I really enjoyed running two games of “Running from Bull Run” at Posh Lard yesterday. Thanks Al, Lewis, and Kev for being such brilliant players!

Warbases horreum being upgraded with 3D printed roof tiles.

Twenty five years after the publication of our book of Blitzkrieg 1940 scenarios for TacWWII, I’ve now got a period appropriate map (actually War Department 1915) and a much better idea of the scope of 3RTR’s clash with 10th Panzer’s rearguard.

My style of basing wargaming miniatures isn’t particularly spectacular but I’ve reached a standard that I’m not happy with so I thought I’d share the technique. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/11/basi...

Just trying to get my head around an Operation Bagration scenario in an old copy of WSS magazine. There are few things quite as annoying as reading that an attack took place between obscure places A and B, neither of which is on the map accompanying the article!

I’ve created a possible use for Bad Squiddo’s “The Seer”model in Gangs of Rome. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/10/more...

My modules for the outskirts of Coquelles in 1940. Intended for when I run The Road to St Omer at Joy of Six 2026.

This morning’s trip to Fiasco saw me acquire a new character figure that I reckon can be made to fit Gangs of Rome.

Marcus Didius Falco-themed Pulp Alley game by the Sally 4th guys at Fiasco today. Most inspiring!

Two of the great dragons of Napoleonic wargaming. At Patriot Games, Sheffield this afternoon.

Do we know if any of the traders at Fiasco this weekend carry Eureka miniatures?

Setting out to teach myself Infamy Infamy. I’m not sure whether being so well-versed in Sharp Practice is an advantage or is hampering me. #SpreadTheLard

German slingers - converted from Wargames Factory with green stuff and bits from the Gripping Beast Dark Age Warriors.

Any game set in the 19th century Russian Empire needs a distantsionyy stolb. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/10/do-y...

Not a bad haul from the charity shops of York yesterday.

My Steel Lard report is up at The Land Of Counterpane blog. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/10/stee...

A pair of Barnsley reprobates attempting to rally the routing Union army after First Bull Run.

A more considered report will follow but in the immediate aftermath I’d just like to thank game-runners, players and Patriots Hames staff for a terrific Steel Lard today. #SpreadTheLard

Inspiration eh? Bloody hell! It’s Steel Lard tomorrow and my mind should be focused on ‘Running from Bull Run’ but this afternoon I’ve gone out to walk the dog and come back with the more-or-less-complete structure of next year’s game worked out in my mind!

I’ve created a blog post about how I made a load of markers for 6mm scale games. It’s specifically for TacWWII but may have some utility for players of other systems. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/10/home...

Woohoo! My new, personalised Steel Lard polo shirt has arrived from @glenbrookgames.bsky.social Thanks Matt!

Write up and pics of my last pre-Steel Lard test session can be found here: thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/10/runn...

The bridge over Cub Run comes under Confederate artillery fire.

It’s the feared Black Horse Cavalry!

Members of Congress observe the Union rout.

It’s just a week until Steel Lard. This is probably the final play-test of “Running from Bull Run”. #SpreadTheLard

A feature of First Bull Run was the presence of parties of civilians who went out to watch the battle. Several members of Congress were caught up in the retreat. I needed a Deployment Point for my own retreating senators so here’s their picnic blanket.

Union stretcher bearers and hospital steward for “Running from Bull Run” at Steel Lard.

Union ambulance and stretcher bearers under way.

1st Corps having delivered, I’ve increased the amount of discarded equipment I can strew alongside the Warrenton Pike.

I have a rather nice plait of fog for sale. You can find it at the sign of the wall-nailed-jelly. Be careful though; it’s guarded by a very well-trained herd of cats. In other news, allocation of players to Steel Lard games is complete. #SpreadTheLard

Nailing jelly to the wall, plaiting fog, herding cats, and allocating Lardy Day players to their preferred game sessions; all stress-inducing! #SpreadTheLard

My first attempts at creating abandoned stores an discarded personal equipment to be strewn along the Warrenton Pike in my Running from Bull Run game at Steel Lard.

Some places for players attending Steel Lard (11th October at Patriot Games in Sheffield) have become available. If you’re interested in attending please let me know.

Inspired by the terrific terrain at Ebor Lard, I’ve been straight on to First Corps to order some ACW scatter for “Running From Bull Run” at Steel Lard next month.

When the company’s trumpeter interrupts your game of chess it’s probably time to fight the Russians. Sharp Practice Deployment Point for the 1812 campaign.

Our first game of Gangs of Rome is now written up at the Land of Counterpane blog: thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-...

Ancient Roman manhole covers play a part in the first two Marcus Didius Falco books and I’ve been thinking of how to use them in Gangs of Rome. A bit of Googling gave me three designs which I was able to design with Tinkercad and 3D print.

Thought I’d share some pictures from my trip to Arbeia, the Roman fort at South Shields. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/08/no-f...

Write up of this weekend’s assault on Hachigata castle now available on The Land of Counterpane blog. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/08/hach...

Our Siege of Hachigata 1568 campaign (using The Pikeman’s Lament) came to a climax today. The Takeda failed to take the place but Takeda Mochinaga and Honda Gozaemon return to Takeda territory with much enhanced reputations.

A few early Cold War jets added to my 1/300th collection: thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/08/some...

At a factory in Lincoln,1916. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/08/a-vi...

I think the Hovels Japanese gateway works reasonably well as Roman.

“Scarper, it’s the filth!” Vigiles Urbani for Gangs of Rome - Wargames Atlantic with Warlord heads.

Just spent an hour combing the workshop floor for this bit of Airfix Mk1 Tank kit!

My photo report on Joy of Six is up on The Land of Counterpane. It’s not complete as I was too busy running Operation Vijay to make sure I photographed every game. Apologies if I missed yours. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/07/joy-...

Great fun at Joy of Six today. It was great to chat with so many who showed interest in the Operation Vijay game.

I’ve built a Fairey Seafox; my first Matchbox aircraft kit in many a decade! thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/07/seaf...

I’ve now posted the AAR for my Mutanchiang game. August 1945 in Manchuria, 6mm scale, TacWWII rules. thelandofcounterpane.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-...