Author Archives: John Humphreys

After hours on the move I made it to State College, the tiny airport in Centre County, PA, to be met by Becky without the hound. He’d drawn far too much of a crowd (and tried to make too many friends) last time I’d arrived at the baggage claim belt, so this was something ofContinue reading “Travels With Jackson – 10.3, Sleepy Hallow’s”

October eventually arrived in full, and with it the big move into the new flat on Perth’s riverside.  I had a week to move in under my own steam – largely so at least. Spendthrift that I am at times, I was determined to do the work myself, only asking Mike, Man with a Van,Continue reading “Travels With(out) Jackson – 10.2, A Moving Mid-October”

With October came Scottish autumn, a little behind fall in Pennsylvania, but a definite drop in temperature and a rise in the colours on the horizon.  That, and the discussion of my rising cholesterol stats, encouraged me to get out more. Setting out for a couple of 30 minute walks a day, I managed toContinue reading “Travels with(out) Jackson – 10.1, The Weird, the Bad & the Puppies”

Muted relief it was, with still much to do before I could move into the new flat, and only a day or so before Becky was back on the plane, heading for the States.  In her absence, I threw myself into packing, even though it was still a couple of weeks before the physical moveContinue reading “Travels with(out) Jackson – 9.5, Crossing Eyes and Dotting Teas, September 2026”

No sooner was I back in the UK, reunited with Becky in London, but I was on the receiving end of services good, bad and ugly. The Dublin-London flight went smoothly aside from a ’Last and Final Call for Mr Humphreys’ announcement. Last on, almost first off the plane, and set for a relaxing fewContinue reading “Travels with(out) Jackson – 9.4, Failing with Eagles, Feeling Distance. September 2026”

Back in Perth on September 6th, I was set to arrive relaxed some time a day or two later, then get some well-earned rest, albeit in a hotel bed, and meet the new arrivals on the 9th. Clearly neither brain nor watch had recovered from three time differences as I travelled about the US andContinue reading “Travels with(out) Jackson – 9.3, Cliff Hanging, September 2026”

In the end, we made it to our meal, reuniting with Jason and fiancee, Salina, at a great seafood restaurant in Scottsdale.  The experience was memorable not just for the food and the friendship, but the service at Ocean 44, which was outstanding. It got me reflecting on service and what it means, how it’sContinue reading “Travels with(out) Jackson – 9.2, Changing Address, September 2026”

August became September, or at least started to identify as September, as the Pennsylvania leaves started to turn and my gardening forays eased off. In the last few weeks of August, knowing I’d soon be returning to the land of Celsius (and less of it), I dug in to my work outside.  Bare beds wereContinue reading “Travels with Jackson – 9.1, Chasing Hummingbirds and Hospitality, September 2026”

To a deafening cicada chorus in the back yard our Lyft pulled in to the house in Philipsburg, PA.  Now, cicadas are nothing new to me, something even expected on my many visits to Spain, but these guys were deafening.  The conversation (definitely felt like a two-way street, this chorus) lasted well into the night.Continue reading “Travels with Jackson – 8. Transitions and Travel Plans, August 2026”

Homeward bound, at least to my Perth home, where Becky had already arrived to join me for a while before we both flew stateside for the month of August. Mum was still hanging in there at her nursing home, and I was keen to drop in to check on her as I’d be back forContinue reading “Travels with(out) Jackson – 7.3, An English Roadtrip – Vines and Fine Friends, July 2026”