Was invited by Wargames foundry to come along to Crisis war games convention in Antwerp, well the answer was yes, I had always so enjoyed the pictures of the displays and event on the net so a chance to actually get a personal experience was definite.
We set off on Thursday and arrived later that day the hotel was great and after a good nights rest. on Friday morning me and Darren from Foundry decided to go explore before going to set up later that day, the hotel backed onto a port a small one filled with some very large and expensive craft. the place surrounded by nice restaurants and bars. large walk ways and we knew to avoid the bike riders .
That building is huge and is a museum, we found Antwerp is scattered with building work and road works to the point of you are never out of eye sight of a crane or hole in the land.
Very cold wind but was refreshing we set off to find a toy solider shop
Darren who's company over the time and journeys I enjoyed immensely he I think was infected in the end by my dark humour?
Had to take that picture of that crane to me classic war games terrain piece.
Street names gave us a smile, very old building we saw one that was 1468 and some new cobble streets very clean and the population very polite when we asked for directions.
We did stumble upon various shops of Adult nature and I had to have this picture taken(it was actually direct across from a church?)
The square very elegant
One of the spires
We located the model shop and it was large and full , unfortunately we were running out of time to paroze longer but at least we got our goal very impressive store>
We returned o to the hotel and set off in our van to the convention site here is the huge docks it was situated on.
Two huge rooms were the inside of the building
these perhaps show the expanse
the massive cranes running the length of the port side
Me and Lucy from Foundry who is a delight to be around and has a wicked sense of humour also
As we set up other traders also laid out the wares, this traders terrain was a joy to view very professional.
I wandered in my time taking pictures of the gamers setting up on friday wonderful set ups
I meet and Talked along time to Dave Stone from Wargames Terrain work shop, he had set up quickly, some fantastic miniatures and scenery I did buy a Dino i had to have, great person to talk to one of many I would engage at the event
Fantastic miniatures
Saturday arrived after a night of good food again, here is some of the Cast of Foundry, Diane, Marcus and Lucy, Maria and Alex were on the Warmonger side some how I never got a picture?
I think to be honest we had the largest stand, the Antwerp Wargame club members were so friendly and helpful, really great people I talked as I do. Andre and Willie to name a few.
I took as many pictures of the display games I could and as always if i missed any please forgive me it was huge
Stunning games and miniatures
this one had perhaps the best water i have seen on a table it was a joy to view
A huge one pece gaming area i talked to the builder for a time it was just brilliant.
beautiful wild west town
This was an ambush of a Roman column by tribes men so many trees and superb painted miniatures
large table covered in miniatures
this one had the Mierce miniatures and well it was stunning to look at , very very inspiring and the quality of the work was fantastic
So much i came home and made an order for that big guy and few more/
thwe terrain on this was to me the best the level of detail was the highest.
Some fun displays who looked very popular
Perhaps the highlight of my visit to Crisis I got to meet one of my favourite companies sculptor from Brother Vinni, Wonderful to chat with, he to me is one of the best. (yes I did buy more minis)
South London warlords brought there fantastic Hourus battle scene just outstanding
This looked great all plastic foam board building I was very tempted
a great table with everything even a mine on the game board
We returned Sunday tired but to myself infused by the event, Great chats with people and many new friends.
The convention is huge laid out and has some of the best display games i have seen , the traders had delights for all, Friendly people both young and old, I would say to any war gamer at least once visit Crisis it is worth it. thank you to Wargames Foundry for the chance to go and great company, and to Darren who had put up me. extremely enjoyable all round
My Haul was impressive ,Prospero Perrys, Dice bag lady, Crooked Dice, Studio miniatures Wargames terrain workshop, Vinnis, Elladan miniatures, Microarts and Battlefield Accessories. enough to keep me going for a bit.