Shows
Two Shelves of GamingBoxed In and Surrounded - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 38Welcome listeners.Help! I'm surrounded. Surrounded by boxes that is. Today's episode comes from the Man Cave where this humble podcast began over four years ago. Yep, I'm back in Holland for a few days as part of my family's move from Switzerland back to the Netherlands. The last couple of days saw me renting a HUGE van / truck and moving all our household items out of storage and back into the family home.Of course, as part of this logistical operation, were lots of boxed containing my games. Was looking...2025-04-1934 min
Two Shelves of GamingBoxed In. The movie! - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 39A double whammy of content!Following immediately on from the previous podcast, here is a video of the offending room and boxes. Enjoy gawping at the pile of shame.2025-04-1904 min
Two Shelves of GamingBark, Risk, Trees and Changes - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 37Greetings one and all.Time for another podcast. But this time recorded against the backdrop of some big changes.In spite of the uncertain times I find myself in, I've been merrily crafting away bushes, trees and hills. Plus I've found the time for regular beach combing on the shores of Lake Geneva. Alas, all my efforts are destined to be shoved in a box until the can be placed on the field of battle. Ashak Rise to be precise.Yet, the wargaming Gods do smile upon me and presented with...2025-03-0732 min
Two Shelves of GamingHoarding 'v' Trimming the Fat - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 36Welcome listeners and belated happy new year.
For this first podcast of 2025 I thought I would outline my rough plans for trimming down the gaming paraphernalia into a more manageable pile. While driven by circumstances in my case, it's good practice and prevents an innocent and joy bringing hobby descending into the pits of obsessional hoarding.
After all who wants to end up like Smaug?
Also a few words about game books and how handy they can be when space is a premium. As if you didn't already know.
Oh, the...2025-02-0642 min
Two Shelves of GamingWelcome to the Hobby Room - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 35Time for another video!
As alluded to in the previous episode, I thought I would take you on a tour - if that's the right word - of my bijou hobby space.
There is barely enough room to swing a cat around, yet alone a camera, within the confined space of the apartment's store room. Yet this is the only viable space I can leave things left set up without fear of them being disturbed.
And so I made it my own.
They say necessity is the mother of invention.
2024-12-1713 min
Two Shelves of Gaming"I've been expecting you listener!" - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 34Greetings all and once again humble apologies for not getting to this sooner.
Despite vowing to get a new podcast recorded and uploaded by the 18th of each month, I once more failed in that deadline due to the usual excuse of life getting in the way.
Anyway, better late than never.
This episodes has me recalling my Bond related experience earlier in the year . 'What's that got to do with gaming?' you ask? Well, it inspired me to get into the James Bond RPG which I - ahem *cough* - still...2024-12-1139 min
Two Shelves of GamingCaverns and Wolves - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 33.5Caverns and Wolves? Sounds like a new and non-alliterated RPG.
Nope, this is a short video about a couple of the items I picked up last week in Italy. Even though I've been aware of laser cut MDF gaming aids for some time, I'd never seen these before.
Anyway, have a look and see what you think.2024-11-0104 min
Two Shelves of GamingPlanes, Trains and Games - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 33Greeting all and thanks for tuning in.
I'm a bit late with this episode as the last few weeks has been a blur of travel with a filming job in Germany, a flying visit to the UK and a family holiday in Italy.
In spite of the carousel of Planes, Trains and Automobiles I managed to find and pursue my gaming urges in all territories visited (apart from Germany as I was wearing a gas mask, but that's another story)
In the UK, despite drawing blank in all the charity shops I visited...2024-10-3138 min
Two Shelves of GamingAging and Gaming - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 32Hmm, bit of a different one for this episode as I try to articulate the slight challenges that may occur as we get older.
This is in response to the slight change in my eye health a couple of years ago when I became a glasses wearer. Not the biggest thing to happen to someone over their life, but the way it's affected my painting, gaming and general hobbying has been noticeable.
Alas, I'm not the first gamer to articulate this general subject. I'm following in the wake of Rob Salters, Matthew McLean and Tabletop...2024-09-1836 min
Two Shelves of GamingMoss, Minis and Trees - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 31A quick little show and tell today.
Thought I'd take my camera for a little test drive ahead of a filming job and make a little video of my moss preservation activities, two small pieces of area terrain plus some 'curious' minis.
Also, shown is a potential gaming surface that was damaged in an unfortunate ironing accident. Such is life.
