Scourge of War Boards

Hi Reb,

Thanks for your kind words on the forum.

I did finally manage to cut through the misfortunes. I has a massive crash after “almost” installing Patch 3 and, like an idiot, I hadn’t backed up. I was very busy with other things at the time and just didn’t have time to reconstruct everything from the bottom up. So I soldiered on, literally, with TC2M.

When all the new maps started to arrive for Gettysburg, my interest was revived. I still had the original Gettysburg programe download stored on file but decided to order the CD. There my troubles started.

I think it’s a spin-off from the US sanctions on Zimbabwe but Paypal does not recognise Zimbabwe. They arbitrarily shoved “South Africa” on the end of my delivery address and that’s where the CD has presumably gone, long stolen by now.

Anyway I restarted from my saved program download. Norb kindlly provided a couple of replacement registration codes and I was away.

Given we have no working telephone system in the rural area where I live, my communications are by a very expensive but also very slow satellite link. It is also very limited on allowable download size. I finally loaded down patch 4 after no fewer than 24 failed attempts. Mostly at 4.00 am when there is a chance of some power.

I used Mike’s admirable site last week to find the latest versions of all the mods, including your masterpieces of course, and now I am almost complete again.

My problems start the moment I have to pay for something. I can’t order the Antietam and Pipe Creek Maps direct since Pay Pall doesn’t want to know Zimbabwe and in addition Zimbabwe doesn’t use Zip Codes and no one will accept an order on-line without one being quoted. So I have got a friend in the UK to complete the financial end of the business leaving me only to tie up the ends with Norb to get eventually the actual downloads.

I will gladly do some more photos. I have a big outcrop of rocks in my garden by the side of the house which is a dead ringer for Devil’s Den. I have always hankered after putting some of my workers up there with blue peaked caps and rifles. I will see what I can do over the next couple of days. Should be a laugh.

Thanks again for remembering me and for your kind welcome back.

Geoff Laver Late of Her Britannic Majesty’s 57th Regiment of Foot.

Good that you have that UK connection, might be more difficult to get things from the States to Africa. So, PayPal doesn't want to know Zimbabwe...what a hoot, but understandable. Nigeria has ruined the reputation of Africa as a whole in my book, that country is notorious for criminal scam activity, I'm sure the government must be involved. Then there's Somalia, mass poverty begets evil.

Zimbabwe must be otherwise somewhat civil, or you would not choose it as your home. Sure, it's beauty is apparent, but security is top of my list for well-being, along with personal liberty without question. Kind of a Catch 22 though, gotta restrict the personal liberties of some so others are secure, ya know.

Anyway, you lead an interesting life there at the edge of civilization, looking forward to picts and hearing about your adventures. SOW in turn to try to keep you entertained, when you're not enjoying your awe inspiring countryside.

da Reb...Late of Nixon the Un-Majestic's US Conscripted Army, 3rd of Foot Division Band, Wurtzburg Germany