Monday night is games night! Paul and Lisa were joined by Andy, Greg and Vin. We played Powergrid, a new game for Lisa. Paul struggled with this a bit but still really enjoyed it. The good power stations proved elusive, however...
Greg eventually won being able to power 15 cities. Vin came second also powering 15 cities but having less cash! Andy came third after a stunning comeback. Lisa came fourth after leading most of the wayk and Paul came last after poor positioning at the start of the game.
Lisa really enjoyed this..almost as much as Puerto Rico she said! I just knew she would like resource management games!
A good evening.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Saturday 25th November 2006
Whilst Eleanor napped Lisa and I had 2 games of Carcassonne The Castle (we had both missed this and regretted not taking it to Center Parcs!)
Lisa won the first game 108 to Paul's 90. She was greatly helped to do this by having tokens which allowed her to score an unfinished house (7) and an unfinished road (20).
Paul won the second game scoring 115 to Lisa's 84. This was due to having 2 'score 5 points' tokens and completing a very large tower and a very long road towards the end of the game.
It felt good to be reunited with our current, favourite game!
Lisa won the first game 108 to Paul's 90. She was greatly helped to do this by having tokens which allowed her to score an unfinished house (7) and an unfinished road (20).
Paul won the second game scoring 115 to Lisa's 84. This was due to having 2 'score 5 points' tokens and completing a very large tower and a very long road towards the end of the game.
It felt good to be reunited with our current, favourite game!
Friday 24th November 2006
Steer joined Lisa and I for dinner (Roast Duck!) and we then introduced him to Hey! That's My Fish over a bottle of wine (or 2). Steer enjoyed this and his mathematical mind seemed stimulated....
Steer 36, Lisa 33, Paul 27.
Lisa 46, Paul 32, Steer 21.
Lisa 36, Steer 32, Paul 31.
Steer 40, Paul 33, Lisa 23.
He was then persuaded to try Guillotine...3 times!
Paul 34, Lisa 30, Steer 29.
Lisa 19, Paul 17, Steer 16.
Steer 24, Paul 23, Lisa 21.
A fabulous evening.
Steer 36, Lisa 33, Paul 27.
Lisa 46, Paul 32, Steer 21.
Lisa 36, Steer 32, Paul 31.
Steer 40, Paul 33, Lisa 23.
He was then persuaded to try Guillotine...3 times!
Paul 34, Lisa 30, Steer 29.
Lisa 19, Paul 17, Steer 16.
Steer 24, Paul 23, Lisa 21.
A fabulous evening.
Monday 20th November 2006
Monday night is games night...even if we had only just got home from Center Parcs! Paul was joined by Jack, Greg and Andy. We decided to try Vlanderen 1302; a game only Paul and Andy had played before. It took everyone a while to get into it but then appeared to be enjoyed. The game felt even closer than the final scores indicate:
Greg 46, Jack 42, Andy 36, Paul 34, Neutral 8.
We all fancied something quicker and less mentally challenging next, so we had 2 games of Guillotine.
Paul and Jack drew the first game (17 points), Greg 12, Andy 11.
Greg 23 (quietly collecting palace guards!), Jack 22, Paul 19, Andy 12.
A fun evening once again!
Greg 46, Jack 42, Andy 36, Paul 34, Neutral 8.
We all fancied something quicker and less mentally challenging next, so we had 2 games of Guillotine.
Paul and Jack drew the first game (17 points), Greg 12, Andy 11.
Greg 23 (quietly collecting palace guards!), Jack 22, Paul 19, Andy 12.
A fun evening once again!
Sunday 19th November 2006
Whilst Eleanor napped, and Lisa S, Richard and Baby Emma were swimming, Lisa and I thought we would try the 2-player version of Finstere Flure. Lisa had previously tried this in a group and had not particularly enjoyed it. She found the 2-player version gave her the chance to better understand how the monster moves and how he can be lured towards the opposing pieces.
Paul won the first game by gettting 2 tokens out to Lisa's 1 (5 were eaten though!)
The second game was a draw (although Lisa had the moral victory!) as we each got 2 pieces out.
We played again in the evening and Lisa won easily, getting 3 of her peices to safety whilst Paul managed only 1!
Lisa S and Richard then joined us for 2 games of Diamant.
Lisa S 46, Richard 45, Lisa 0, Paul 0 (our worst game ever!)
Lisa 36, Lisa S 36, Paul 27, Richard 18.
We then moved on to Hey! That's My Fish.
Lisa S 35, Paul 31, Lisa 17, Richard 16.
Paul 40, Lisa S 22, Richard 20, Lisa 16.
