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My heart goes out to the bus loads of tourists currently being ferried from one national landmark to the next. With visibility in our rainy season down to a few hundred meters, breaking the journey to use the toilet, have a coffee and a snack, must be the highlight of their day.

Can't you just imagine the conversations they are having in hotel rooms at night. " That green apple place had very clean toilets and good coffee too, lets come back next year and bring the kids" or "Oh honey, I thought I spotted a castle today before the bus windows steamed up".

And all the time we thought it was high prices and poor hygiene that threatened to damage our tourist industry.

There's a saying which once perfectly described Ireland's relationship with its weather patterns. I used it many times to illustrate to non Irish people just how haphazard and unpredictable that relationship was. It's very simple I would say, if you don't like the weather in Ireland just wait five minutes.

Well you can take that saying, stick it in your hat and bury your hat in the bog. How about, if you don't like the weather, wait 2 months!

The Chinese Olympics 2008 committee refuse to rely on any such tenuous relationship with the weather when it comes to guaranteeing the success of their Games. They have promised good weather for the duration of the Olympics by declaring they will simply blow the rain clouds away, with missiles, no less. They have already been practicing. Judging by the amount of rain we have experienced in the past two months in this part of the world, it's working.

Snushine, shunsine, sunsihne, sunshine, wow I almost forgot how to spell it it's been so long since I've seen any!

Some improvement on that front for the weekend, tentatively speaking that is. I am almost afraid to say it out loud but it looks like the weather on Saturday will be extremely favourable (as opposed to just plain extreme) for the Lovebox festival at Malahide castle. Fans will be flocking to see Groove Armada, Super Furry Animals and reggae giants Toots and the Maytals plus a cast of thousands. We hope the weather keeps fine for them.

If you're not in the mood for dancing you could take advantage of a break in the clouds and head on down to the International Garden Show in Emo, Co. Laois. Way out west, the Galway Arts festival is in full swing and Galway folk have never let a drop of rain ruin their fun.

Whatever the weather you can always stop off at the nearest Applegreen for a good cup of coffee, a quick bite to eat and while you're at it pick up a special offer road atlas so you don't get lost. Drive with care.

Almost 40 days now since it started to rain and apart from a few hours of intense sunshine here and there to raise the spirits, I think you'll agree it's been pretty depressing. I can't but feel sorry for the hundreds of groups, clubs and communities around the country who have organized outdoor events this Irish summer and put on brave faces during what has been 6 weeks of the worst (summer) weather I have ever experienced.

My mother believes that all this water is a direct result of the celtic tiger. She's fond of reminding me that we can't have it all, money and sunshine that is. She may have a point there, sometimes my mother makes more sense than all the weathermen and economists in the world.

There is some good news though, it's not all doom and gloom. Applegreen Arcadia has opened at Arcadia Retail Park in Athlone and manager and staff will be delighted to welcome you. Stop in and say hello, tell them the daily crab sent you. Nice to see that even during weather this bad you can find another apple on the tree!

Hey! Had to share this one with you. Most people like music of one sort or another, beefed up rock or meaty blues solos or even cheesy pop or corny folk, so when I finally came upon the Vegetable Orchestra of Vienna I thought to myself, at last...a healthy alternative!

On Saturdays they head down to the local market, pick up the freshest veg they can find and after a little modification play some of the finest vegetarian music you are ever likely to hear. While it may not be to everybody's taste, when you check out this video I think you will agree that these guys are really cookin'!

Watch out too for the new Applegreen tankers around the country. The use of food and fuel images on the tankers has stirred up a lively debate and made them highly visible but easy on the eye. No doubt it won't be long before our competitors follow suit and do likewise, after all, petrol tankers up to now have been pretty boring and bland. Let us know what you think.