!