Lisa and I then had a final go at Finstere Flure; Lisa won with 2 of her pieces making it to safety whislt Paul managed to rescue just 1.
Paul won the first game by gettting 2 tokens out to Lisa's 1 (5 were eaten though!)
The second game was a draw (although Lisa had the moral victory!) as we each got 2 pieces out.
We played again in the evening and Lisa won easily, getting 3 of her peices to safety whilst Paul managed only 1!
Lisa S and Richard then joined us for 2 games of Diamant.
Lisa S 46, Richard 45, Lisa 0, Paul 0 (our worst game ever!)
Lisa 36, Lisa S 36, Paul 27, Richard 18.
We then moved on to Hey! That's My Fish.
Lisa S 35, Paul 31, Lisa 17, Richard 16.
Paul 40, Lisa S 22, Richard 20, Lisa 16.
Lisa and I then had a final go at Finstere Flure; Lisa won with 2 of her pieces making it to safety whislt Paul managed to rescue just 1.
Saturday 18th November 2006
After another day of swimming and relaxing at Center Parcs, Lisa and I persuaded Lisa S and Richard to try Hey! That's My Fish. Depsite Lisa S observing that it used 'tictacs' they both really enjoyed this and did far better than Lisa and I (this is one game I am currently finding ridiculously difficult with my current neurological problems). We enjoyed 3 games:
Richard 27, Lisa S 27 (Richard had the most floes), Lisa 22, Paul 22 (Lisa had the most floes).
Lisa 2 28, Richard 27, Paul 22, Lisa 22 (Paul had the most floes).
Lisa 26, Paul 26 (tied for floes!), Lisa S 25, Richard 22.
Lisa S then requested another go at Diamant. The first game got off to a bad start; the first mine was infested with scorpions after two cards were drawn both showing scorpions...mine two caved in with two rock falls before any jewels were found!
Scores recovered after this, although Paul had no jewels until mine 4!
Paul 51, Lisa S 36, Richard 30, Lisa 29.
Game 2 went much more smoothly:
Richard 36, Lisa S 30, Paul 21, Lisa 20.
Richard 27, Lisa S 27 (Richard had the most floes), Lisa 22, Paul 22 (Lisa had the most floes).
Lisa 2 28, Richard 27, Paul 22, Lisa 22 (Paul had the most floes).
Lisa 26, Paul 26 (tied for floes!), Lisa S 25, Richard 22.
Lisa S then requested another go at Diamant. The first game got off to a bad start; the first mine was infested with scorpions after two cards were drawn both showing scorpions...mine two caved in with two rock falls before any jewels were found!
Scores recovered after this, although Paul had no jewels until mine 4!
Paul 51, Lisa S 36, Richard 30, Lisa 29.
Game 2 went much more smoothly:
Richard 36, Lisa S 30, Paul 21, Lisa 20.
Friday 17th November 2006
We spent a long weekend at Center Parcs with Lisa S, Richard and their little baby daughter, Emma (who is gorgeous!). Lisa and I managed to persuade them to have a go at a few games we happened to take with us....
This evening we introduced them to the joys of Diamant. Lisa S liked the jewels (shiny!) and both liked the easy rapidity of the game.
Amidst the consumption of alcohol we had three games:
Paul 52, Richard 37, Lisa S 28, Lisa 25.
Paul 44, Lisa S 36, Richard 23, Lisa 11
Lisa S 24, Lisa 11, Richard 2, Paul 2.
There are some shockingly low scores in there....
This evening we introduced them to the joys of Diamant. Lisa S liked the jewels (shiny!) and both liked the easy rapidity of the game.
Amidst the consumption of alcohol we had three games:
Paul 52, Richard 37, Lisa S 28, Lisa 25.
Paul 44, Lisa S 36, Richard 23, Lisa 11
Lisa S 24, Lisa 11, Richard 2, Paul 2.
There are some shockingly low scores in there....
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Monday 13th November 2006
The usual Monday night fun took place...
I was joined by Spencer, Greg and Andy. First up was a quick game of Hey! That's My Fish. Despite not having played before Spencer won! (Spencer - 32, Paul - 27, Greg - 22, Andy - 15).
Vin then arrived and we built the Pitch Car track shown above! Despite not having played this before Andy won and Vin came second. Paul was next with Spencer then Greg bringing up the rear.
We then sat down again for a go at Niagara. Vin impressed us all by winning this (eventually) with 7 gems. Greg and Spencer each had 6, Andy had 5 and Paul had 4 (although he only needed a yellow one to have one of each colour). This game took longer than usual as there was a lot of tactical 'stealing' going on!
