Dr Richard Abbott

#OldWorld Large World Random map script gave me Bay Random Nation gave me Hatti Win by 4 VP over Kush, but was sat just 1 achievement away from that type of victory. Kush was the main rival and we had one long war with no city taken.

This was a fun one of #OldWorld Random nation Assyria - not a huge fan of them, especially their unique units but that was the hand dealt. Lakes and Inland Seas map. The "border boost" technology card came late for me an the effect is very obvious with so many cities

Goal was a quick win, ideally a double win as this is easier than I typically run. In the end I won, in 101 turns so pretty fast, and flirted with the Double win from about turn 48 through 60. First time playing a random desert map, it is definitely different. Some cities close, others apart

One more Old World report before I fire up a different game next time. Large random world (Mediterranean) Random Nation/leader - Babylon/Neb The Strong difficulty Loss on turn 148 VP - Hatti

Old World random large map - Coastal Random nation - Babylon The Strong difficulty Took the loss here. Rome was well ahead in VPs, but 3 leaders in the space of about 10 years left me with too many unexpected legacy ambitions to try top win that way.

Map of known world in a game of Old World. Greece (blue - me) starts in the Center/East. Persia (red) starts is the South West Kush (yellow) starts in the North West

Random map - Hard Wood Forest Random leader - Cyrus/Persia The Strong difficulty. Points win. Apologies, I can't alter the Egyptian Orange which is super close to Persian red when over forests. Good expansion versus the tribes, using Cyrus and other generals to make a difference.

Another Old World Game Kush - Large Random Map (Archipelago) Carthage got a VP win just before I got an Ambitions win. Their war with Persia went faster than mine with Greece.

Double Victory (Had double the VPs of the #2 spot, guess this is easier in a dual) Used Hatti's unique fun power of any unit can chop trees to go scorched earth around places Assyria was trying to settle. No forests, or even scrub left for them. Starve them of wood. Quick win (77 turns)

This was a fun one of #OldWorld. Random map was Archipelago Random nation was Persia Key early step was becoming Allied to the Vandals (getting lots of vision). It didn't last, but was also renewed towards the end for a final settlement push in the North West to get the VPs met

Rome in Old World. Single Player Islands Random map. "The Strong" level (one above "The Good" I have been playing on. Simple outcome, everyone was so settled on their islands (except Persia who jumped over) that it was almost impossible to force a bridgehead. Never playing this map style again

Egypt simply just ahead of me and I never got caught up. One major war fought in the middle, rather depleted my forces, which meant a slower than hoped for campaign against the tribes.

Latest go round on the Random everything Old World. Got gifted Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar on a large single continent. (I did check where to find this in the game) Beat Greece to one tribal choke point, and nabbed a whole area from under Rome's nose.

#OldWorld on a rainy day. Random everything except size (large) nations (6) and difficulty (the Good). Solid jump out of the gate and worked hard to keep people mostly peaceful, including trading a newly settled city to Babylon for a Peace treaty.

New nation was interesting, only 3 families and you have to juggle their "influence" to avoid repercussions. I kept 1 family ahead the whole time, but that choice would be interesting for the future (when I eventually get that DLC)

Random large map, Random leader gave me Carthage. Set me up for a trade/diplomacy/espionage type game I *think* the script is multiple continents, but cannot be sure. First solid border between myself and Babylon was mostly determined by a mountain block, only could get round the edges.

5th game as Kush (finish 4-1 with the different leaders). Fast out of the box, kept Carthage and Rome relatively happy with caravans and the occasional bribe, plus a good wall of steel on each border. I think the next DLC I get will be the one that adds families to the existing nations.

4th game as Kush, and did much better. Much more aggressive in grabbing the tribal lands, and got a comfortable start. Hatti came at me (bro!) and got defeated in detail in their mobile forces, and the one city I captured was going to be only the start. I had a 20VP lead so just needed to play safe

3rd go round with Kush in Old World. This one was a loss, as Rome hit the magic number (65) before me. I was on 61, with 4 VPs going to score within the next 4 turns. Never triggered a meeting event for Persia (red)

2nd game as Kush, chose a different leader this time. Going to cycle through them (started with the 5th and did the 4th, so I guess reverse order) Minor early war with Persia, mostly as I settled that Southern city. Another more major war just as the game was ending.

Won my 1st game with Kush in Old World. Quite easily, and I allied with Numidia (tribe) and took over a bunch of their city sites. Only war was with Egypt (Orange) to protect my tribal ally and no cites were lost or gained. Points Victory

Its a campfire cooking kind of night.

Lets see if this works - Video showing the growth

Scat analysis, probably coyote is the summary.

Scenes from today's Hike. Happy New Year folks.

Amicalola Falls today. We hiked up the valley trail, up the stairs and back along the East Ridge.

RIP Terence Stamp. www.reuters.com/business/med...

Family of yours ?

The gentle tinkle of this small waterfall rather ruined today by the aircraft in the background.

This morning's fun. Scout day rocket launch. Thanks to Southern Area Rocketry for hosting. We had 3 successful launches in 3 attempts.

Went for a bike ride today with my son rather than a hike. So here is a small waterfall from yesterday