New Year’s Rituals – Queuing at a Shrine (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #Kamakura #Kanagawa #ZeniaraiBenten #Shinto #Shrine #Religion #Rituals #NewYear hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/05/03/n...

Great Japanese Railway Journeys #GreatJapaneseRailwayJourneys #Japan #Railways #Shinkansen #MichaelPortillo #BulletTrain #Travel #Tourism hoodcp.wordpress.com/2026/05/06/g...

A journalist and photographer become caught up in the case of a missing athlete at the #TokyoOlympics. Read "Tokyo 20/20 Vision" to find out what happens in this dramatic story. #Novel #Olympics #Tokyo2020 #2020Vision #Fiction #Thriller books2read.com/u/meWXaZ

Favourite Photos: Bathing Macaques (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #FavouritePhoto #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #Nagano #Jigokudani #JigokudaniYaenKoen #SnowMonkeyPark #Macaque #Monkey hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/04/12/f...

I'm planning to visit Japan for a few weeks in October/November (and possibly January 2027). If anyone would like me to come and speak at their university or institution, drop me a line. As I'm no longer fully employed, I will need expenses covered and/or a fee, I'm afraid. See also wp.me/p70bQg-4NX

I will be speaking at the Japan-Scotland Community Cultural Festival 2026 on Saturday 18 July at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries. I will be giving two presentations; ‘Travelling Japan’ and ‘The Shinkansen – More Than Just a Bullet Train’. hoodcp.wordpress.com/2026/05/05/j...

The plan was to travel around #Japan and write a book. But fate had another path for the photo-journalist Iwakura and reporter friend, Eri. #Thriller #Adventure #Book #Novel #Crime See books2read.com/u/4XywA9

Favourite Photos: Contents Tourism in the Skies – Pokemon (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #FavouritePhoto #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #Fukuoka #Skymark #Pokemon #Airplane #FukuokaAirport #FUK hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/04/18/f...

Favourite Photos: Contents Tourism in the Skies – Star Wars (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #FavouritePhoto #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #Tokyo #Haneda #Planes #ContentsTourism #StarWars #MayTheFourth #MayThe4thBeWithYou #ANA hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/05/04/f...

A few more Liverpool sights. And although I support Sheffield United and have done for over 35 years, Kenny Dalglish is still my favourite player ever (I was a glory-hunting Liverpool supporter as a kid)

There's always live music on in Liverpool - especially on Mathew Street. My first time to go to the Monday Club at the Cavern Pub, where each act gets to do 1 or 2 songs (or poems). One guy was from Shrewsbury... don't worry, it wasn't me, I'd have got thrown out if I tried singing 😂

Other ships on the Mersey And shipping history - the departure point for the Welsh who went to Patagonia

I don't know how many times I saw the Ferry Cross the Mersey when I looked up from my computer as I was writing. Every time it put a smile on my face. The view was beautiful and inspiring as it was, but the Ferry just takes it to another level.

The view from the flat I stayed in for a couple of days in Liverpool. Where I was able to get so much writing done (and apply for REBECCA tickets 😂)

Go Wildlife Go sculpture in Liverpool. This was right outside the building I was staying in.

I'm currently sitting in the sun outside Liverpool Lime Street until it's time to go and get my train. To get here I had to take, what seems to be the only road in Britain which doesn't have a sign. Which is a shame as it's a good name 😉

A writing update. The difference between how I got on in Japan, Sweden, Cardiff, and Liverpool across 3 of my books (words per day): Japan: 1070, 436, 369 Sweden: 1033, 522, 1028 Cardiff: 65, 104, 40 Liverpool: 1290, 917, 972

I'm currently looking for a literary agent to work with. If you are one, or know of one, who would be interested in working with me, please drop me a line. I'm an author of both fiction and non-fiction. You can find out more about my books at tiny.cc/HoodCP

Favourite Photos: Ichinokurasawa and Mount Tanigawa (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #FavouritePhoto #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #MountTanigawa #Gunma #Tanigawa #ContentsTourism #ClimbersHigh #HideoYokoyama #JAL123 #JL123 hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/04/15/f...

Today is the anniversary of Kan’Etsu Bus Crash. #RIP #KanEtsuBusCrash #KanEtsu #BusCrash #Memorialisation #DarkTourism #OTD #Fujioka #Gunma #Japan #関越自動車道高速バス交通事故 #関越自動車道高速バス居眠り運転事故 #OnThisDay #Research #Bus #Coach hoodcp.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/k...

After some fun and games with my mobile, I've finally managed to apply for tickets to see REBECCA for their tour in Autumn 2026/Winter 2027. Fingers crossed at least one of the applications (there's a lottery) is successful 🤞®️ #REBECCA #レベッカ

Favourite Photos: Doai Station (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #FavouritePhoto #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Doai #DoaiStation #Gunma #Tanigawa #ContentsTourism #ClimbersHigh #HideoYokoyama #JAL123 #JL123 hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/04/26/f...

The view from the other side of the train this time of the area where I grew up...

Got off the hook with my episode of Great Japanese Railway Journeys - they didn't include the bit where Michael teased me. It was quite a nice little segment - but I was speaking too fast 😢 #GreatJapanessRailwayJourneys #Japan #Railways

Hello Kitty Shinkansen Seats (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #HelloKitty #Sanrio #Shinkansen #JRWest #Kawaii #Cute #BulletTrain hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/05/07/h...

