WE British love to talk about the weather – so it is just as well that we live in a country with so much of it.

I for one am grateful we live in a country with such varied and demarcated seasons. The change of the atmosphere throughout the year gives us a sense of progression and variety.

There is no doubt that as I write this we are in the peak of the English summer.

This means that in Parliament, we are now approaching the end of the Parliamentary term and heading into summer recess (though you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise, given the amount politicking still going on!).

Summer recess is an important part of the Parliamentary calendar. It can be very easy for MPs to become embroiled and consumed by the goings on in Westminster.

But while it is important that our MPs involve themselves in Westminster life, summer recess is the chance for MPs to anchor themselves back in their constituencies away from the Westminster bubble.

The summer also gives the country a change in the sporting calendar. For most of the year, football dominates as the activity of choice – and that to be expected as it is our national sport.

Indeed, there are football clubs in every town and city – often playing an important role in the social fabric of the area.

Carlisle United is an excellent example of this, and we know that they are very active in our community. Even now, we are enjoying an exciting Women’s Euros being held in England.

But the summer months do also offer an opportunity to watch and enjoy other sports in a way that doesn’t happen during the rest of the year. We have Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments, cricket in its various guises, and golf – including the British Open.

It is a real pleasure to watch and enjoy other sports that don’t normally get as much attention outside of summer and see the media coverage for them increasing significantly.

And, of course, summer is the time that many of us choose to take our holidays, whether within the UK or further afield.

It is also the time of festivals, fetes, and country shows – with Cumbria having its fair share of all of these.

This has been a difficult year, and unfortunately the cost-of-living crisis is likely to continue for some time yet – particularly with regard to energy prices. Therefore, I hope everyone can take the opportunity to safely enjoy some good weather and taking part in some summer activities.

After all, it will be Autumn before we know it, and there will be a whole different type of weather for us in the country to be talking about!