Time for Tea?

[Big Mike]

With the higher temperatures of summer my thoughts to turn to tea. Well, tea bags actually.
I use this time of year to produce some free scenic scatter from dried tea-bags. Not a topic to set the pulse racing I know, but here goes.

Simply collect used tea bags and dry them in the sun (a warm room will do).
When dry, rip them open and collect the tea-leaves in a tray or similar and allow more drying time.
On a sunny day this takes a couple of hours.
When the tea-leaves are fully dry, remove any paper shreds and store in a sealable container or plastic bag.
Your then have a source of dark brown scenic material that can be glued on bases and sealed with varnish etc.

I used this idea when I had a small hobby business but for my current wargaming needs just a week of collecting tea-bags gives me a years supply.

Of course you can use an oven or radiator top to dry them when the sun disappears but now is the time for a free harvest.

Mike   

   

[Stewart 46A]

Very interesting Mike, any brand? I normal drink Yorkshire tea as I find it a bit stronger than other brands

Stewart

[Colonel Kilgore]

Good point Stewart. I was thinking green tea for Japanese though.

No doubt Mike has used some, er, hebal varieties for his Dutch troops? 

Simon

[Leman (Andy)]

You can't whack a nice cup of Grunnegar Wadd'n!

[Big Mike]

i'll get my coat...

[Colonel Kilgore]

i'll get my coat...

That's the problem with this Forum, Mike - folk never take good guidance seriously 

Simon

[martin goddard]

Very good idea Mike. 
Makes scenic sense.
However I only use 1 tea bag per year, so will wait a bit longer.


martin

[Big Mike]

Where's that taxi I ordered....

[Leslie BT]

Mike I have used tea and coffee grounds for years.  Great materials and with the current trend for green credentials are important as well.

[Leman (Andy)]

For years I used sand out of the Science technicians' fire bucket. Also, alder cones make great 6mm trees or 15mm bushes. I also used split lentils as 6mm hoplite shields. Some apple stems make good blasted WWI trees. My current under-fleece hills come from an old discarded foam mattress.