Visiting Southport on a warm, sunny day, after a walk along the front, it was a nice break to visit the Atkinson Art Gallery.
Not knowing what to expect we were faced  with the Sefton Open Exhibition.  This proved to be an interesting interpretation of an open exhibition as most of it was sectioned off into a series of sections, linked to the many groups around the area. With most opens I have visited artists submit their work and are then selected. Here the groups were all given an area for their own members. 
Having visited the gallery in the past it was surprising to see how many groups were represented and the amount of rooms used. There was a full range of abilities on show, and it was interesting to see the superb abilities of so many artists and such a wide range of subject matter.

​Below are just a few of the groups represented in the exhibition.

A fascinating exhibition and well worth a visit.

A few months ago I was accepted for an online art exhibition. As part of this I received a critique from the organizer but when I read it I realised the first three paragraphs were generated by AI and only the last paragraph, written by the organizer  felt correct. Recently it seems AI is becoming the norm and with a little free time on my hands I decided to have a play with it.
                        First I asked it to describe one of my paintings. Here are the results:

This painting portrays a narrow, gritty alleyway flanked by high brick walls on both sides. The perspective draws the viewer's eye down the alley, creating a sense of depth and confinement. The bricks are rendered in a range of earthy tones—orange, red, brown, and weathered gray—giving the walls a worn, urban feel. On the left, the bricks appear older and more deteriorated, with white paint or plaster fading and chipping away. The right wall is more intact but shows signs of age and grime.

Scattered debris lines the stone-paved alley floor, enhancing the sense of neglect. The alley leads to a hazy, distant background where the shapes of more buildings loom through the mist or fog, adding a melancholic or nostalgic atmosphere.

The style is realistic with expressive brushwork, capturing the texture of bricks and urban decay. Overall, the piece evokes feelings of isolation, nostalgia, or the beauty in forgotten, overlooked places. It has a quiet, contemplative mood—almost cinematic in its composition.

​This painting captures a narrow alleyway nestled between brick buildings. The perspective draws your eye down the length of the alley, which appears to be paved with stone or concrete slabs.
The brickwork on either side displays a variety of colors, ranging from warm oranges and reds to cooler grays and muted blues, suggesting weathering and age. The wall on the left shows more signs of wear and tear, with loose bricks and debris scattered at its base. A pipe runs along this wall.
The wall on the right is more uniformly colored in warmer tones and is topped with a wire fence. Hints of greenery sprout along the base of both walls, adding a touch of life to the otherwise urban scene.
In the distance, the alleyway opens slightly, revealing a hazy, lighter area, perhaps indicating another street or an open space. The overall atmosphere of the painting is somewhat muted and industrial, yet the textures of the brick and the subtle variations in light and shadow add depth and visual interest.
 

​This painting pulls you right into the narrow confines of a back alley, doesn't it? The artist has really captured that feeling of being enclosed by the towering brick walls on either side.
 
What strikes me first is the contrast in the textures and colours of the brickwork. On the left, the wall seems older, weathered, almost decaying, with patches of white and grey suggesting dampness or perhaps even remnants of old plaster. The bricks themselves are a mix of muted browns and greys, hinting at a long history.
 
In contrast, the wall on the right is a vibrant, almost fiery orange-red. The mortar lines are more distinct, and the bricks appear more uniform, giving it a sense of solidity and perhaps a more recent construction. This juxtaposition of the old and the seemingly newer creates an interesting visual dynamic and a sense of the passage of time.
 
The perspective is quite effective in drawing the viewer's eye down the alleyway. The converging lines of the walls and the slightly visible path suggest a journey into the unknown depths of the urban landscape. The light seems to be filtering in from somewhere beyond the frame, casting subtle shadows and highlighting the textures of the brick. There's a touch of mystery in not knowing what lies at the end of this passage.
 
The artist's brushstrokes appear somewhat loose and expressive, particularly in the rendering of the left wall, which adds to the feeling of decay and age. The details are not overly defined, allowing the viewer's imagination to fill in the gaps and create their own narrative about this space.
 
