Ian Rapley
@irapley.bsky.social
900 followers 540 following 860 posts
Historian of modern Japan, part time shepherd, clueless beekeeper, forensic cricket scorer.
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irapley.bsky.social
Oh wow. Now we're talking. #cricket
irapley.bsky.social
*checks score* ok, maybe posted that a touch early ...
irapley.bsky.social
This #womensworldcup could really use one of these near-upsets turning into an actual upset. England, Australia, and now (from a lesser point of jeopardy) India have dug themselves out of holes.
irapley.bsky.social
Other explosives are available.
irapley.bsky.social
According to online stores, Green Star Japan is coming out in paperback at the end of the month. That's a nice surprise, and just in time for Christmas.

www.foyles.co.uk/author/81753...
irapley.bsky.social
I want an alert whenever there's a wrist spinner bowling in international cricket.

Today: ✅

Alana King has to be one of the funnest bowlers in the world to watch. Just a shame Georgia Wareham is on the bench.

#cricket
irapley.bsky.social
I profoundly do not want to have to have a bloody app for every shop I go into.
harrywallop.co.uk
Restaurants are increasingly relying on loyalty apps. As one diner told me, “you’d be insane to eat at Pizza Express without the app”
My long read on £100 ‘bill shock’ at high street restaurants. For @telegraphnews.bsky.social:

www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-dri...
Middle-class families are choking on the £100 ‘casual meal out’
A table for four hitting triple digits is triggering ‘bill shock’, to the detriment of Britain’s best-known restaurants
www.telegraph.co.uk
irapley.bsky.social
Ok, I'm pretty sure these ones are Do Not Eat.
irapley.bsky.social
A good horticultural show

A decent Windsor knot in a cutaway collar.
joemuggs.bsky.social
What’s the most Tory-coded thing you actively love?

Me: Essex. Elgar. Country pubs.
irapley.bsky.social
I hadn't thought of Instagram as a Twitter replacement, but it's noticeable that my useage has shifted dramatically from the main feed into the stories, which is the most twittery bit.
irapley.bsky.social
Fascinating article, featuring biodiversity, u-turns/j-turns, Peter Matanle's work on depopulation, and areas the size of Wales as a bonus.
pmarques35.bsky.social
[1/3] La dépopulation transforme les campagnes japonaises. +9 millions de maisons vides et 4,1 millions d’ha abandonnés fragilisent les paysages agricoles. Loin d’aider la nature ces friches favorisent souvent espèces invasives et perte de biodiversité. #geography #demography #Japan
Depopulation is reshaping Japan’s countryside and threatening biodiversity
Study finds Japan’s abandoned land is harming wildlife instead of helping it
geographical.co.uk
irapley.bsky.social
I'm going to be honest, it was all a bit over my head. I'm not sure I got through the whole thing.

Coincidentally, I put it on the English department's book swap shelves last week, and noticed this morning someone had taken it.
irapley.bsky.social
Sheep shearing is serious business, so maybe rock skipping?
irapley.bsky.social
Fitzgerald: So we beat on, boats against the current, obliterated without warning from above.
irapley.bsky.social
Even with the "want to know more" at the end.
Reposted by Ian Rapley
joshspero.ft.com
Starship Troopers (2025)
asharangappa.bsky.social
I’m in Boston. This ad just came on TV
Reposted by Ian Rapley
thepillowbookbot.bsky.social
indifferent and went to see another woman instead. Everyone, even people who were not directly concerned, felt indignant about this callous behavior, and the woman’s family was much grieved. The man himself, however, showed not the slightest pity.
Reposted by Ian Rapley
thepillowbookbot.bsky.social
I remember a certain woman who was both attractive and good-natured and who furthermore had excellent hand-writing. Yet when she sent a beautifully written poem to the man of her choice, he replied with some pretentious jottings and did not even bother to visit her. She wept endearingly, but he was
Reposted by Ian Rapley
skullsandsheets.bsky.social
Went to see the wonderful Dauntsey Doom painting. Hell looks fantastically delightful. And a skull friend!
St. James the Great Dauntsey a doom panel with jesus on a rainbow, heaven to his right and hell to his left. under jesus is mary and john the baptist. people are leaving their shrouds to be judged and 3 people are quite happily being rounded up into hells mouth 3 people being led into hell quite happily by 2 demons and a chain. one bloke has gone in, you can see his little legs in the fire skull memorial plaque
irapley.bsky.social
I remember thinking his testimony to the phone hacking inquiry was so craven that it was completely career ending. How little did I know.
irapley.bsky.social
4'32"!! Looks like I'm going to need a road trip.
irapley.bsky.social
To the park, where we indulged in Park Run amid much moaning and complaining.
samuelpepys.bsky.social
To the Park, where by appointment I met my brother Tom and Mr. Cooke, and there spoke about Tom’s business, and to good satisfaction.
irapley.bsky.social
Also, identifying all but the most obvious types seems to be really really hard.