The alarm rang far too early at 5.30am. Gee only got back from the US a few short hour ago. Why might you ask the early start well it is time for breakfast. So what do you really need breakfast at 5.30am.
Today Stampede Royalty awaits my arrival.
99.1 FM CBC Calgary with Dave and Amy can be hear on the phone as the line outside the Canadian Broadcasting complex in North West Calgary welcomes visitors to a Öfficial Stampede Caravan breakfast event.
Having traveled extensively from Australia it is only fitting that the Chief Executive Officer Warren Connell is awaiting our arrival and soon locates us amongst the now large crowd and personally welcomes me (as per photo) to a Stampede tradition.
The CBC breakfast is known for its efficient service, quality food and coffee (provided by the Co-op) and lots of entertainment and displays. The prepared tables with seating is in sharp contrast to many other breakfasts.
This is the second of the 2016 Stampede breakfasts as you will recall from the blog "No if's,Butts and Topless".
This one has the traditional pancakes already and cooked to perfection with lashings of Maple Syrup and a beef patty. Thirst is taken care of with fruit juice and a special blend of Co-op coffee.
If you are anyone this apart from The Premiers breakfast (and yes I will be at it on Tuesday morning) is the place to rub shoulders with the rich & famous,the locals,families,out of towners and international tourists (gee sounds like a terrorist target)
Many displays are situated around the car park that serves as the venue and these will range from the City library,the Food Bank,kids activities to the prize giving CBC tent.
Unfortunately two of our great friends John & Margaret had to leave for child minding activities early after securing an early place in the que despite John who had hosted the last two days in the US being up by 4am to take family to the airport for an early morning departure.
By the time we left stretched along the city block around the cornor and almost to the end of that block. would these people be fed,sure just look at the photo's of the catering trucks.
A live band occupied the stage but were often upstaged by the CBC crew and there wacky stunts eg Pie in the Face of personalities.
Also taking time to meet with me was Canadian Federal Minister for Veterans Kent Herr allowing discussions on how our respective countries take care of our veterans.
Many of those seeking a seat proved to be interesting of brief friends as we all discussed life in Canada,work,volunteers and the role an event such as The Calgary Stampede & Exhibition plays in stimulating the economy not only of Calgary but the whole of Canada as we prepare for 10 days of excitement that is renowned the world over now in it's 104 year of operation.as it leaves us only one last task. That my readers is too stand clear of buildings,look upward into the sky and try to forecast what weather Calgary will shower on us over the running of the Stampede, if it is like most past years expect everything to happen as it usually does-that partners is Calgary weather. No you all practise the Stampede phrase. YEE HA!