Overall, the painting evokes a sense of urban solitude and the hidden spaces that exist within a city. It makes you wonder about the stories these walls could tell and the lives that might have passed through this narrow passage. It's a compelling glimpse into a less glamorous but nonetheless real aspect of the urban environment.

​This painting evokes a palpable sense of confinement and history, doesn't it? The narrow alleyway, flanked by weathered brick walls, draws the eye into the distance, creating a strong sense of perspective and depth. The artist has skilfully captured the texture of the aged bricks, with their varied hues of orange, brown, and even hints of blue and grey, suggesting years of exposure to the elements. The cobblestone path underfoot appears damp, reflecting the muted light filtering down from above, adding to the somewhat melancholic yet intriguing atmosphere.
 
The composition, with its converging lines and the suggestion of a hidden space beyond, reminds me of the atmospheric urban landscapes of Camille Pissarro, particularly his depictions of narrow Parisian streets. Like Pissarro, this artist focuses on the everyday, finding beauty and interest in the often-overlooked corners of a city. However, where Pissarro often employed a more Impressionistic, broken brushstroke to capture light and movement, this painting exhibits a more deliberate and perhaps slightly more textured application of paint.
 
One could also draw a parallel to the evocative alleyway scenes painted by John Atkinson Grimshaw, known for his nocturnal cityscapes bathed in moonlight. While this painting is clearly not a nocturne, it shares a similar ability to create a distinct mood through the interplay of light and shadow within an urban setting. The muted tones and the way the light catches the edges of the buildings create a sense of quietude, much like Grimshaw's lamplit streets.
 
Furthermore, the focus on architectural detail and the feeling of being enclosed within the urban fabric echoes some of the urban studies of early 20th-century American artists like Edward Hopper, although Hopper's work often carries a stronger sense of isolation and psychological weight. Here, while there's a certain stillness, there isn't the same overt sense of alienation. Instead, there's a feeling of history embedded within the very stones.
 
In essence, this painting successfully captures a specific atmosphere and perspective, inviting the viewer to contemplate the stories held within this narrow passage. While it shares thematic and compositional elements with artists like Pissarro, Grimshaw, and to a lesser extent Hopper, it possesses its own distinct character in its rendering of texture and light.

An interesting experiment and I think it shows how much AI has progressed in a few months. Quite scary really!

Arriving in Osaka, we were determined to get to the town centre and soon set off to the underground train system, which in this case once we had worked out how to use the ticket machine, was quite easy.
We soon arrived in the town centre and had an enjoyable walk around this fascinating area, with its bright neon signs and giant advertising sculptures. We even had time for a short river cruise where we had an interesting view of the shops etc. The guide, who spoke in Japanese would keep holding up boards with the explanation written in English and even joked with us.
On the Ebisubashi  bridge, people were copying the pose for an advertisement called  the Glico running man, which is located nearby. Sue, after a few hilarious attempts, managed to copy this without falling over.

An impressive area and a shame we couldn't stay for the night as when lit up, it becomes even more impressive.

Getting up the next day, we were just sailing into Shimizu Port and from our window we could see Mt. Fuji in the distance. At first, this was covered by cloud but by the time we docked the clouds had cleared and we had a superb view of the impressive site. I even had a chance to capture the image for a digital drawing.

Having had a busy few days, and as this was our last port of call, we decided to just explore the port area. Although this was meant to be a sight seeing holiday, the clothes shops here were so  well stocked with reasonably priced clothing , we could have filled a suitcases. If we ever come to Japan again, we decided to bring one case empty just to fill with new purchases! 
Moving on to the seafront, there was an interesting market selling local crafts etc. After a leisurely stroll,
​ it was back to the ship to start our packing after a fantastic few days exploring so many different ports of call.

When arriving or departing from every port, we had several different local ceremonies to enjoy such as singers etc. Here we were met with four people waving large flags to welcome us. As the morning progressed, this eventually became one flag being waved as the men took it in turns, because the size and weight must have become hard for them  to keep up. 
​(Digital Drawing done on the iPad of one of the flag wavers)

Catching the shuttle into the town, as we went to cross the main road we encountered another feature we had seen all around Japan; the men in uniform with an orange stick. We weren't always sure why so many were needed at times. Their main task was to warn traffic or guard building sites. It seemed at times that it was a case of job creation for slightly older members of the society, as they could be stood for hours with little to do. In this case it was to check our safety as we used the crossing. Oddly enough, he was on the far side from the way the traffic was coming! In towns some of the workers even had orange sticks that lit up.

