Jasper is taking his little caravan on holiday

HELLO boys and girls, I've had the most wonderful couple of weekends recently out and about at the many summer shows throughout Co Galway, where there's so much to see and do I just have to share it with you all. Last weekend, Aunt Molly and I took ourselves off to Corrandulla for the day, to experience the sights and delights of the annual show. It was an animal lover's delight with horses, cows, sheep and dogs all competing for rosettes, while food lovers such as myself were spoiled with all the home baking and other sweet treats. Corrandulla is one of the longest running and popular shows in the county and it's easy to see why with all the different competitions and events held that is perfect for all the family. There were some very glamorous ladies dressed in their finest in a bid to claim the Best Dressed Lady title, while several of the children, who were there in their droves, sported painted faces and the biggest smiles, which shows what an afternoon of fresh air and family fun can do. Aunt Molly brought a picnic but she needn't have bothered as by the time we found a quiet spot to put down our blanket, I'd already eaten so many cream cakes and sweets I barely had any room left for the mountain of sandwiches she had packed. But I learned a long time ago not to refuse her kindness so I managed to fit more food in my bulging tummy. Luckily there was so much to see and do all afternoon that I had walked off the pain I had from eating too much by the time we got back into our car and headed home. The weekend before last we headed out to Ballyglunin for the annual sheep shearing festival, where my friend Ray, swapped his camera for a pair of shears to see how good he was with animals. I met Ray many years ago when he was out and about taking photos of people and places so it was no surprise to see him at the festival, capturing the fun of the day on camera. He's pretty good with a camera so the organisers decided to see if his shearing was as good, and always one for a challenge, he grabbed the first available sheep and within minutes the poor animal was without its fleece. I think they even gave him a special award but to be honest Aunt Molly and I were in tears laughing at him in his bright green t-shirt to be sure about that. Once we had recovered from all the laughter we were able to concentrate on the professional sheep shearers who were pretty amazing, in the speed and skill they displayed with the animals. We didn't get there in time for a sponsored cycle where the old style bicyles, High Nellies were used to raise money for charity, as it was early in the morning and you all know how much I love my lie in, especially on a Sunday. But I did get a lot of enjoyment out of watching the Tug of War competition, which I don't think I'd be very good at. They wouldn't let me up on the bouncy castle but from the squeals of delight and smiling faces of all the boys and girls who did get to go on it, it looked such fun. I've definitely caught the bug at this stage so this weekend Aunt Molly and I are hoping to make the journey out to Athenry where the town celebrates the 122nd annual agricultural show. It's such a great day you should come join me although if you catch me eating sweet treats from any of the stalls, don't tell Molly. Bye for now, Uncle Jasper