"Cloud 9" in my American English usage means "Heavan." So in this context, we collectors are destined for Cloud 9 ... Heavan ... happiness and in this year, too! I'm just going crazy over all of the wonderful new themes/sets that will be released this year.

For me, the new S*R 057 - Bengal Lancers 1898-1902 are going to make many collectors extremely happy. Fiiinnnnaaalllyyy the Orion/Haron Boxer Rebellion Chinese will have someone new to fight. Whew! That was a bit of a wait! ... but so well worth it ... Thank you S*R Team and Thank your Orion/Haron Team! Both of you, "S*R Team" and "O*H Team" - Wonderful job!

But not just the Boxer Rebellion, these fine allies of the British Colonial Empire are going to get ready for embarkation to "The North-West Frontier" next. As you may know, I've got 4 HaT elephants all bridled up with cannon and carriage destined for Afghanistan. Oh no! They are so restless they are ready to break out of my boxes. But they must wait for thier riders! My (Japanese) wife fiiinnnaaalllyyy bought a digital camera that is simple to use and makes my conversions look nice. By month's end or early next month, I will share with you some really simple conversions to do, so that you, too, can continue building your truly soft plastic ... Toy Soldier Empire! This is my first wish answered ...

Everyone, what are your favorite new next releases that you are looking forward to?

"All aboard for destination Cloud 9 ... Cloud 9 now boarding ... last call ... !" Chug, chug, chug-a-chug-a-choo-choo-into new truly soft plastic destinations never before explored ... Here we goooooooo!

Hi Dave,

now we have the first set for the Afghan wars too.
I am looking forward to see Indian infantry, mountain artillery, a lot of Afghans etc...

cheers
Uwe

Just got the expansion to War of the Ring, which has new figs of Ents, Dunlendings, Half-orcs ans some nice Sothron cavalry.
I just hope the Caesar fantasy sets are in a compatible size.

Dear Dave

On my way to

with Strelets Boer war figures

and then the WWI cavalry.

Just got a new flat screen monitor for my computer - an LG. LG inform me on their box that LG stands for life's good.
With the new figures LG,LG.

the Call to Arms modern british, coming out in May. I hope these are the 1980s para's that were prereleased some years ago...

Strangely I am eagerly awaiting Imex German infantry (don't know why but still), or Hat French infantry world war one and most future releases from Pegasus.

Cant wait for GerMan Napoleonic Campaign Egypt Love this hobby

Hi David,

I like your Cloud 9 icon!

My wife and I bought a desk top with bigger screen earlier this year as opposed to a smaller lap-top. The bigger screen makes a huge difference for enjoying collectors scans and S*R previews, doesn't it?

Both the Boer War and WWI are going to give me "Big fun." I still hope that S*R gives us some more of the Crimean sets such as Russian Lancers before years-end. Have fun with the new electronics!

Here's to "Life's Good!"

Dear Dave
I agree about more Crimean sets. British in Greatcoats for Inkerman and some French and Brit siege artillery and artillery in general of the big stuff. The Boer war and WWI stuff is great but as you say the Crimean War is not done with yet. Those Crimean British infantry give me a lot to be getting on with-enjoyable though

The new flat screen stops me developing a flat nose (probably not a bad thing).
I had it up and running within one hour of thinking I ought to have a new screen. That included, walking to the shops, buying it, unpacking, installing, testing and getting rid of the packing and old monitor (and making a cup of tea somewhere in the process). Probably a consumer record. Years of experience buying and putting together Nintendo's, Megadrives and PS2s for my kids. I knew it would come in handy some time.
Actually the Cossacks computer game was the thing that sparked off a renewed interest in model figures a few years ago.