Ebay purchases

Recently I have bid for and won a number of lots for my Ottoman project, some for figures and one for two model houses.

The houses were described as Arab, Afghan or Indian and cost less then £20 (GB Pounds) for both. Here is the bigger of the two

I like the build of the house and the basing is excellent but the pinkish colour and the green roof are not to my taste. Here is the smaller house after I repainted it.

As I said, the model and its basing are excellent. I looked at photographs of old houses in the Middle East and some 19th century paintings of the area, plus my own travel in the area, I feel very happy with this colour scheme.

This is the best figure purchase, 33 artillery figures and a wheelbarrow for 22 pounds. The top row are Old Glory. Row two shows six Hinchliffe and four Essex Miniatures. Rows three and four are unknown to me but were in a bag with a "Bearsden Miniatures OT9" sticker. I have searched for more details of or a catalogue of Bearsden but unable to trace one.

I also won a bag of Minifigs Ottoman Azabs for 14 pounds. The first four are not Ottoman but figures from their Sword & Sorcery range, so I sold these on Ebay for a pound each.

Then I won a bag of The Assault Group (TAG) Ottoman artillerymen. These are lovely figures, I will get these onto the painting table very quickly.

"Can You Ever Forgive Me?"

Sunday morning - I went to Vapnartak at York Racecourse, a separate entry is to follow, B went to the stables, then we met for lunch at Carluccio's, then Cityscreen cinema to see this film, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?"

I had seen two film reviews and both had high praise for the film. We agree with these reviews completely, this is a very good film, a good drama.

Melissa McCarthy gives an outstanding performance

as does Richard E Grant in the supporting role.

I have not seen Melissa McCarthy in a serious drama role before, she was wonderful.

I know not everyone likes dramas, but if you do, definitely see this film.