After seeing the advertisement for the first Barcelona wargames show in Miniature Wargames magazine I decided to e-mail the game organiser Dermot Quigley of Campaign-game-miniatures to find out more details. Dermot told me that it was going to be a two-day show with the usual mix of traders, participation and demo games, painting and diorama competitions. Dermot also said that he was also holding the first 'In The Name of Glory' Napoleonic wargaming tournament at the show.

After a quick chat with my mate Peter, we decided to indulge in a bit of late sunshine, cheap booze and of course the all important wargaming. 1 confirmed our place in the tournament, quickly bought a cheap flight and organised a B&B, (all courtesy of the Internet). So with mucho Euros in our pockets we were ready for our grand adventure.

We had no problems with the flight. Our luggage was all their and the regular Airport bus quickly whisked us to central Barcelona. While in England I had bought a street map of Barcelona and on arrival used this to quickly located our accommodation.

The show kicked off at 2 pm, on Saturday 7th September and carried on until nearly 10 pm. To be honest Peter and I weren't expecting too much, being Barcelona's first show but we were pleasantlly surprised. The show was held in a large spacious hall and was well attended on both days by the public and gainers alike. The demo, participation games and tournament were a constant hive of activity and the traders seemed to be doing brisk business as well, although Foundry were unable to attend due to some problem with the terry.

When Peter and 1 went to register in the competition we were introduced to David (Marks, the rules author who was attending the show to oversee the tournament. My friends and I have used 'In The Name o1 Glory' for some time and it was great to meet the person who had written the rules and to question him. Its funny that we all play a number of different commercial rule sets but rarely get to meet the people who created them, so for me this was another plus for the Barcelona show.

After it was agreed who would play who, we settled down to some hectic gaming to see who would move through to the nest round. Sadly, after suffering a crushing defeat, I was out in the first round. Peter got as far as the quarterfinals before his moment of glory faded. About twenty people including us entered the competition, although we weer the only players from foreign parts, so to speak. Many of the people like us had travelled a long way to be in the tournament. They came not only from Barcelona but from all over Spain, including such places as Madrid, Valencia and San Sabastian.

The great thing about the show was the friendly and sociable manner in which it was run. In the evening Dermot announced that he had booked a local restaurant and gave an open invitation to everyone, tournament players and traders. Nearly everyone attended. How great was this, alter a superb meal we all sat out in the cool night air discussing the days events, (via the few people who could speak English) while drinking our favourite tipple until gone 2 am.

On Sunday Pete and I both a little bit worst for wear got to the show when it opened at 10 am and Peter started his next round of battles in the tournament. Around 5 pin the show wound down and was another successful repeat of the previous day. After the painting and diorama competitions were judged, David Marks announced the winners of the competitions and the tournament and presented the prizes.

The show, competitions and the tournament were all free to enter. Even so the winners of the painting and diorama competitions were given certificates and trophies, together with a years free subscription to Spain's wargaming magazine.

The winner and the runner-up in the tournament both received a certificate, a trophy, a commemorative T-shirt a Years free wargaming magazine subscription and £50 worth of 15mm Fantassin Napoleonic figures and were free to choose which army/figures they wished. The Fantassin figures appeared to be the same high quality as A B Figures and so it was a good prize to will.

The players in 3rd & 4th place both received a certificate, a trophy and a Years free wargaming magazine subscription.

We had previously arranged to stay a few more days after the show to take in the sights and do the tourist bit. We had a great time and we will certainly go again if Dermot runs another show next year. Until then Adios Amigos.