Next month I've somehow found myself part of this insanity. It means me doing 492 rope climbs in 22 hours. I'm old and have only three fully functioning limbs ... It would be most kind if you'd donate even a quid towards this for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Thanks. www.justgiving.com/page/kevin-m...

Trump's global strategy makes sense to me now. He's been playing Risk. It's obvious if you want to hold America you need Alaska, Greenland and Mexico. He has Alaska. Greenland is the next step. ctd...

The perfidious English. Hugh Jarce, Richard d'Astardley, Simon Seys and Thomas Ffoule. Four old-fashioned English gentlemen for With Flashing Blades. Figures by @bloodyminiatures.bsky.social

Echorcheurs has arrived @historianinharness.bsky.social #ecorcheurs

We’ve just had a couple of late cancellations for our lard day near Southampton this Saturday. We had a good reserve list but we’ve cleared out the subs bench. If you fancy coming along let me know. First come first served!

Winter Wonder Lard VI is SOLD OUT! If you missed out we do operate a reserve list in case anyone drops out (there are usually one or two), to get on the list email [email protected]... #SpreadTheLard

There has been a rush on tickets this weekend and there are only a few left - so if you are planning to come to Winter Wonder Lard VI and have not bought your ticket yet don't delay to avoid disappointment... #SpreadTheLard

I've been playing the splendidly brutal and unforgiving (no reloading previous saves) Mordheim computer game recently. Recently my leader encountered this disgusting, corrupted fleshy mass and for some reason I thought of you @jaje7406.bsky.social.

Remembrance day workout. Mile run. 100 pull ups. 200 push ups. 300 squats. Mile run. All wearing a 9kg vest. 78 minutes including 2 mins stop for 11 o'clock silence. Not too bad for a geriatric.

@roundwoodsworld.bsky.social, this is probably the definitive take on 'why they didn't take the eagles'. youtu.be/I3g6mFI4Fug?...

Oddcast alert #spreadthelard directory.libsyn.com/episode/inde...

No new pictures, where are you mentally

WE ARE LIVE! Back us now. Rules, icon dice, tokens, and retinues are all available. Backers will receive The exclusive 'Combat of the Thirty' scenario. www.kickstarter.com/projects/gri...

Even though (doubtless due to some terrible oversight), no Douglas retinue is included in this Kickstarter, you should back it immediately! www.kickstarter.com/projects/gri...

Gongolfin slays the balrog and wins the first game of Middle-earth Midgard at Ebor Lard this morning. #spreadthelard

But not the Minas Tirith most people are thinking of... #notGondor

Battle of Five Armies: here’s my video of the game using Midgard Heroic Battles that we put on at the Colours show. A great day out! #wargaming #miniatures #nerdlings #midgardheroicbattles #spreadthelard #tolkien #thehobbit #middleearth #battleoffivearmies #lordoftherings youtu.be/RO-GZVdcx-c?...

The Kickstarter for Écorcheurs! is now LIVE! There's an exclusive scenario to reward backers: The Combat of the Thirty, 1351. One of the most famous chivalric deeds of arms of the 100 Years War. Backing launches on Sept 18th but register now to stay up to date. www.kickstarter.com/projects/gri...

Human artists of Earth (and @jaje7406.bsky.social), use a photo of tiny painted toy soldiers to convince people to follow you

Tepidplay

This came up in my timeline on FB. I knew Tim a bit a couple of decades ago. A route called The Power of Lard is a bit of a coincidence. A neighbouring route being called The Tom Egan Memorial Route seems too much of a coincidence! Be carefukl on that ferry @tomjmegan.bsky.social! #spreadthelard

The elven host that will appear in my Midgard: Heroic Battles in Middle-earth game at Ebor Lard in September. #spreadthelard #midgard

Anyone want 4 bases of elves with 2 separate leaders? Units on 12cmx6cm for #Midgard. Resin, so be a bit careful of the arrows. A decent paint job, if I say so myself. Over enthusiasm means I have more than I need. The cost of the raw figures was about £60. Please DM any sensible offers. UK only.

4 games of Gallipoli action this weekend with @andycrow.bsky.social and others. The RND managed to get a foothold in Ottoman trenches, fought off a counter-attack, battled to take the second line, then narrowly held off a massive Turkish attack. 2 RND and 3 Turkish platoons wrecked. #spreadthelard

Congratulations @jstcallmegloves.bsky.social! Off to Lard Island

10 authors I have read more than five books by: Ian Banks John le Carré Len Deighton Ian Banks Mick Herron George MacDonald Fraser Patrick O'Brian Arturo Pérez-Reverte Phillip Pullman Adrian Tchaikovsky

Lt Johnson gets across to rally the broken section that was isolated on the left. It's important not to have Broken units at the game end. Leaving a corporal and 2 men to guard prisoners, Mallinson mops up a few more Turks. An Initiative Dice ends the turn at the end of the next phase #spreadthelard

More Turks arrive to try and stop a deeper penetration into their lines. Some grenades are thrown. The Aussies throw one back. One casualty on each side. Losses so far: Australians 2 NCOs, 23 men Ottomans 1 NCO, 24 men #spreadthelard