​​(Digital Drawing done on the iPad )
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Having safely crossed the road, we made our way to the park containing Kochi Castle.

Constructed at the beginning of the 17th century, Kochi’s castle is the only one in Japan where the original castle tower and main keep remain intact. After centuries of surviving wars, fires, and other catastrophes, it is one of the last twelve original castles in Japan, and is designated an Important National Cultural Property. Keep an eye out for all of the intricate details of the castle architecture, like the statues of the legendary Sachi sea creatures (half fish, half dragon), gazing down on the city from the roof.

On arriving at the castle, we had to remove our shoes before entering. As we climbed higher in the building. we read the information telling us the history of the building. We also had some superb views, especially from the very top windows. The steps going up were very steep and this wasn't helped by us just wearing socks. Coming down was a real experience! It was a matter of coming down backwards and hanging on to the rails to stop from slipping.
On the bottom floor there was a chance to see more traditional rooms.

Having retrieved our shoes, we wandered into town to explore. It was interesting to go into a typical Japanese food court, at Hiromi Market, to see everyone sat on long tables enjoying their lunch.

Walking back to catch the bus back to the ship, we had read about a local legendary love story, which took place on a red bridge and decided to investigate. This was a little disappointing as there was construction work going on and you could only see the bridge from one side and couldn't access it. Crossing the road, we had a good view point to watch the story unfold on a clock where, as the clock chimed, mechanical figures of the characters appeared. 

This vibrant little vermilion bridge in the heart of the city of Kochi is a popular photo spot. Harimaya Bridge is also the setting of a legendary love story between a monk and a local woman, which has been immortalized in the lyrics of a local folk song called yosakoi-bushi. According to legend, a young monk called Junshin was seen buying a kanzashi hairpin for his beloved Oma, a merchant’s daughter, at a shop near Harimaya Bridge. This was the beginning of the end for the star-crossed lovers, for at that time monks were forbidden to have relationships or marry. As punishment, Junshin was exiled and Ouma was sent far away, never to meet again.
In recent years, the area around the bridge has been turned into a pleasant strolling park, with a little man-made stream recreating the river that once passed beneath Harimaya Bridge. Across the street an elaborate clock announces each hour with mechanical figures that seem to dance to the sound of chimes.
Kochi Castle appears at the top of the clock, Yosakoi dancer dolls appear at the bottom, Harimaya Bridge to the right, and Katsurahama Beach to the left—all to the tune of Yosakoi Bushi folk music.

The clock was fascinating to view, although we didn't think it was ever going to end!
​We finished our walk after viewing a few of the shops and arrived back at the ship after another interesting day.

After leaving the ship, we caught the shuttle bus into town where we had arranged to meet a friend of Sue's who now worked in Japan. It was good to have someone with local knowledge who could now speak the language.
​ We started by walking to the Kushida Shrine  which  annually hosts the city's largest festival, Hakata Gion Yamakasa. and the first thing we saw was one of the large floats from this festival. Each side of this was equally as impressive with detailed images. 
​Exploring further, on this impressive site, we encountered torrential rain and were forced to shelter for a while before we could move on.

 Because of the weather, we decided that it would be best to visit an art gallery in order to stay out of the deluge of rain which had descended on the town.
Catching a taxi, we made our way to Ohori park where the Fukuoka Art Museum was situated, containing Buddhist art as well as the works of western-style painters who hailed from Kyushu in the modern age and foreign artists such as Dali, Miro and Chagall.
The first room we entered had 14th century Buddhist art from the Tokoin temple. The centre piece featured the 12 generals attending to Yakushi-nyorai who was the protector of the dragon direction. We didn't really understand this but the sculptures were impressive!
​

 Moving to the next room, we saw studies that quite surprised us as they were depicting everyday scenes in Japan such as,  sweeping the ground, Father and Brat, Twelve views of Dazaifu and a Tiger as well as more traditional landscapes. As well as being interesting some were quite humorous.