Enjoy the video, enjoy the view and cover your ears when the jet goes past. 2024-09-0309 min
Two Shelves of GamingSmall Footprint - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 30Greetings all!
A bit late with this episode due to the busy summer schedule. Excuses, excuses!
This episode's topic is coming from an article I recently got published in Issue 496 of Miniature Wargames. The theme is small footprint wargaming, or more specifically how to wargame if you've got limited space. Something I've found myself having to do since moving into a moderate sized apartment after living in a large house.
I'm happy to say I'm not the only one and there's been some positive feedback in response to my scribblings from others doing...2024-08-1832 min
Two Shelves of GamingThe Citadel of Chaos - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 29Time for some actual gaming!
Yep, there comes a time in a gamer's existence when it's fine to talk the talk but even better to walk the walk. In other words I thought I would play one of the Fighting Fantasy books I picked up in Edinburgh and see if I could brave the perils of the Citadel armed only with steely determination a sword and spells.
Turns out the book is rather more challenging that I remembered. This is probably in part due to the fact I was playing the game honestly.
...2024-06-1844 min
Two Shelves of GamingBack in Black - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 28Howdy podviewers and welcome to another episode of the show.
As you can see I’ve opted for another moving image contribution to highlight some of the goodies I picked up during my recent visit to Edinburgh.
As per other video efforts this one taps out close to 10 minutes as this is the maximum record time for the camera I’m using – sure I could do something longer with my other video camera, but that’s a decent amount of time for a little show and tell video methinks.
Following on from my previous...2024-05-1809 min
Two Shelves of GamingHail King Theoden - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 27.5Just a quick one today.
To mark the passing of an actor many of you will know from his role as King Theoden in The Two Towers and Return of the King, this mini podcast is a few words about Bernard Hill.
While not exactly a gaming personality, there is a link as he features in an RPG released in conjunction with the films. 'The Lord of the Rings Role Playing Adventure game' was full of still images from the movie series and the boxed set I have is dedicated to the 2nd movie in...2024-05-0805 min
Two Shelves of GamingStar Trek Adventures - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 27"It's Role Playing Jim, but not as we know it".
Welcome to another episode of the podcast and thank you for dropping by.
This one is inspired by another random event in my life. Not so long ago my wife purchase something online and was rewarded with a three month free subscription to Amazon Prime. As a result I watched all 3 seasons of 'Picard' and it made me realize that over my life, in spite of not being a huge Star Trek fan, I've always steadily consumed the films and tv series.
I...2024-04-1842 min
Two Shelves of GamingWhat’s in the Box? - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 26Greetings listeners (and viewers),
It's time for another podcast and this one is a little video. As mentioned in previous episodes I will occasionally be dipping into video occasionally and when I do it'll be something on the short side.
Today I lift the lid - literally - on my paint collection. The reason? I was all ready to start a long overdue painting sessions a couple weekends ago, but disaster struck!
My Abaddon Black had dried up.
Not only did this mean I couldn't undercoat anything as I prefer to...2024-03-1812 min
Two Shelves of GamingD&D Adventurer Magazine - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 25D&D hits the supermarket shelves!
Greetings folks, this episode is about a minor seismic event in the world of RPGs. Last year's release of the D&D Adventurer magazine in the UK.
Instead of having to visit a hobby or book store, this publication appeared all over the place such as in newsagents, supermarkets and corner stores. Its purpose was to bring the D&D hobby to a
wider audience via a regularly published magazine.
Such a magazine publishing concept is nothing new and something I remember from my childhood. They usually...2024-02-1835 min
Two Shelves of GamingI'm back! plus a Charity Shop Find - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 24Happy New Year listener(s) and viewer(s),
I'm back after a woefully long period of time. For a while I was starting to think that my podcast was going the way of many that have come before it - a few episodes every once in a while before the inevitable disappearance, never to be found again.
Another lost soul down the proverbial digital well.
Well, not so with me!
I dragged myself to my camera, microphone and computer to concoct a very simple little video that will hopefully serve as...2024-01-1809 min
Two Shelves of GamingAn ode to trees and greenery - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 23Greetings pod listeners and welcome to another one man stream of conscious podcast.
I'm dusting off a file that's a few months old having recorded this in the light and heat of Slovakia over the summer. Initially I was just doing this as a way to get the creative juices going with regards an article I was planning on writing for a wargames mag. Alas, the creative writing juices are still dammed up so I thought I'd at least upload the tortured trickles.