A great evening!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Saturday 11th November, 2006
Our routine at weekends seems to have become that whilst Eleanor has a nap Lisa and I play a game. Today we returned to Canasta. My impaired thinking does not seem to spoil my results at this although I do find it harder to play than normal. We had three hands with Paul winning the first two and Lisa the last one (Paul - 1205, 1310 and 495; Lisa - 470, 920, 1290). This was a new game and the final scores were Paul 3010 and Lisa 2680. Lisa currently leads 3 games to 1. Paul was a little annoyed with the final hand as he miscounted his wild cards and could have scored nearer 1500 points! Oh well....there's always next weekend.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Friday 10th November 2006
After Eleanor had gone to bed, Lisa and I had a game of Carcassonne - The Castle. It was a close game; itwas not clear who had won unitl the final scoring. Lisa won with 102 to Paul's 96. Her tactic of scoring a few points repeatedly and collecting more of the tokens from the early part of the scoring track paid off. She ended up having an 'add 5 to your final score' token, as well as 'score an unfinished road' and 'add 2 to your largest house'. The latter also gave her the largest keep scoring her an additional 7 points. This galls a little as she won by only 6! Oh well....
Today I discovered that in January 2007 there will be another extension to Pitchcars! It will feature 2 straights, 2 flat ended curves (allowing for crossovers) and, most excitingly, 4 half-curves! I am already picturing track layouts in my mind.... However, Lisa insists that when I promised not to buy any more games until 2008 (!) this did include expansion sets. I have tried arguing, repeatedly, that this is not the case but...she gets scary!
Today I discovered that in January 2007 there will be another extension to Pitchcars! It will feature 2 straights, 2 flat ended curves (allowing for crossovers) and, most excitingly, 4 half-curves! I am already picturing track layouts in my mind.... However, Lisa insists that when I promised not to buy any more games until 2008 (!) this did include expansion sets. I have tried arguing, repeatedly, that this is not the case but...she gets scary!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Tuesday 7th November 2006
Before going to the cinema (to see Terry Gilliam's 'Tideland') Mal and I decided to have a quick go at Pitchcars. Mal had previously enjoyed this and had taken an early lead in our 'lifetime championship type thingy' 5 - 4. My challenged brain struggled to construct the track (as shown) as I kept gettting confused as to which track design I was following! It was harder than it looks to play on. The chicane on the straight was particularly challenging and held us both up repeatedly. We did manage to get one 'action shot'; Mal's car can be seen in the air just above the track. We were both rather proud of this.
In the end Paul won both games, bringing the running total to Paul 6, Mal 5....it could still go either way!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Monday 6th November 2006
Monday was once again games night. I was joined by Jack, Greg and Vin (who arrived after our first two games of Hey! That's My Fish which Lisa played with us).
To be honest I can't really remember much of the evening. However, this is due to my current neurological problems rather than it being a forgettable evening. On the contrary I do remember that I had a really good time and enjoyed myself.
I do remember (sort of) playing Hey! That's My Fish. Lisa won the two games she played (Lisa 29, Paul 28, Greg 21, Jack, 20: Lisa 34, Greg 23, Paul 21 and Jack 18). Despite a poor showing in the first two games Jack confidently won the third (once Lisa left us and was replaced by Vin). Score was Jack 29, Greg 22, Paul and Vin 20 each. Vin and Greg had not played this before but both enjoyed the quickness and elegant simplicity of the game.
We then played Masons. I don't remember this much except that I was behind for much of the game but finished in 2nd place. Sadly, I can't remember how this happened. This is a game I enjoy but I have not yet found a good approach to it. Greg won 147, Paul 137, Jack 133 and Vin 121.
We rounded off the evening with a game of Niagara. Apart from teasing Vin who was weighing his options for .... a lengthy period of time, I don't remember this at all...which is sad as it was only the second time I have played it. Greg won with one jewel of each colour, Paul had 6, Jack and Vin had 4 each.
A fun evening was had by all and we hope to be joined again by Andy and Spencer next week.
To be honest I can't really remember much of the evening. However, this is due to my current neurological problems rather than it being a forgettable evening. On the contrary I do remember that I had a really good time and enjoyed myself.
I do remember (sort of) playing Hey! That's My Fish. Lisa won the two games she played (Lisa 29, Paul 28, Greg 21, Jack, 20: Lisa 34, Greg 23, Paul 21 and Jack 18). Despite a poor showing in the first two games Jack confidently won the third (once Lisa left us and was replaced by Vin). Score was Jack 29, Greg 22, Paul and Vin 20 each. Vin and Greg had not played this before but both enjoyed the quickness and elegant simplicity of the game.