Our final visit was to the more modern section containing several works by famous European artists such as Picasso. Once again, unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take photographs in this area.  As we left the exhibition there was a large sculpture by Henry Moore and a small room with a temporary collection.

As we came out of the gallery, the weather had improved at last and the park looked very inviting, regrettably, it was time to get a taxi back to the centre and, having said goodbye to Sue's  friend, return to the ship.
​He was lucky enough to be staying for a couple more days to explore and sent us photographs of the city by night which made us quite jealous.

After reading the information about Sakaiminato, the idea of visiting a town where one street was lined with the 100 characters imagined by the Japanese Manga artist Shigeru Mizuki sounded really interesting.
So, leaving the ship and going outside, we found that there were two choices of free mini buses either to the Botanical gardens or the town. As we had done the research, we decided to go to the town and soon arrived at the centre. Walking along the main street was a fascinating experience with the sculptures every few yards and it helped that the town wasn't very busy.
​As we walked, it was difficult to decide which ones to photograph as they were all so unique. For children they could buy a book to collect stamps of the sculptures and there were stamps and ink pads dotted around the street. A lovely way to encourage tourism and added to the interest.

​Towards the end of the street was a museum portraying Mizuki's life story and his work. Unfortunately, when we walked around the museum, all the information was in Japanese although you could download an app which translated the information  into English. We hadn't brought our headphones, so we weren't  able to use this.  If we had listened to the commentary without headphones, it would have been too distracting for other visitors.
Mizuki's life story was fascinating as was a short film about his time in the army where he lost his left arm, and finishing with his final return to Japan.
His range of supernatural characters were published in magazines, but his fame outside Japan didn't start until after 2010 when his stories started to be translated into other languages.
​The museum showed  images of his work and one room was full of some of his quite scary figures. His main character was the 'Ghost boy,' Kitaro. The two pictures below show how he was drawn.

​Leaving the museum, we bumped into a couple we had become friendly with during the trip and they had come from the gardens and were now enjoying the town. We realised we still had some time left, so decided to visit the gardens before we had to return 
to the ship.  This proved to be a disaster as it took too long to get there.
When we finally arrived, we had to stay on the bus to go straight back to the ship! However, this journey allowed us to travel over a famous steep bridge, although this doesn't look so scary in the photograph.  

​To sum up, we enjoyed our visit to a really interesting town and were happy to have been given an insight into the origins of the famous Japanese culture of Manga.
 

For some reason, cruises around Japan have to leave the country for a day. In this instance, after a day sailing across the Japan Sea, we arrived in Sokcho, South Korea.
In a way the day at sea seemed to be a time to relax after a busy few days, unfortunately the ship encountered a Force Eleven gale, and many passengers endured a rough few hours, often just staying in their room. I did manage to get to the magic/comedy show at night where some of the biggest laughs were for the curtain behind him magically opening and closing as the boat rocked because of  the high waves.

Arriving the next day, we were pleased to get off the boat onto dry land. Having such a short time in port, we were limited in what we could do. Fortunately, there were buses laid on to take us into town. The first stop was at a local event, where there were craft stalls, activities for children and a dance group. This was interesting but we went around this in about an hour watching local people enjoying the morning. 

Catching the bus again, we went to the final destination which was a huge covered market selling a wide variety of goods and food. This was very busy, but not something that really appealed, although it was good to get a feel for the way locals shopped and purchased food.
Leaving the market, as we needed to get back to the boat on time, we realised that everyone else had come here and the queue stretched down the street. Having stood for over forty-five minutes  in the line and thinking we were never getting back, we remembered the saying, 'You wait ages for a bus and three come along at the same time!' 

An interesting day, but a shame because of the time limit that we couldn't explore further afield to find something more interesting. Boarding the boat, we just hoped that the crossing back to Japan would be smooth sailing.