In a stupendous turnaround in fortunes, and aided by a Grenade Volley random event, Cpt Mallinson leads his men into the Ottoman trenches. He captures 4 Turks, including a cavus (sgt). Ottoman morale plummets. Finally the ANZAC MGs begin trying to suppress their Turkish counterparts #spreadthelard

Cpt Mallinson has steadied the Pinned section. The Bombers have exchanged grenades with the Turks and come off much better in the exchange. Sgt McIntosh gets his men to start building sandbag barricades #spreadthelard

A truly terrible command roll for the Turks (5,5,3,3,3 - no Junior Leaders in the sections really hurts) sees them concentrate their frustration on Lt Johnson. The remnants of the men about him are cut down, only he remains on his feet. Elsewhere a Turk fumbles his grenade, killing two of his mates

More grenades (excellent double phase) from the Aussies and the Turks on the right flank look in trouble. Have the tables turned? An Initiative Dice has allowed the Aussies to move a Deployment Point into the Ottoman Trench where it is protected by McIntosh's men. #spreasthelard.

Aided by a random event, Cpt Mallinson and Pvt Green reach the section pinned down in front of the Ottoman trenches. The Bombing Section and the section under Sgt McIntosh's command throw a flurry of jam-tin grenades, wreaking havoc amongst the Turkish defenders. #spreadthelard

Sgt McIntosh gains the Turkish trench just before Ottoman reinforcements arrive. A Turkish grenade kills one Aussie. On the other flank, Cpl Higgins is shot, leaving his isolated section leaderless in no man's land. #spreadthelard

Johnson steadies his men. Cpt Mallinson jumps out of the Australian trenches and hauls a shaken Pvt Green to his feet. Sgt Macintosh leads the reserve section forwards, hoping to reach the as yet undefended end of the Turkish lines. #spreadthelard

The Turkish MGs have absolutely torn up the middle of the Australian attack. Lt Johnson will need to rally the few survivors quickly because the Ottomans have ended the Turn (unlike CoC, the turn will end at the end of the following phase)

Cpl Smith seizes the initiative (uses an Initiative Dice) in an attempt to get into the opposing trenches. But his men are thrown back and go to ground in no man's land. #soreadthelard

A truly dreadful series of Turn ends sees 6 Platoon in a desperate position. Their barrage has lifted and naval shells have stopped hitting the Ottoman rear lines. 9 men have fallen to Turkish MG and rifle fire. Corporal Higgins is wounded. The Turks have a double phase ... #spreadthelard

The Ottomans under their platoon commander Zabit Vekili Suphi have the following supports: Trench Guides a sniper 2 MG Teams 2 Guns a Ranking Officer (the MGs, guns and sniper are all off-table assets, which is also true for the Australian MG and artillery supports).

No. 6 Platoon, B Company under Lt. 'Mitch' Johnson have the following supports: All 4 sections equipped with Jam-Tin Grenades Trench Guides 2 Turns of Naval Bombardment Googly Balls A Ranking Officer A Shrapnel Barrage 2 Bomber Sections 2 10-pdr Guns 2 Vickers MGs An Initiative Dice

The paraphernelia of war. Morale Trackers by @sabotag3d.bsky.social. Status markers and Shock markers by @warbases.bsky.social. Orders and Initiative Dice (Command Dice and Chain of Command Dice in CoC terms) by @toofatlardies.bsky.social. #spreadthelard

Ottoman Trench system using Kallistra hex based moulded terrain. Not as modular as it could be, but some thought gives a decent enough layout. In reality most Ottoman trenches were not as neat and were often more maze like. But for wargames purposes it'll work with some prettying up #spreadthelard

And a section of Australians for Gallipoli, 1915. These chaps can be given jam-tin grenades as a Support option and one of their officers or sergeants may have Googly Balls - making him an accomplished cricketer with much increased accuracy. #spreadthelard

Australian MG Teams and Sikh mountain guns for Gallipoli 1915. The mountain guns are 3d prints designed and printedby Rich Humble. #spreadthelard

And the Ottoman platoon. 81 strong. Sadly for many wargamers of an older disposition and with short arms and long pockets, at Gallipoli, Ottoman platoons were committed at full strength (81 men!) and had regular replacements. The sick old man was surprisingly modern and efficient... #spreadthelard

Time for some more Gallipoli gaming using (heavily modified) Chain of Command. 1915, so no cheating with squad MGs. Just honest grit, jam-tin grenading and bayonet charges. Ottoman DPs and supports: Gun Teams, MG Teams, Ranking Officer, Imam, Ranking NCO, Child Bombers. #spreadthelard

Lieutenant Crump (a genuine name of an officer in the battery) commands a division of Maude's Battery, R.A. He's assisted by Sergeant Boome and has two 9-pdr guns under his control. The road to Lucknow, July 1857. #spreadthelard

Why is this not required daily viewing in every nursery and reception class?

Lieutenant William Sillie, Colour-Sergeant MacAroon and Piper MacScreach lead No. 3 Company of the 78th Highlanders on the road to Lucknow, 1857. Again, painted by Mr @jennyturner1971.bsky.social. #spreadthelard

Lieutenant Damson Duff commands a detachment of the light company of the 78th Highlanders on the road to Lucknow, July 1857. Painted by Mr @jennyturner1971.bsky.social. #spreadthelard