This episode is a meandering trek through my thoughts on scenery and...2023-09-2945 min
Two Shelves of GamingBlood Sword quick flip through - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 22Time for another video I think!
I needed to test out my camera and microphone kit for an upcoming filming job, but rather that just filming me saying 'Testing 1-2-3, Testing 1-2-3' over and over, I thought I'd do something a tiny bit creative.
So I got out my un-played Bloodsword books written by Dave Morris and illustrated by Russ Nicholson to give them a quick video outing.
I've talked about these fine books before, but here they are in the flesh. Interestingly while they inhabit the same game World...2023-07-1809 min
Two Shelves of GamingThe Battle of Kachas Pass. Ramblings, prep, thoughts and battle report - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 21.Painted giant. Check!
Orcs and Elves. Check!
Scenery ready. Check!
Time for a game. In this episode I chronicle my, at times, confused and fraught plan to FINALLY play scenario 1 from the classic Games Workshop product 'Blood Bath at Orc's Drift'. A mini campaign from the 80s during the era of Warhammer 2nd edition.
In a previous episode I talked about this product and not so long ago mused about my plan to play through this fine product at some point in the future. Given my relocation from Holland to Switzerland...2023-07-1048 min
Two Shelves of GamingRuss Nicholson, a few words - Two Shelves of Gaming episode 20.5Not a full episode, but rather a quick aside that will barely do justice to this podcast's subject, namely the amazing artist Russ Nicholson.
I was saddened to learn of his death just after I'd uploaded the last episode and I'm sure many long time gamers out there are feeling a similar sense of loss at Russ' passing. While I make no pretense to knowing the man, his work absolutely pulled me deeper and deeper into the gaming hobby with his amazing illustrations that were quite simply from another dimension of imagination.
Also the fact...2023-05-2410 min
Two Shelves of GamingWhat have I been up to, Benny Hill (?!) and original Heroquest - Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 20Greetings listeners.
If any of you are confused by the opening, and closing, music for this episode please don't be alarmed. It's a reference to something I say later in the episode.
OK, I could feel that guilt and internal pressure building to record another episode so reached for the Rode Wireless mic and set about turning my thoughts into a wav file. In my rush I don't think I adjusted the recording volume as well as I could have, hence the automatically boosted audio upon upload. You may need to turn down your volume...2023-05-1746 min
Two Shelves of GamingLone Wolf Game Books and a bit of Fighting Fantasy - Two Shelves of Gaming episode 19Greetings podgoers!
I made a point today of setting some time aside to try and gather my scattered thoughts into a coherent podcast about what I've been up to regards gaming. Thus I attached a Rode Wireless mic to my collar and went for a stroll about town during a gap in the day's busy schedule to muse about being re-united with an old friend.
Namely the excellent Lone Wolf Game books written by Joe Dever and illustrated by Gary Chalk. While I did own these books back in the day I'm ashamed to say I...2023-03-0834 min
Two Shelves of GamingHappy New Year with Those Dark Places - Two Shelves of Gaming episode 18Happy New Year folks!
New Year, new podcast. Yes, an actual new podcast. Not the recycled one I uploaded last time. In case any of you were scratching you head about episode 17.5, let me explain. When working on a previous episode I saw a huge announcement declaring I could now upload videos. Seeing as I had an aborted attempt at doing just that a while ago, I thought I'd try again. After all why not finally get people to see the little video I made all the way back in April 2021. Alas, it appears history repeated itself...2023-01-021h 07
Two Shelves of GamingAvalon Hill's 'Dinosaurs of the Lost World' revisited - Two Shelves of Gaming episode 17.5What's this? Another episode, so close to the last one?
Well, no. What we have here is a re-run, a repeat, re-used content getting a second airing due to the new functionality of my podcast hosting service.
Let me explain.
Way back during the planning for episode five, I thought I would dip into video for that episode and so put together a very basic two camera shoot for one of my adventure board games. Simple. Well, not quite. Unlike some other podcast services out there, I discovered - as I was uploading...2022-11-2310 min
Two Shelves of Gaming'Gaming amid the cheese and clocks with a Rusty Dagger' Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 17I'm back!