 In the cabin we were able to watch short videos, on the television with information about the ports we were visiting. These were by the  specialist travel guide. Strangely, as Akita was quite an interesting place he spent most of the time talking about the famous Akita dog and little time about anything else. As this wasn't very helpful we used the excellent local tourist information guides, who we used for the rest of our ports of call. They were all welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful, with maps and advice. 
Travelling into town by shuttle bus, we were pleased to find that just a short walk from the drop off point was Senshu Park. With the weather being favorable, we decided to spend some time here. 
Crossing the road, we soon entered the park, and as fate would have it, the first open area had a walk in section where you could view the famous Akita dog!

Moving on, we explored the rest of the park with its stunning scenery, again being a little disappointed that the Autumn colours hadn't really set in. As well as interesting walkways with ponds and fountains there was also the Yojiro Inari Shrine and Kubota Castle to explore.

After a lovely walk in the sunshine and a refreshing ice cream, we left the park, crossing over the stunning moat, to explore more of the town. Seeing a poster for a Salvador Dali exhibition and using google maps we eventually found the gallery.
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This exhibition, held on the significant occasion of Salvador Dalí’s 120th birthday and the 100th anniversary of the Surrealist Manifesto, will provide an overview of Dalí’s life through the collection of the Morohashi Museum of Modern Art, one of the world’s foremost Dalí collections. It will also focus on Dalí’s activities after he moved to the United States.

Exploring the complex and delicate inner world of "Surrealist Dalí" that captivated audiences and the "human Dalí" behind it, this exhibition will reveal what kind of artist Salvador Dalí was, through oil paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and works by other Surrealist artists such as Miró and Magritte, who are beloved worldwide.

Unfortunately, again we were restricted from taking photographs in the main, Dali exhibition, although you could in the local contemporary gallery. It always surprises me how other towns in different countries manage to put these exhibitions on but Manchester and other large towns in our country can't.
After enjoying the exhibition, it was time to get the shuttle back to the boat after a lovely day in this port.

One thing that we enjoyed in every port was the arrival and departing ceremonies. As it was the first time the Noordam had visited this port, not only did we have a show to watch of drummers and dancers, the town even put on a firework display to honor our visit, which was quite special as was the night sky as we left.

Arriving in this town, the ship moored just across from the local fish market, and after walking through this we went to the  converted warehouses containing a range of craft and food stalls. Walking through this more modern area was interesting but we felt that exploring further was a better option. There was a full range of ice creams available although we saved this for a later time where we visited the 'second best ice cream shop' in the town. They even sold it in a bread roll.
Passing by a vending machine, we noticed this drink and although we were feeling thirsty, we didn't fancy seeing what this drink was.

As well as being famous for it's ice creams, Hakodote is also known for it's steep streets which we soon had to climb to see more of the town. Arriving up the hill, we encountered a lovely park with an  imposing building where several school groups were also wandering around, possibly as part of a project.

As we climbed further we reached the aerial ropeway gondola which took us to the top of the  334m-high Mount Hakodate. From here we had superb views of the town and surrounding area. In the distance we could see the harbour and even our boat in the dock.  As we looked over, I noticed this group pointing out the boat and decided it would be good subject matter for my next iPad memory sketch of the holiday.

Feeling more adventurous and having a lot of time left before we had to return to the ship, we descended from the mountain and decided to take our first tram ride out to the nearby Goryokaku park. Getting on the tram was easy but it wasn't until we had gone a few stops that we realised we should have collected a ticket from the machine on the way in. Fortunately, no one noticed and having collected a ticket (a couple of stops later)we sheepishly got off at the end having only paid for the last part of the journey.
Following google maps, we arrived near the park and decided to pay to go to the top of the nearby Goryokaku tower where we could have an aerial view of the park and the famous star designed castle remains.

This was well worth it and gave us a feel for the layout of the park and remains, before descending and walking to the entrance.

It was a pleasant walk around the park where we enjoyed the open spaces although we could see that the springtime cherry blossoms would prolificate here and unfortunately the Autumn leaves had only just started to appear.
Walking back to catch the tram, we remembered to get the ticket on entry and this journey helped our confidence on using public transport. A busy but fulfilling day.