July has been a crazily busy month over here. The sun has come out in force and we are seeing very hot (and unfortunately, mosquito filled) days now. I am told that similar weather is occurring at home and must be a welcome relief in what have been some very wet recent years. Sadly, I was unable to fit in a trip across the pond but I was able to take some short trips.

These started with a visit to Calgary Stampede. As I mentioned in my last blog, this is a huge event in Alberta with 10 days of rodeo action. As ever, it was fantastic to watch and it is so amazing to see these brave cowboys at work. From the speed of the timed events (steer wrestling, tie-down roping) to the physicality of the bucking events, it is a spectacle to behold and I was lucky enough to have a prime vantage point this year. Rodeos are so much fun to attend during the summer and there are lots to be found whether they are local or at the professional level.

That week also saw a crew of Irish polocrosse players from Cork and Tipperary descend on Calgary and I was lucky enough to be able to catch up with them. It always feels so great to hear the accents of home again and catch up with what is in the news over there particularly as I could not make it home. It made me laugh seeing Cork jerseys flying at high speed up and down the pitch so far from home doing us proud and demonstrating the Irish love of speed.

A work trip took me to Kansas City, Missouri, a city famous for its BBQ. To say it was scorching hot would be an understatement and the word “melting” was definitely heard on a number of occasions. On this trip I also had the great fortune of being the 2014 recipient of the Canadian Society of Animal Science Young Scientist Award. I definitely never thought that I would be in this position when I started Animal Science in UCD all those years ago. Agriculture has provided me with some many opportunities to see the world and work with some of the best people and it truly has been a privilege so far.

As I write this, I am on the way to spend the weekend in Waterton Park in Alberta, looking forward to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rockies and hiking trails that will definitely make me face me fear of heights. Who said life is all work, work, work….