Thistle and Bard

Home
United Kingdom
King's Lynn
Thistle and Bard

Thistle and Bard is the FIRST micro-business to bring you the BEST fantasy items from the WORLD'S FIRST true RPG e-shopping experience!

12/08/2026

Within 48 hours of landing I was in hospital waiting for an emergency surgery 🏥!

On the 5th August I went to the Emergency Unit with the most excruciating pain I have experienced in my life. I was literally screaming in agony!

Why?

Well after a CT Scan it was discovered that I had a 10cm tumor attached to my right o***y and it was squeezing the ovarian tube and blood vessels - Effectively strangling it. I had no idea that I had a tumor and there had been no warning signs.

I was admitted for emergency surgery but despite the best attempts, the o***y could not be saved and both it and the tumor had to be cut out of me. My bloodwork has shown raised levels indicative of Ovarian Cancer. BUT, I won't conclusively know for sure until the biopsy is concluded which will take 4 weeks.

Both my consultant and I were surprised to find the tumor, not to mention our shock at its size. Obviously, this means I haven't been able to work on the upcoming release, send any subscription boxes, or generally do much at all, even sitting is uncomfortable.

The universe seems to be throwing me a lot of curve balls but I will keep everyone updated and I hope I will know enough information soon to announce my coming launch.

I'll be back soon 🤞.

05/08/2026

GenCon 2026 has been truly unforgettable 🤟. To see so many awe-inspiring projects and talents celebrating together was so fantastic.

It's hard to believe a few months ago we wouldn't have even contemplated travelling to the USA let alone attend GenCon. Now, I'm returning inspired, pumped, and more than a little jet-lagged 😆.

I'm looking forward to going again or maybe one of the others - Adepticon anyone...

29/07/2026

This wasn't supposed to happen 😱.

The flight was to Boston and then to Indiana but I didn't consider that the weather would have other ideas...

All flights cancelled and we were marooned in Boston due to THUNDERSTORMS? Well, we weren't going to let rain stop us, so we set off on a 19 HOUR ROAD ADVENTURE. Our quest? To make the city of Indianapolis by sunrise 🤟.

In an epic odyssey, I travelled by road across 5 states, through the night, crossing the Hudson River, passing Niagara Falls (although it was midnight) and through Alapachians (Fallout 4 lovers, if you know you know) in a race worthy of a ring bearer!

And we did it (tired and mainly through spite and determination - also alot of coffee).

Indianapolis we are here!

27/07/2026

The GenCon Diaries start tomorrow... 😱

My anxiety befuddled self made it to the hotel at Heathrow and it's travel day tomorrow. There will probably be alot of posts this week 🤞and maybe a video.

Please remember that I will be 5 hours behind in the USA, so check back often and make sure you ding the bell or smash the thumb. Do the things that make the old algorithm tell you when the next post is up.

Let me know if you're looking forward to these GenCon Diaries - I know I'm terrified 😬 of tomorrow, so wish me luck!

̇nmylife

22/07/2026

I am going to GenCon 😱!

The bags are packed and I leave on Monday for Heathrow and the longest flight (and obviously furthest distance) I have ever been in my life.

As some of you may remember, I took up some work with a Roleplaying Game Manufacturer in September last year and I have the honour (no, there's been some mistake, surely!) of getting a trip to the biggest RPG convention in the world!

So where will you find me?

It's true, I've been hiding a little bit about who I've joined up with. But, I guess there is no hiding it anymore. If you're at Gen Con this year, you can find me at the Modiphius Booth in the main hall where I'll be talking about the new Discworld RPG and a few others.

And before you ask, yes Thistle and Bard is still here. I'm working on it right now and the first wave of samples have been ordered. So, hold onto your hats! I'll be announcing the new season very soon.

27/06/2026

Side quest alert 😖!

Thistle and Bard is not quite ready to reopen just yet *sigh*.

There's always a DIY list when you move but, I feel a little overwhelmed right now!

I'm wrestling with warped laminate boards, had to replumb the waste trap of a washing machine to stop a leak, and I still have a tap that doesn't turn, a toilet that keeps draining it's cistern, a front door that has dropped (and swollen - I didn't even know PVC doors did that), and a wall crack caused by the external temperature that get smaller when it rains and comes back when the sun is out at 30+ °C which honestly, made me feel like I was going mad (I actually got sunburned scouring the external bricks because I thought my house was falling down before I found out it's just sh*t decorators tape and a gap between the plaster boards caused by heat).

And that's not including the hours I've spent unpacking where I can.

Do I feel be demoralised - a little. It's hard not to when every day throws a new DIY project at you and you can't keep up. But, there's no going back now and if other people can deal with these things, so can I.

Right? 😬

15/06/2026

Work has begun 💪!

But this isn't the studio, technically...

If you're stumbling upon me now, here's the short story:

Thistle and Bard had moved to its own location 3 ish years ago but the building owner was selling and effectively last year, we were put on notice. So I made the decision that the universe was telling me it was time to find somewhere permanent not just for my business but for my son and I as well.

And here we are... Almost 1 week in since getting the keys 🥳.

I'm working on my son's bedroom here, BUT I have 3 days before all the furniture and boxes arrive so it's panic mode 😬 to get as much done as possible.

Loving this colour though, and I'm indulging in an unhealthy fascination with power tools 😜. If Thistle and Bard fails, maybe I have a calling as a decorator!

Shall I do some before and afters?

10/06/2026

We have Keys 🗝️!

Thistle and Bard is all packed up and will be moving in over the next few days.

The adventure continues 🥳.

Address

King's Lynn

Website

http://www.thistleandbard.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Thistle and Bard posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Thistle and Bard:

Want your business to be the top-listed Shop in King's Lynn?