Tuesday 13 May 2014

A Small Celebration: 500 Followers


You might have seen that the number of followers on this blog has slowly ticked around to 500. Sometimes a lot of people seem to sign up to follow in a short time. Sometimes, the number sticks at something like 386 forever. But over the years, people like you have continued to follow the blog, and I hope you've all enjoyed what's here.

500 followers sounds like it should be a milestone.  It almost feels like it should be part way to something bigger.  Well, possibly ... but not quite.  I thought I'd spend a moment about what blogging means to me.

This blog started as a way of giving back to the hobby that I have loved for decades now. It started with just a hope that I could share my experiences, mistakes, frustrations and confusion with making some trench terrain for a participation game at Salute in 2009. The blog then spread to after action reports, painting guides, book reviews and other things which I hope that someone, somewhere found at least slightly useful.   I've tried to concentrate on a few wargaming periods, with an emphasis on the visual aspects of wargaming.  But as you probably know, I've sometimes been diverted and distracted!

Over the years, my blog has drawn its inspiration from many, many people.   You probably recognise bits of ideas, terrain or painting from yourself, or from your friends, on here.  Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen - I'm guilty as charged!  I've shamelessly borrowed ideas and themes from giants in the hobby writing in magazines, from clubmates who were bemused about what on earth I'm doing, from friends who I’ve met across the table just a couple of times, from games I've seen at wargames shows ...  

 In so many way, this blog has been a sum of parts, the best of which came from all of you. 









  
And the blog's been inspired from other blogs and websites.  It's hard not to be inspired by such a creative and helpful community.  And, right back at the beginning, it was inspired by the words of one blog post from 2010 - "if you think you don't have anything to blog about, think again".  I haven't found a better inspiration to starting, and continuing, a blog than that. Thank you again, Mel !

I've really had no preconceived ideas about what to blog about, or how often to blog. Ideas and inspiration have come from time to time. Some seem to have worked, others …. perhaps less so.  

I hope you've really enjoyed the past four and a half years of the blog. With over 500 followers, and 370,000 page views, I feel a bit humbled and definitely unworthy. I don't think I'm anyone special in the hobby. I just love the hobby, and the people who share it with me, whoever and wherever you are. And to each of you, I'd like to say a huge thank you for reading, viewing, commenting and following. Without you, this blog would be nothing.

And so, to the future. Next up is our Verdun participation game at Partizan on 1st June 2014. Expect more posts on a Verdun theme over the three weeks as we lead up to the big day for Operation Gericht.

And to round off this post, here's some of my favourite memories of the past few years of blogging ...


















95 comments:

  1. Well said 'Old Boy'.................love the blog and will I'll keep reading for as long as you keep posting.
    Cheers.

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    1. Thank you very much, Gwidowg. I'm hoping I'll b blogging for a long while yet1

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  2. Congratulations Sir Roundwood!!

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  3. Congratulations at reaching 500.

    I am at one of those stuck phases on my blog now with ~200 members for the past few months.

    Look forwards to seeing yourselves and the Verdun game in the marquee at Salute.

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    1. Hi Paul. Thanks, I really appreciate it. It's been amazing games like your Keren spectacular, and your great blog that have helped to keep me going!

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  4. Thank you for your perseverance with the blog. Thoroughly enjoy reading it.

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  5. Congrats on this milestone! Thanks for all the inspiration you provide us with.

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  6. Congrats on hitting, errmm, reaching 500 followers. I'm sure that you'd never actually hit any of us :)

    Two pictures with me in? I do hope that doesn't cause any of your followers to desert in horror! ;)

    Lastly, thanks for keeping up with this wonderful and inspiring blog.

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    1. Thanks Tamsin! Much appreciated. Meeting bloggers like you has been one of the huge parts of my hobby in the last few years. Thanks so much for everything you do for the hobby as well!

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  7. Congrat's Sidney! A very inspiring blog, thanks.

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  8. The heartiest of congratulations Sidney. You have an inspirational blog which I enjoy immensely and it is of course an absolute thrill seeing your painting challenge entries on Curt's blog too.

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    1. Thanks Millsy! It's been projects like Curt's Challenge which have really encouraged me not only to keep blogging, but to branch out and try new things. Great to hear you enjoy what's here!

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  9. 500 followers THAT is a milestone

    Well done mate

    Ian

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    1. Awww....it is kind of a milestone, Ian.....but its really all about the people themselves! Great to have you following, mate!

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  10. Many congratulations, Sir Sidney! That's a whole lot of followers. :-) Simon

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    1. Simon....that's very kind! I am, as you well know, standing on the shoulders of giants like you I'm still revelling at the photos I took of C-Day at Salute!

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    2. Too too kind!

      ps I really love the broken bricks in your basing; a splendid contrast with the earth tones.

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  11. Bravo sir! Here's to the next 500!

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  12. Congratulation Sidney !!! Well worth a milestone!

    Thank you for all inspiration and lovely painted minis, terrain and other stuff you share with us all, very appreciated !

    best regards Michael

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  13. What a splendid post Sir! I wholeheartedly endorse your sentiments, but it comes of no surprise to me to hear of your success. One of the truly inspiration blogs that I follow and certainly one that I have every intention of continuing to read.

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    1. Michael, what can I say. I'm so pleased you have enjoyed what's here. Great to be able to welcome you here!

