What a terribly wet month June has been, with almost double the average rainfall for this month. It feels like we have horrendously upset the weather gods in 2014, so much so a state of emergency was declared over the last weekend in parts of the province of Manitoba. Not very helpful for all the farmers out there who have seeded in recent weeks. I must admit it is a weird feeling being rained out here while at home in Ireland, sunshine and dry weather seems to have been the order of the day for the last few weeks. Go figure.

The rain did manage to hold off for Canada Day (1 July) when Canada celebrates its birthday (147 this year). This is a national holiday and celebrations take place in most cities and towns to mark the occasion and Winnipeg was no different with the festivities being capped off with a huge fireworks display late last night.

It is my favourite time of year here, with the Calgary Stampede, modestly labelled as “the greatest outdoor show on earth” starting this week. Last year, Alberta suffered terrible floods in the weeks leading up to the event, with the stampede grounds (and much of the city) under several feet of water two or three weeks before. The phrase “come hell or high water” became the slogan for the event with an epic recovery operation taking place to allow the 101st stampede to go ahead. To be properly attired for stampede, cowboy boots are de rigour and I have just received a new custom made pair from the fantastic Alberta Boot Company. I have been like a child at Christmas waiting on their arrival and now that I am suited and booted, it is road trip time. Only 1,327 kilometres to go.

July will hopefully also mean a quick trip across the pond for a visit home. Summer visits are few and far between as travel during these months is pretty costly but if I am lucky Monaghan will be through to the Ulster final when I am there. What a nice welcome home present it would be to see them retain their title. Fingers crossed!