The benefit of the M4 being shut when trying to get from London to Bath... #Stonehenge

Today is the anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster. I remember the event, and also came across a protest about it during my first visit to Ukraine in 1998. My thoughts are with all those impacted by what happened in 1986. #Chernobyl #Ukraine #OnThisDay #OTD wp.me/p70bQg-2gL

Today is the anniversary of the China Airlines Flight CI140 crash. #RIP #ChinaAirlines #CI140 #planecrash #accident #memorialisation #Japan #OnThisDay #OTD #darktourism #Nagoya #bereavement #中華航空機墜落事 #やすらぎの園 #中華航空140便墜落事故 hoodcp.wordpress.com/2020/04/24/t...

Today is the anniversary of the Fukuchiyama Line Derailment. #RIP #FukuchiyamaLine #Derailment #Amagasaki #TrainCrash #Japan #Osaka #DarkTourism #Memorialisation #Japan #Fukuchiyama #福知山線脱線事故 #OnThisDay #OTD wp.me/p70bQg-39i

2026年7月1日 『GOLDEN☆BEST REBECCA』 レベッカ ((株)ソニー・ミュージックダイレクト) [Music] https://sinkan.net/?ean=4547366820034&action_item=true #新刊情報 #sinkan

You know when you're in Britain, when you're on a station platform and the announcement is prattling on about "See it. Say it. Sort it." but don't actually mention there's a train approaching or where it's going to 😂

This is basically the view I woke up to for most of my childhood. The beautiful Caradoc in Shropshire. I don't remember there being sunshine back then 😉😂 #Caradoc #Shropshire #AllStretton #ChurchStretton

Hello Kitty Shinkansen Food Motifs (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #HelloKitty #Sanrio #Shinkansen #JRWest #Kawaii #Cute #BulletTrain #Takoyaki #Osaka #Hyogo #Baguette hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/04/30/h...

Wearing a T-shirt and being in the sun for 4.5 hours today has added an extra dimension to my Jaws/Zom 100 hybrid shark tattoo 😂 #Jaws #Zom100

It may have been an adventure getting here, but it was definitely worthwhile. T'Pau were amazing. Carol Decker's vocals continue to be so powerful. Great to hear many tracks from the brilliant new album (wish they did "Say Something" tho) as well as the classics. Extra special being in Shrewsbury.

So far, today hasn't gone exactly to plan. Was driving to Shropshire, hoping to go for a walk up a hill, The Lawley, that, for some reason, I've never been up, then on to Shrewsbury for a concert. Just south of Hereford, the car broke down. I fear it could be terminal.

Facebook memories this morning: proud firefighter who’s just rescued a cat that was stuck between two walls. And the cat

Favourite Photos: Hello Kitty Shinkansen (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #FavouritePhoto #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #HelloKitty #Sanrio #Shinkansen #JRWest #Kawaii #Cute #BulletTrain hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/04/24/f...

Favourite Photos: Space Pressures (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #Tokyo #Photography #SpacePressures #Fishing #Nature #CityLiving #Urban #UrbanLife #ChuoLine #Ichigaya #Ochanomizu hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/03/20/f...

On this day ten years ago, I walked the Yamanote Line. Last year I cycled it and walked it again. I suspect this will be topical again next week😉 #Tokyo #Japan #Yamanote #YamanoteLine #Walking #Photography #Memories #OnThisDay #OTD #GreatJapaneseRailwayJourneys hoodcp.wordpress.com/2020/04/22/w...

The collapse of UK universities isn’t inevitable, it’s a political choice Other countries manage; here, government is actively burning higher education to the ground We’re reaching the end of accessible, nationwide research & teaching — and those in power barely care

Space Pressures at Home (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #JapanTheBasics #Tokyo #House #Tatami #Itabashi #NakaItabashi #HijackingJapan hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/03/28/s...

Fingers crossed that I can get at least one ticket again. #REBECCA #レベッカ

Favourite Photos: Space Pressures – Cat Cafe (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #FavouritePhoto #JapanTheBasics #Tokyo #CatCafe #Cats hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/03/25/f...

I finally went to see a Severn Bore today. Having gone to school in Shrewsbury, I grew up hearing about this phenomenon. I always told my students how the Bore is a proper tidal wave, unlike a tsunami. But I never appreciated how tsunami-like it would be. And today's was only a 2/5 in terms of size.

If you've not already got your hands on a copy of "Radio One Sessions 1982-1983" by FU-TH, you need to. This album finally blows away the myth that Trevor Horn made Frankie (FGTH). Added some polish maybe. But this is a complete album and shows Frankie were the real deal already. #FGTH #RSD2026

Favourite Photos: The Shibuya Scramble Crossing (Photo in “Japan: The Basics” (2nd Edition)) #Japan #FavouritePhoto #JapanTheBasics #Photography #Symbolism #Tokyo #Shibuya #ShibuyaScrambleCrossing #ContentsTourism #AliceInBorderland hoodcp.wordpress.com/2024/04/22/f...

After queuing for 8.5 hours, I managed to get what I wanted on Record Store Day - "Radio One Sessions 1982-1983" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. This is such a great LP. You can hear how developed the songs already were before signing for ZTT, & that everyone can play their instruments brilliantly.

Arrived about 90 minutes earlier than last year, but ended up in exactly the same place for the queue for Record Store Day. Fingers crossed I get what I'm after.

I really enjoyed listening to this podcast episode in which one of my former students, Alejandra Escamilla Sanchez, is interviewed about language learning. #EnglishWithKirsty pca.st/episode/bc8e...