Tuesday 16 April 2013

40th Birthday

I'm 40 today, a date shared with Charlie Chaplin, Dusty Springfield, ex-Pope Benedict and, so I'm told, some bloke called Rafa Benitez.  My office desk is covered in about a tonne of glitter and someone has put up lots of photos of me as a baby/toddler with, er, "witty" captions.  I suspect the hand of the Kiwi. My birthday always tends to co-incide with Salute,  The very first Salute I attended was actually on my birthday - I think in 1986 when I was 13.  Happily, my spending power is rather better nowadays than it was when I was 13, even with 2 money-devouring children; so I'm looking forward to a couple of "birthday treats" on Saturday.  In the meantime, this seems an appropriate opportunity to thank everyone who reads, follows and comments on this blog and for the extra enjoyment of the hobby I have had from such contact.  Here are some of my favourite photos from the achives to celebrate past 7 years of blogging about toy soldiers.




















 

33 comments:

Dalauppror said...

Congratulation Giles on the big day !!!!!!

Thanks for all stunning minis you paint and share with us, lots of inspiration!!!

Best regards Michael

Steve-the-Wargamer said...

Happy Birthday Giles... looking forward to Salute myself!

Mosstrooper said...

Many happy returns !

Colin Ashton said...

Here's to the next 40

Colin Ashton said...

Here's to the next 40 years!

Sire Godefroy said...

What can I say? Many congratulations, Giles!

Cheers, SG/Tilman
www.mountainsoflead.com

Capt Bill said...

Happy Bitrhday mate!

Michael Awdry said...

Very many happy returns and such a visual treat to boot; have a great day my good man.

Whisperin Al said...

Many happy returns!

Paul Forgette said...

Happy Birthday Giles ..... I remember my 40th .......
Well sort of ...... just passed my 66th ...... I enjoy your website.

Der Alte Fritz said...

Happy birthday Giles. At 40 you are still considered a "young puppy" in my book. Happy shopping at Salute!

Best regards,

Jim

Mike said...

Happy birthday! If you were here in the States, you could retire in 25 years. It's a great blog.

Chris Stoesen said...

Happy Birthday.

Silver Whistle said...

Happy Birthday Giles.

airhead said...

Have a great day, many congratulations, 40 is the new 30.

Best regards

Airhead

Andy McMaster said...

Hope you've had a great day and that your desk is now suitably de-glittered. Though I'm sure the 'youthful' photos will be around for a while! And have a great and toy filled day at Salute!

Andy

painterman said...

Many congratulations on the milestone Giles - and for a great blog, which has been such a consistently high standard over the years.
So where are the pics of young Giles the toddler then...?? :)
Simon.

Christopher(aka Axebreaker) said...

Happy birthday Giles!! May your blog continue to inspire as all with your fantastic painting and rich background text!

Christopher

El Grego said...

Happy birthday Giles!

Stefan (aka. Monty) said...

Congratulations Giles!

And thanks for the pictures of those excellent miniatures. I hope that a lot more will follow!
;-)

Cheers
Stefan

Rodger said...

Happy Birthday Giles! Great photos too.

AJ (Allan) Wright said...

Happy birthday. Enjoy Salute. As far as wargamers go you're still a youngster. Healthy and happy living.

AJ

Greg Sapara said...

Happy birthday Giles - and many more!!!

valleyboy said...

Looking forward to a drink with you after Salute Giles

Those pictures sum up the quality of what you've produced over the years

meadows boy said...

All the best, have a good one :-)

Vinnie said...

Happy Birthday Old Chap I turned 42 on the 4th April...now you can be call 'Old Balls"

Doc Smith said...

Apologies for the late reply but many happy returns on your Big-Four-O Giles. Now the real fun begins!

Thanks for posting all those wonderful pictures of your extraordinary painting talent and we can all look forward to another 40 years of your painting prowess!

Well done that man.

Schrumpfkopf said...

Congratulations - I just had my 41.
It's going downhill from here :--)

Foss1066 said...

For those of us over the pond, these kind of reports really sustain us. Thanks Giles, and happy Bday!

Cheers
Thomas

Iowa Grognard said...

Completely missed this post, so belated happy birthday wishes are in order.

Steve said...

Hi Giles

I noticed you brought the Carlist Wars Scenario booklet at Salute, what did you think of it.

NAPOLEONIC-SPAIN said...

the best blogs!

NAPOLEONIC-SPAIN said...

congratulations