We then played Masons. I don't remember this much except that I was behind for much of the game but finished in 2nd place. Sadly, I can't remember how this happened. This is a game I enjoy but I have not yet found a good approach to it. Greg won 147, Paul 137, Jack 133 and Vin 121.
We rounded off the evening with a game of Niagara. Apart from teasing Vin who was weighing his options for .... a lengthy period of time, I don't remember this at all...which is sad as it was only the second time I have played it. Greg won with one jewel of each colour, Paul had 6, Jack and Vin had 4 each.
A fun evening was had by all and we hope to be joined again by Andy and Spencer next week.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Sunday 5th November 2006
Whilst Eleanor slept we snuck in a quick game of.....Carcassonne - The Castle! Using the approach favoured by Lisa the previous evening (and being hugely lucky with tile draws!) Paul won. 118 to Lisa's 79. For the majority of the game it appeared that our keeps would remain tiny (3 tiles each) and so no one would score the points for the remaining space. Therefore neither of us bothered trying to shrink the remaining largest area. With my penultimate tile I managed to finish a seven tile house and get the extra 11 points...I was also fortunate with markets and scoring double for a large tower thanks to a token collected from the score track.
Saturday 4th November 2006
Whilst Eleanor was enjoying her long, afternoon nap Lisa and I enjoyed 2 games of Carcassonne - The Castle. This is firmly our favourite game at the moment. It is still new enough to feel fresh and is perfect for two people; a lot of games are less impressive in their two player form so we are pleased to have one designed just for two! Its also more complex than it first appears. We try different tactical approaches and are still learning how each other thinks. There are a lot of variables and the tiles run out quickly (30 each). I like the way the board offers a definite boundary...although it can start to feel claustraphobic.
The first game was close; Lisa won 102 to Paul's 96. It was not clear until the end who was going to win. Lisa's approach was to try to score small off every tile...if it could contribute to a larger construction then so much the better.
Lisa won the second game easily using this tactic scoring 115 to Paul's 79. In this game Lisa managed to score so that she picked up nearly all the tokens on the score track which gave her a massive advantage. Paul also committed two meeples early on to holding two market stalls each. In retrospect I think it wopuld have been wiser to keep the meeples in play and score more points the same way Lisa did!
The first game was close; Lisa won 102 to Paul's 96. It was not clear until the end who was going to win. Lisa's approach was to try to score small off every tile...if it could contribute to a larger construction then so much the better.
Lisa won the second game easily using this tactic scoring 115 to Paul's 79. In this game Lisa managed to score so that she picked up nearly all the tokens on the score track which gave her a massive advantage. Paul also committed two meeples early on to holding two market stalls each. In retrospect I think it wopuld have been wiser to keep the meeples in play and score more points the same way Lisa did!
Friday 3rd November 2006
Instead of collapsing in front of the TV Lisa and I decided to play several games of Carcassonne The Castle... before collapsing in front of the TV.
The first game was close; Paul won 77 to Lisa's 67. In the second game Paul was fortunate in that he collected 2 tokens scoring 4 points per market stall in one court. Paul had 9 markets in two courts netting 36 points! He also secured the largest keep giving him victory 120 to 57. Lisa's revenge was swift and she demolished Paul in the third game 108 to 53. (She managed this despite having consumed several mugs of mulled wine and looking a bit rosy-cheeked!).
The first game was close; Paul won 77 to Lisa's 67. In the second game Paul was fortunate in that he collected 2 tokens scoring 4 points per market stall in one court. Paul had 9 markets in two courts netting 36 points! He also secured the largest keep giving him victory 120 to 57. Lisa's revenge was swift and she demolished Paul in the third game 108 to 53. (She managed this despite having consumed several mugs of mulled wine and looking a bit rosy-cheeked!).
Friday, November 03, 2006
Thursday 2nd November 2006
Once again, whilst Eleanor snoozed, Lisa and I had 3 quick games of Carcassonne - The Castle. (It was a long snooze!). Despite Lisa obtaining most of the markets in the first game Paul won 92 to 86. In the second game Lisa once again dominated the markets but her pieces were tied up for too much of the game stopping her getting "quick" points. Paul took advantage of this (and having the larger keep) and won 111 to 94. Lisa returned to form in the third game and trounced Paul 93 to 70. This was an interesting game as both keeps were of the same size so no one picked up the 15 available bonus points.
As usual we both enjoyed playing this game. My current cognitive problems only affected my play a little bit (usually stupid tile-placement) and were counteracted by the amount of luck I received!
As usual we both enjoyed playing this game. My current cognitive problems only affected my play a little bit (usually stupid tile-placement) and were counteracted by the amount of luck I received!
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