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  14. Congrats! From the smallest to the largest, we must all celebrate the fact that, as hobbyists, we're still here making terrain, painting miniatures, rolling dice, turning cards, and otherwise getting stuck in!

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  15. That's an impressive number of followers in only 41/2 years. Almost Biblical - stay away from the timber section at B&Q . . .

    It's not really surprising as it is a quality blog. Don't get too humble though as it's we who should be thanking you.

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    1. Gary, that's odd, becuase I spend a lot of time at my local B&Q!! Tinder hasn't yet caught fire, but I do end up buying industrial quantities of PVA glue! Thanks for everything!

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  16. Well done that man.

    I get a great deal of pleasure, and inspiration, from reading blogs such as this one. It's like having my own personalised online magazine with an almost endless supply of articles and features, plus it doesn't clutter up my bookcase or have to be hidden under the bed.

    Congrats on the well deserved number of 'followers' .

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    1. Thanks Matt! I am so chuffed you like to think of it as an online magazine. I love the printed wargaming magazines, and I do't think a blog can really better them in many ways. But I love striving to try and create that magazine feel here on the blog. Very glad indeed that you feel hat way about what's here. Thanks so much!

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  17. Congratulations! I'm a relatively new follower, but I've found a lot of interesting stuff to read and look at here. Thank you, and keep it up!

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    1. A relatively new follower, but as welcome as any Edwin!! Great to have you here and thank you in return!

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  18. Congratulations. I'm looking forward to many more years of Roundwood reports and blog entries.
    Cheers

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  19. Congrats for the 500 mark! You keep an excellent blog and you deserve every praise that you get.

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  20. Congrats Sidney, one of the best out here!

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    1. Fran, thanks so much! Always great having you here!!

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  21. Congratulations on reaching the milestone for a great blog! Here's to reaching the 1,000!

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  22. My warmest congratulations, Sidney
    Your blog is top notch and one of my favourites

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    1. Benito! What can I say but thank you for that, and for your wonderful blog and all your support over the years!! Gracias!!

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  23. Excellent blog with lots of ideas, some of which I pinch! So in another 4 years or so you should have 1000 followers. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Mark....pinch, nick, steal, plagarise, filch, rob, extract and blag away Sir! Mi casa es su casa, as they say at my local tapas bar!

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  24. Well done Sidney, outstanding work as always, many congratulations.

    All the best

    Airhead

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    1. Thanks Airhead. You're always welcome. You will notice many of your own ideas reproduced here - for which apologies and many thanks!

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  25. Congrats Sidney! Up to thousand followers!

    Greetings
    Peter

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    1. Thanks Peter....Woah......all in good time, Sir!!

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  26. Jolly well done sir!
    Matt

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  27. Congratulations Sidney.. Always plenty to see and inspire in your "World"

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    1. ...and in yours, Dave. Thanks for everything!

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  28. Very well earned! Your blog always inspires, Sidney.

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  29. Well done my good man!!!! Richly deserved!

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    1. Thanks Ray. That means a lot to me, thanks for everything!

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  30. Well done! Always worth a read.

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  31. Congrats! Every visit to your blog is always an inspiration!

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  32. Congratulations Sidney, but then a blog as good as your deserves 500+ followers.

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    1. Alex, that's more than kind. Just really chuffed people like what's here. All the best, mate!

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  33. Congratulations on reaching such an impressive milestone. It's very well deserved though. Your pictures of the miniatures and terrain you have worked on remain some of the best and most inspiring in the blogosphere!

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    1. Lee, that's very kind indeed, mate! It's been blogs like BLMA which have kept me going at times. I owe you a lot, Sir! Always great to see you around!

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  34. Congratulations Sidney on your achievement!

    Christopher

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    1. Christopher, that's very kind indeed. All the best!

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  35. It is an achievement indeed, but one richly deserved! Well done!

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  36. Well done, and a well deserved following.

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  37. Great achievement, Sidney! Nice post and pics of some of gaming's Glitterati, too ;)

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    1. Thanks Monty...I felt like a real paparazzi taking some of those photos!!!

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  38. Congrats on reaching that amazing milestone.

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  39. Well done Sidney! You certainly have one of the best blogs in the hobby. I always look forward to your next post.

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    1. Thanks Mark....I owe you an email as well.....My mind is like a sieve!! Thanks very much for the kind words, and for your own terrific blog. Very best regards!

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  40. Congratulations mr Roundwood, this blog is top notch, one of the best I read. Also your painting is fabulous, I'm trying hard to reach the same level!

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    1. Thank you Rens! That's very kind indeed, and you're more than welcome!

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  41. Well done Grabbers! From Pseudo-Celebrity to real celebrity in almost no time.

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    1. HA! I think the Pseudo-Celebrity title is far more accurate!! Thank you all the same!

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  42. What an excellent post to celebrate! Don't know how I missed you @Salute this year but we will make up in Antwerp I hope. And thx once more for what you give back to the hobby...

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    1. Mike, that's very kind indeed. Thank you...and believe me, its reciprocal! See you in Antwerp, if not before!

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  43. I nearly missed this one...

    Many congrats, Adam!
    500 follows is a lot but it's well deserved!

    Cheers
    Stefan

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    1. Stefan, thank you very much. That's very kind of you.

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  44. It's all beautiful, you're an artist Sir.

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