This issue of Age of Empires is a little later than (even?) usual, due in part to some changes in the production team at Partizan, but also to the fact that my family has grown recently, with the attendant lack of sleep and concentration on my part!

That said, contributions continue to come in slowly; I honestly think we are shaping up as the best colonial magazine in the military interest sector, with some first rate articles; nonetheless, it would be nice to see a few more of them! Don't be shy with your ideas; please write to me direct at PO Box 412, Canterbury, Kent.

I was recently invited to attend Fall In! the HMGS' new convention in the States. Apart from the fact this was particular fun for me, because it was staged at Gettysburg, and gave me the chance to explore the battlefield, it was also interesting to see how mainstream colonial subjects are among US wargames. There was a very wide range of participation games on show, including obvious choices such as Isandlwana, as well as less well-known ones such as Lang's Nek. Moreover, there was a general enthusiasm for more off-beat and unusual ideas. Let's , hope that this is a sign that US gamers will continue to take the colonial period to heart.

On a broader note, 1999 is of course the centenary of the beginning of the Anglo-Boer War.

Although it is probably true to say that has failed to capture the public imagination to the same extent as the Anglo-Zulu War, there is nonetheless talk of an manner of exciting books a and TV documentaries, as well as a program of events in South Africa itself. Watch this space!

All in all, it looks as if '98 will continue to have a good deal to offer Colonial enthusiasts -and you'll read about them here first!

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