Excursions is @kinsonkeygames.bsky.social newest game in the Galactic Cruise universe, and I'm lucky enough to have a pre-production prototype to play with. I love Galactic Cruise, so I'm really keen to get this played.

I introduced three new players to @theoldkingscrown.bsky.social The Old King's Crown last night at a local games night. It all came down to the final battle, which naturally, I lost 😅 what's the saying? "Never with the game you're teaching". I did that superbly!

Today I'm learning Hunt For Blackbeard. It's a two-player asymmetric game of cat and mouse, one player as the infamous Blackbeard, the other hunting them. Fort Circle's other games like Votes For Women and Shores Of Tripoli are excellent, and early impressions of this are really good too.

Inferno was a nightmare for baggies and bits, so I set my tired old 3D printer off and a couple of days later, I have a satisfyingly well-fitted insert to tame it 😊

I love being part of a hobby where sentences like this are perfectly normal.

I'm up to 50 hours of learning Japanese with a tutor since January, and still really enjoying it. Yes, it's pretty expensive compared to an app subscription, but I have learned so much more that it's almost incomparable. Plus, I get to talk to my lovely teacher twice a week 😄

This teeny device has helped me read again. Sounds daft for someone who writes a lot to say, but if I _try_ to read, like sit down and cut out time to do it, I find it hard to concentrate on the text. The tiny screen and quick page-flipping have really helped me enjoy it again (Xteink X4).

More Eternal Sevens. The last time I played I used Casual mode, which was great. This time though I played the Gamer mode, which is even better. You walk a nearly constant tightrope trying not to give your opponents the upper hand. I think this is probably better than Eternal Decks...

Samesies!

I was playing a game based on Inferno just this evening.

A learning play of Zenith tonight, from @playpunk.bsky.social & @hachettebguk.bsky.social . There's a pretty simple concept of playing cards with actions to tug-of-war the coloured planet tokens, but the research track and leader actions throw in just enough to keep things really interesting.

I took my son to a local comic-con this morning. All the usual stalls, plus Chris Barrie signing stuff, which was pretty cool for Cornwall, I guess. I, however, found a Japanese lady selling Japanese stationery, which was superb. I picked up a notepad and this super-cute Totoro stamp.

I finished my Kokuyu Campus notebooks (which are great, btw) so it was time to treat myself to new stationery! Maruman Mnemosyne A5 notebook and a Uni Jetstream 3-in-1 pen. New stationery day is like Christmas 🤗

My little collection of Japanese games is growing and needs its own shelf now, so I obliged. There's an intruder, but I think it's allowed.

This is After You Beto-Beto San from Travel Games very own Mr Ben & Mrs Sam, with art by Hakushi. Super charming 4-player only trick taking game with double ended cards. Very clever, enjoyable game so far.

We've all got shelves groaning under the weight of unplayed games, so let's play them. @gamingrules.bsky.social has conjured up International Unplayed Games Day just for funsies, so stick it in your diary, play something new, and let the world know how it was 😀 www.facebook.com/GamingRulesV...

Now that's what I call a delivery day!

We had seven people at tonight's games group. With a newbie there we played some games with everyone, including Night of the Ninja. I'm mostly done with social deduction these days, but NOTN is really good and plays fast.

I can speak some Japanese. Yay me. Seiously though, learning with a tutor is awesome, I highly recommend it. Give me a shout if you want a referral link with 70% off your trial lesson.

There's a small studio in Japan called @amuristudio.bsky.social putting out some great games. I backed their previous games The Coil and Briscola Chiamata, I met them at UKGE and got a prototype of their new title, Nine Tails. Very cute, and a lot of fun.

Much excitement. My trusty old, very basic rice cooker broke yesterday after years of faithful service. Sad times, but it does mean I can finally justify buying something a bit fancier. I haven't gone as far as a Zojirushi, yet, but very pleased to have this on the way, a Yum Asia Sakura.

Had a cracking night at the local games café. Bristol 1350, Ghost Lift, Bella Vista and First Giants. Good times.

I did a thing, and I will be getting on a plane in April. Exciting!

I'm home after UKGE 2026 and drained to 1% in every way except my heart, which is full to bursting. I will write up my thoughts in full when I've recharged, but spending 4 days in the company of the team on Saashi & Saashi's stand was special. Games make memories.

It's unbelievably hot at UKGE and I'm incredibly grateful to @bags4dice.bsky.social for giving me some water and letting me sit by her fan when I overheated. Also, the things on her stall are amazing, so go buy some too, like this awesome dicetray notebook!

What a day! A hundred person queue for Railway Porters from 9am, introducing Sir Ian Livingstone to Saashi & Takako, picking up Nokosu Dice for a much more reasonable £20, Ghost Lift with the amazing @saibep.bsky.social artwork, demo after demo of game, and more to boot. Let's do it all again?

UKGE day 1, let's get it.

Day 0 of UKGE ends with me eating a pot noodle with a teaspoon in my hotel room. What a day though. I met with Saashi, Takako and Maisy at the stand, then manned the preview table and chatting to some lovely people inc. @meepleuniversity.bsky.social & @funwithboxes.bsky.social . Bring on day 1!

Time to hit the road, see you soon UKGE chums.

Okay, UKGE is just a couple of days away. This is what I look like, so if you see me, come say hi. The games might be why you go, but it's the people you'll remember.