It's been a while. I know I always say that, but it's REALLY been a while. The guilt of not being able to get my act together and record a podcast was eating me up and I was thinking of ways in which I could at least get a some audio recorded and uploaded. Should I just say 'hello' and chat gibberish for 2 minutes as a place holder? No. I thought I would wait at least a few weeks so there was enough material to spout gibberish for longer. And so here we are.
2022-11-1344 min
Two Shelves of Gaming'A Walk on the wild side. Strolling along the Slovak Hungarian border talking about The One Ring RPG' Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 16Greetings podcasters - Thank you for your patience!
I’ve put off recording and editing this latest offering as I’ve been under the gun regards our family relocation. The last couple of months have been a stressful blur of boxing household items, contacting international removal companies, deciding on schools for the children, choosing where to live and generally all the hassles that accompany such an upheaval. Not mention working a job too!
Well, I don’t want to bore you with the ins and outs of my life at the moment but such is the st...2022-07-2850 min
Two Shelves of Gaming'Odds & Sods - Diplomacy, Warhammer 2nd edition and moving'. Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 15Greetings loyal listeners. Thank you for tuning in to another stream of consciousness podcast in which I cast my eye over my collection and talk about the things that come into my head. Hey, it's a system that works. More or less.
Today I was inspired to get out the microphone as I picked up a brilliant game from the annals of tabletop gaming. Namely Avalon Hill's Diplomacy. Yes, the classic game that was one of the inspirations for Gygax and Arneson as they went about developing their own gaming system. While the game that has little...2022-05-2141 min
Two Shelves of Gaming'Grail Quest. The Castle of Darkness' - return to fantasy game books'. Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 14Welcome podcast listeners to another episode of Two Shelves of Gaming.
As usual I felt a gentle internal pressure to get another episode out there, but as per normal the eternal question of what to talk about stumped me. Luckily I was contacted by a listener called Mark to who had heard about me from the Bedroom Battles podcast and answered a question I had from episode 12. Namely the title of a game book series I once owned in the 80s in which you could end up being killed in your dreams as you attempted to regain...2022-04-0244 min
Two Shelves of Gaming'Race for El Dorado - a Dream Park Role Playing Game adventure'. Two Shelves of Gaming Episode 13.Greetings podsters!
It has been a while since my last offering so I was feeling the slight pressure to get something recorded and edited before time stretched out any further. A combination of procrastination and not knowing what to pick off my book shelves next created a perfect storm of indecision - and talking of storms, Eunice was battering the Dutch coastline as I recorded this episode, you can hear it howling in the background.
The game I chose for this episode, or rather the adventure module, is 'Race for El Dorado', a rip roaring p...2022-02-1946 min
Two Shelves of Gaming'Fabled Lands, Blood Sword and Fighting Fantasy - the joy of game books!' Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 12.Warning! This episode contains a couple sections of poor audio and a mnemonic malfunction.
Greetings podlisteners, I thought I would try something a bit different for this episode.
I thought I would try and record things in the great outdoors.
‘But, why?’ I hear you ask.
Today’s episode scratches the surface of fantasy game books with some passing attention given to the Fabled Lands game book series. The thinking being, this book series convey a sense of the vast almost endless possibilities an adventurer can have while wandering far and wide o...2021-12-3144 min
Two Shelves of Gaming'My name is Tom and I'm a dice addict!' Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 11.Seasonal Greetings folks! Yes, it's that time of year again, with Christmas just around the corner I thought I'd get my finger out and record another podcast before things got to busy. But what subject should I choose this time?
Well, I thought I'd start out easy and re-cap what I've been up to since last time. I've been busy in my own way; some painting, some wargaming and some rules learning. It's been a mixed bag albeit a very satisfying one. I briefly discuss my Anglo-Zulu project using both Osprey's 'The Men Who would be Kings...2021-12-0443 min
Two Shelves of Gaming'To Paint or not to paint, that is the question'. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 10.Greetings folks!
I thought it was high time I recorded another podcast and the inspiration for this episode is a holistic assessment of my miniatures collection - the ones I've painted, the ones I hope to paint and the ones - gulp - I may never paint. But first the backstory - last weekend marked a milestone in my wargaming activities; I actually finished painting all my Pendraken 10mm miniatures (yay!). I ordered them just before the first lockdown of 2020 and promptly set about undercoating and using my newly purchased Citadel Contrast Paints on them. However, after...2021-10-3150 min
Two Shelves of GamingFrostgrave. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 9.Greetings all!
