The start of any academic year brings with it no end of challenges and surprises.  The shock of coming out of an extended period of relaxation into an atmosphere of seemingly unrelenting industry is often daunting, even for the most seasoned of teachers.  Fortunately we are a resilient species and although faced with drowning amidst the planning, paperwork and pupils the instinct to kick for the surface remains, gulping in the air as we break from the suffocating waves.  This is the point when experience pays dividends and with it the realisation that not only can you do the job, but you enjoy it too!  You see the start of the academic year is not just a lament of the lost summer, but a celebration of beginning; a fresh start if you will.

James and I are keen to reignite our interest in the Schloss Itter project and share that passion with a wider audience.  Much has happened in our various camps over the summer holidays and we are just starting to knit the elements together so that we can share them with you here.

We hope to do this as a means to keep ourselves motivated, but also to engender a  sense of collaboration and are currently working on a couple of ideas that might allow us to ‘reach out’ to a wider audience.

So what can you expect in the coming weeks and months?  Construction is well underway with the castle and with it plenty of problems to solve and discuss.  Rules have been drafted and gameplay considered along with design considerations.  Miniatures have been collected and assembled with research into uniforms and units begun.  There have also been some distractions and diversions that have yielded unintentionally exciting results that we will share soon.

All in all there is a buzz of excitement and industry around the project, but we are only too aware that time is against us and so look to you all to keep us on track with your continued support and for that alone we thank you.  So without any further ado it is time to remove the dust sheets from the painting table and crack on with the project!