After a very early start, we set off in the car to Salute 06, so much for going to bed early the night before, it never seems to work out that way, I was too excited.
We drove through the City of London, (there is a first time for everything) it was not as bad as somehow I had expected and Excel was plainly signposted.
We parked in the multi-storey car park and Excel was within easy walking distance. The venue itself was spectacular, big, light and airy.
Loads of food and drink stalls, clean toilets and areas to rest. The hall where Salute was held is also well laid out and easy to navigate, thanks to the plans in the Salute Programme and Miniature Wargames Magazine. Also, as many traders as I could wish to imagine.
The first people we met were from "Gripping Beast", their stand was very impressive and full of figures, it was nice to get a chance to meet Darren for the first time. We bought two T-shirts from the merchandising stand, where there was a large choice of items and then I entered my figures into the painting competition, which was also well run. All the entries were placed in cabinets, which was a great idea. People can view but not touch. The standard was high and there was some great work to be seen.
I next met "Kevin Dallimore" and was delighted to see some of his work displayed. I also met Martin Buck on this stand, another excellent artist, most people know him from the Foundry.
We had a look at some of the great games, which were being held with some fantastic terrain and more splendid figure armies. The guys were having a lot of fun.
The stunning work below is from "Touching History", a new company in the field of terrain construction. They also have a new magazine out which gives hints & tips of the creation of scenery.
I was then tapped on the shoulder by "Darth Vader" who kidnapped my wife for a photo, also the Stormtroopers from "UK Garrison" were all superb entertainment.
I did try to get her back but as you can see I am no match, lol.
Some great Gladiator style fighting displays kept everyone on their feet nearly all day and there was some sort of costume wherever you looked.
We stopped for some refreshments and saw Alan and Michael Perry walking towards us, this was a chance I did not want to miss, so I had a long chat with them, they are really pleasant guys. I had to buy some of their new French, the temptation was too much.
We spent the next hour looking around the trade stands, I was impressed by "Freebooter Miniatures", very friendly, very helpful and brilliant figures. I thanked "Front Rank" for sending me the flag top with tassles for my entry. I ordered them on Thursday 20/04/06 and they arrived Friday morning, I added them to the flag Friday afternoon. This was a last minute thing but great customer service from them. I then had a phone call from Richard Scott from "Otherworld", another friendly guy, he brought some AD&D Figures for me to paint for him, which I will be completing in the next few weeks.
Whilst looking at the painting competition, I recognised someone from a photo I had seen on a website - Was it "Steve Dean"? I asked him and yes it was. We had a nice chat for a while, he has a great forum and just looking at it today, there is a photo of Tom Weiss, who was with Steve at the time. I missed that chance to speak to a fellow German Painter, never mind maybe next time. I think they should all wear name badges, as I probably missed speaking to a lot of people, lol.
The judging finished for the painting competition and this is alway a tense time. My name was called out by John Treadway and I had won. I was so pleased. The entry will stay here in a cabinet with the Award I won.
It was a great day and the Warlords and their proficient team spirit pulled off a truly memorable event.