It's been a while. A few things have conspired to keep me away from recording my random musings about my gaming collection; being away on holiday, not being able to decide on which game or product to talk about and wanting to get hold of a decent microphone. All these simple things have conspired to delay me getting my act together and making the latest episode.
Another conspirator were my actual gaming shelves...! Yes, folks, due to the amount of stuff on them I completely overlooked the fact my two shelves contain several...2021-09-1936 min
Two Shelves of GamingThe Elves of Alfheim, D&D Gazetteer. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 8It's been a while!
I've been absent from the podwaves on account of the weather being so nice - with the beach being but a ten minute bike ride away I've been catching up on my body boarding or honing my SUP skills. Also I was a bit of a loss about what I talk about next. Having quite a few games to choose from gave me a case of what I gather is now called 'choice paralysis'. However, fear not. Due to the fluke of nature, I decided upon the D&D Gazetteer, The Elves of...2021-07-0423 min
Two Shelves of GamingBlood Bath at Orc's Drift. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 7.A 'sequel' episode to the last one. In this podcast Games Workshop's Blood Bath at Orc's Drift is discussed and poured over with much more attention and care than when I first bought the game. I specifically remember seeing this game either advertised in White Dwarf, or on display in the old Games Workshop on Liverpool's Bold Street some time in the mid-80s just after its release. I must confess I carry a certain burden of guilt with this product for the twin reasons of only really wanting it for its card buildings and also for not properly...2021-05-1745 min
Two Shelves of GamingBlood on the Streets. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 6.It's been a while! Everyday life has meant I've not been so active with my efforts to get another podcast together so I thought it was high time I got my finger out and recorded something.
The candidate for this episode is Games Workshop's 1985 product 'Blood on the Streets'. A great little package designed for the Role Player or Wargamer to use how they please. I'm a big fan of this period of gaming or Old School Gaming as it's known, particularly Warhammer as it seems to hark back to a time when wargaming was a low...2021-05-1531 min
Two Shelves of GamingAvalon Hill's 'Dinosaurs of the Lost World'. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 5 (with accompanying video)Greetings listener(s) or indeed viewer(s) this latest episode is a bit different as the podcast audio comes directly from the video 2021-04-0210 min
Two Shelves of GamingAdvanced Dungeons and Dragons First Quest boxed set. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 4.Welcome back listener(s)!
In this episode I ramble semi-coherently about TSR's First Quest boxed set which was an introduction to role playing games using the 2nd Edition AD&D system. I remember seeing this product back in the day when my interest in the RPG hobby was starting to fade. Yet even so I didn't have any kind of idea how it fitted in to the larger AD&D gaming universe / multiverse and kind of wondered whether this was some kind of re-start attempt or even a means to bypass the expensive core rule books? I j...2021-03-2741 min
Two Shelves of GamingLord of the Rings Roleplaying 'Adventure' Game. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 3.Welcome back listener(s).
Following on from my tour of my Two Shelves of Gaming and solo RPG experimenting, I'm switching systems this week and taking a closer look at Decipher's Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Adventure Game. Not just a role playing game, but a role playing 'adventure' game no less! Like many games in my collection this was a charity shop purchase I picked up for pennies and something that was many years old. Almost as if from another era. In many ways it was.
I first saw the Decipher's LoTR game back...2021-03-2036 min
Two Shelves of GamingPaleosolo continues. Two Shelves of Gaming - Episode 2.Welcome back listeners!
Thank you for taking the time to click on this podcast and listen to my attempts to try and effectively solo an RPG game. Carrying on from last week's episode, the sketch map is delved into, wanderers encounters, hazards braved, creatures fought and foes battled - it's all going on! Upon reviewing the episode I realized I'd probably omitted a few game mechanics in the process of playing through things, not to mention a house rule I had come up with - alas, this is what happens in the heat of the moment when...2021-03-1557 min
Two Shelves of GamingTwo Shelves of Gaming - Episode 1. Who am I, what are my games and what am I doing?Hello folks, Tom here, I've been tabletop gaming since the early 1980s and love the hobby. It's been something I've carried with me (both literally and figuratively) through all the crazy twists and turns my life has taken. Sure there was a time when my interest in RPGs, Wargames and Adventure board games waned a while, but fortunately new life was breathed into it a few years back and this carries on to the present day. My collection is a mix of games bought back in the 80s and 90s, ebay transactions, lucky finds in thrift stores and modern...2021-03-0948 min