Things to Know Before Your Adventure to Japan

Japan is a land of mystery, deeply steeped in its rich culture. It is the most fascinating country I have ever visited—and I’ve traveled all over the world.

Although the Japanese often wear Westernized clothing, they remain deeply immersed in their traditional heritage. The temples and shrines are magnificent, offering a glimpse into the country’s spiritual beauty. The geishas of Kyoto are an unforgettable sight, especially when fully dressed for their appointments, exuding grace and tradition.

The open-air hot springs, known as onsen, are a unique and rejuvenating experience you are sure to enjoy. Japanese cuisine is equally distinctive, offering a delicious array of dishes, from tempura and rice to udon noodles, ramen, fried rice (pilaf), yakitori, and a variety of fried meats and sandwiches.

Japan provides countless experiences to discover and enjoy, from traditional stage plays and sumo wrestling to bustling markets and the world-renowned bullet train. The bullet train, the fastest in the world, can whisk you from Tokyo to Kyoto in just 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The Conduit

This book was conceived to establish a relationship between Freemasonry and the foundation of golf clubs, but my research became much extended, causing me to examine the influence of the military in relation to both. It is well known that both Freemasonry and golf have expanded their tentacles to most parts of the world, and it is the military who have provided the conduit for this expansion. It is to them that we owe the dissemination of golf and Freemasonry around the world. The book covers the history of both over a 300-year period from 1600 to 1900. It was remarkable how often the same names appeared in all three disciplines. Without doubt a relationship has been established and long may it continue.

Poems from a Resurrected Heart

Poems from a Resurrected Heart is an enthralling collection of poems which captures the catharsis of both a loving and lamenting heart. This was written as a journey of healing and moving on from grief to love, spanning five years up to now; crafting it into emotive works of poetry.

In this collection, there are poems to appeal to all audiences ranging from: pure unconventional love, the experiences of the LGBTQ and narratives of society including conservatism and religious influence. With a careful mix of traditional forms, like the metaphysical genre and contemporary free verse, each poem has been intrinsically shaped to address their crux, giving every reader the chance to reflect upon their experiences in light of my own.

The aim of this collection is for emotional self-reflection through the medium of someone whose life experiences may differ to yours, but through the raw, emotional transparency and intelligent poetic craft of this collection, even those most different to me may be brought to tears.

The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is simple: treat others as you would want to be treated.

In 1943 Germany, a senior SS officer shatters that rule by sending an innocent half-Jewish couple to a death camp. Four decades later, he is living in Britain under the guise of a political refugee, secretly working as a spymaster for the Stasi. Meanwhile, in Israel, a determined group is hunting down escaped war criminals, delivering their own form of retribution.

As the past collides with the present, local police detective Richard Buxton, joined by Special Branch and Interpol, must untangle a web of treachery and assassination. But their investigation is hindered at every turn by political interference, making their pursuit of justice all the more dangerous.

The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is simple: treat others as you would want to be treated.

In 1943 Germany, a senior SS officer shatters that rule by sending an innocent half-Jewish couple to a death camp. Four decades later, he is living in Britain under the guise of a political refugee, secretly working as a spymaster for the Stasi. Meanwhile, in Israel, a determined group is hunting down escaped war criminals, delivering their own form of retribution.

As the past collides with the present, local police detective Richard Buxton, joined by Special Branch and Interpol, must untangle a web of treachery and assassination. But their investigation is hindered at every turn by political interference, making their pursuit of justice all the more dangerous.

Pithy Sayings

Contemporary in its accessibility as a prose and poetry collection, this is a poignant and inspired debut collection of poems and aphorisms that build upon one another to create a compelling, tumultuous, and restorative narrative. With a distinct point of view, the authorial voice provides unfiltered and empowering representation, unafraid to tackle the topics that most deeply strike at the core of what it means to be human. The versatile nature of the piece makes the insightful collection relevant to the lives of most if not all of its readers.

Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong

Tour guiding is a well-established part of the entertainment profession. Its practitioners have evolved over the centuries, shifting from street theatre performers to companions for aristocrats exploring the brothels and antiquities of the ancient world.

As time went on, companies like Messrs Thomas Cook & Co employed hundreds of guides worldwide, confirming their place in the tourism industry. Yet, entertainment remains the key to delighting clients and ensuring a good tip.

A Meaningful Life

A MEANINGFUL LIFE is a book about living purposefully and composedly in today’s world of strife, turmoil, uncertainty, and competitive survival. The recognition is that, with a stable, intelligently derived sense of meaning, anyone can weather any storm with courage and composure, or, as stated by Friedrich Nietzsche, “If we have our own why in life, we shall get along with almost any how.”  Without it, today’s youth are burdened by feelings of uncertainty, loneliness, fear, depression, or despair, leaving a hole in the soul they cannot comprehend, far less fill. The consequence is the irresistible attraction to alcohol, drugs, entertainment, reckless sexual encounters, or activities that cause harm to self or others just to escape these feelings or get comfort even, if superficial or fleeting.

