Well, it wasn't 'that' time of year again as Salute had been put off a number of times due to the little known pandemic... I say little known as so many people weren't bothering to wear masks. Could be worse I suppose... a friend is currently on a ventilator having decided against being vaccinated. Nuff said.
I'd had my original hotel booking cancelled (hotel closed due to the pandemic) a few weeks ago so booked the Marriott Moxy close to Excel... very nice it was although I didn't eat or drink there... there was meant to be a complimentary cocktail but when I went down to the bar area there was no-one about... the Fox@Excel called!
The obligatory pic of me over the road from the Tower of London... less hair but at least the chin is hidden...
The hotel... neat and tidy and all you could need although the view from the window wasn't up to much...
The usual pre Salute drinks started at The Fox... bear in mind if you're meeting people at the Fox that there are two... one at the either end of Excel.
I have no idea where we ended up eating, only that they didn't have an alcohol licence so I had to pop out for wine...
The day itself... I walked over and got there for 09.30 or so... a few people already queuing and the South London Warlord people out in force. To enter Excel itself you had to show proof of double vaccination or a negative test. I got a wristband last night but they change the colour daily. Lots of sanitiser about as well.
Joining the queue... not as long as previous years although it did pick up a little...
The freebie mini sculpted by Paul Hicks, a lovely piece.
A tote bag to hold everything in...
Those wonderful pieces of our history... the Hurricane and the Spitfire...
First pics were of the Frothers Unite game, 'Project Fear', all based around the joys of Brexit...
Trumpageddon... Miko had scratchbuilt a Trump blimp... good lad.
My cultists on the left...
Well done lads for picking up (yet another) award!
Cosplay was minimal this year but very good...
Popped over for a chat with David Holland at Northumbrian Tin Soldier... their ranges go from strength to strength. Those below are the upcoming tributes to the old Citadel FA, fantasy adventurer range.
Wonderful (and licensed) Time Bandits minis!
Various games on throughout the day... top effort from so many people. One year I will join in a game!
Cerberus Studios had some very nice pieces...
Superb large scale Alien game...
Black Scorpion were there... so good.
Some nice Red Dwarf minis, not sure if they were licensed or not... does anyone know?
Studio Miniatures display cases are wonderful to behold!
A much needed pint for lunch... ended up giving out biscuits to sustain us...
There was a Star Trek convention on as well so loads of great looking Trekkies around...
New to me, Pandyman Entertainment, thoroughly pleasant peeps.
Wojcek, sculptor for Warlord Games was masked and chatty as always. Top bloke.
Duncan Rhodes (of Games Workshop fame) has just launched a paint range via Kickstarter...
Wargames Foundry... always a pleasure to visit... Diane had me handing out flyers for a Warhammer artwork event coming in December too. Looks rather interesting!
Harry doing his bit...
Me to show the size of their display...
And another for Warmonger!
The wonderful Twilight scenery...
The obligatory floor shot...
Nice chat to Nicolas Evans about his Planet 28 rules... inspired by Laserburn... very few pages making it my sort of skirmish game! The minis on show were nice as well (courtesy of https://mammoth-miniatures.onlineweb.shop/). They were released via Kickstarter earlier this year;
Some nice card standees...
Towards the end of the day I needed to pop to the loo and the nearest was upstairs... never seen the show from above before.
Perry Miniatures' painted 3-ups.
On the way to the pub later I walked passed the Trekkie show... would have loved to pop in but buying a ticket for a quick look wasn't affordable.
After the pub I was left to fend for myself... Chinese restaurant down the road called as it does most years. You're not alone with a Salute programme and a bottle of red wine of course.
If there are duplicate pics forgive me as a gremlin jumped in... all in another great Salute... April 9th 2022 is the next one!
As always, enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk
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