Real meaning can only be reached through logic and scientifically sound reasoning, a personal and individually driven exercise. This book uses dialogue that critically examines the nature of self, of theism, and of our physical reality to guide the reader to achieve that objective for themselves or to guide someone in their charge to do so.

It does not offer ten easy answers or twelve rules to follow. It will, instead, dissect science, philosophy, and theology to reach a logical revelation of human existence in a world of perpetual change, showing that we are more than a composite of flesh slated only to survive but a real, though invisible existence, the soul, with a mandate to grow to be the best we can be.

Mon Monde Est Sombre, Mate! (My World Is Dark, Mate!)

I was hoping that gorgeous CIA agent Margarita Gomez would never find out about the deception I had played on her in Türkiye. I feared that if we met up again, the tables would be turned, and I’d be receiving a hefty dose of payback.

I’m Dougay Roberre, an expat Australian living on the French Riviera, where trouble has a knack for finding me, posing questions I foolishly feel compelled to answer.

Why would a stand-over merchant think I needed to buy his special insurance?

Why has the thug, M. Beret, come to visit me with a gun?

Why are those criminal scumbags, Louis Heroux and the Mascati twins, meeting a Brazilian drug lord on top of Piazza Michelangelo in Florence?

If only my crystal ball hadn’t fogged up, I would have told Margarita I was busy that week and couldn’t join her in Italy.

The Gnelfs of Scotland

The Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland are steeped in mystery, but one secret has remained hidden… until now. Discover the enchanting legend of the Gnelfs of Scotland in this magical tale.

Join Duncan and Isabella as they embark on a heartfelt journey to find a new home. Along the way, they face unexpected challenges, but their new lives as Gnelfs bring delightful surprises, enchanting adventures, and a host of wonderful new friends to guide them.

Perhaps these magical friends can become your friends, too.

Fishers of Men

The second instalment in the dramatic new series, The Flavian Trilogy.

Joshua, Maria, and Linus Flavian now determine their destinies. From the Nazirites and the Essenes to the burgeoning fishing industry on the Sea of Galilee, Joshua and his band of followers are led from obscurity to the portals of the Roman Prefect in a movement poised to change the world. Maria of Magdala becomes a part of this movement, and is left with an awesome responsibility. Linus Flavian pits Roman pride and ambition against a Galilean past.

Fishers of Men provides a fascinating commentary on the origins of Christianity that is both challenging and yet plausible, incorporating traditional beliefs, fictitious thoughts, and new controversial interpretations. With vivid prose and compelling characters, Fishers of Men offers a captivating glimpse into the first-century Roman and Judean worlds.

“A provocative new picture of the ‘historical’ Jesus.”
– Kirkus Discoveries, Texas.

“Peter Longley’s unique interpretations of the life of the Messiah, along with his interesting and plausible explanations of miraculous events and his indications that Maria of Magdala played a vital role in the ministry of God’s son, make for a fascinating and intriguing story and increases anticipation for the third and final book in the series.”
– San Francisco and Sacramento Book Reviews, California.

“From the descriptive nature, it is obvious that this author has personal knowledge of these important first-century sites, giving authenticity to his work often missing in Biblical narratives.”
– Beecher, Springfield, Missouri.

Watch Out, He Bites!

Living the quiet life in a grassy paddock on a Yorkshire dairy farm is a small, fuzzy black-and-white Shetland pony, spending his days happily grazing with his even smaller ginger buddy.

From over the rickety dry stone wall, Humbug easily gives the impression of being very sweet – with big dark eyes, long eyelashes, a rounded tummy, a forelock that Tina Turner’s hairdresser would have been proud of, and slightly misshapen legs due to arthritis in his knees.

Nothing in his outward appearance gives even a hint of the chaos he’s caused over the past 20 years or so, but there’s a reason the stone wall is rickety – and it’s only as you look more closely that you realize the ponies are contained within a paddock with four (yes, four!) low strands of electric fencing. The gaps along the top of the stone wall are a testament to Humbug’s escapology pursuits, occasionally aided by large, wet-nosed dairy cows who love a bit of entertainment!

This is the true story of Humbug and his family (human and equine) and the often hilarious exploits and misdeeds that have entertained, frustrated, and exasperated his long-suffering humans.

You’re invited to sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know this charismatic little pony. I hope you appreciate his adventures… but watch out—he bites!

Follow Humbug on X (formerly Twitter): @HumbugAndToby

And on Instagram: @humbug_and_toby

He looks forward to welcoming you there!