Away From The Madding Crowd

louby40

Lovely to entertain and see friends and family but just as lovely to tidy up and have your house back to yourselves. 

ShyAndRetiring

Hi @humboldt  

I do find that, lovely though it is having visitors, it’s also great to have the house back and not have to get up extra early so as not to hog the bathroom when they may be waiting for it!

Your champagne, starlight and tea lights moment sounds lovely … we’ve not sat out of an evening much at all this summer, and I’m not really sure why, apart from the fact OH is usually in bed by 9! There’s also a large pond in the neighbourhood and last year I got eaten alive by mozzies each time we sat out after twilight, so that is a bit off-putting. However, I enjoy it despite that, I like watching the bats and the nightlife wildlife come out to play! 😀

Great updates, thanks for sharing. I’m loving your quotes, the last 2 really speak to me, they actually just about sum up this summer for us!

Have a lovely week, S&R x

Savvy_Sue

ShyAndRetiring said:

Your champagne, starlight and tea lights moment sounds lovely … we’ve not sat out of an evening much at all this summer, and I’m not really sure why, apart from the fact OH is usually in bed by 9! There’s also a large pond in the neighbourhood and last year I got eaten alive by mozzies each time we sat out after twilight, so that is a bit off-putting. However, I enjoy it despite that, I like watching the bats and the nightlife wildlife come out to play! 😀

You and me both, Shy, I have ANOTHER infected insect bite on my ankle, and I still do not know what it is that is getting me! It dives in soundlessly, draws blood, and disappears before I know it's there, so I can't even swat the little blighter. 

My lovely pharmacist, his heart must sink when he sees me. Another course of antibiotics, and if the blisters don't appear to be going down by Thursday I must go to the surgery and see if a nurse can take a look. Last year when I had a blister like this, I had to have it lanced. This year there were at least two smaller blisters, but they have spread into each other. Very sore as well. 

Organgrinder

Savvy_Sue said:

ShyAndRetiring said:

Your champagne, starlight and tea lights moment sounds lovely … we’ve not sat out of an evening much at all this summer, and I’m not really sure why, apart from the fact OH is usually in bed by 9! There’s also a large pond in the neighbourhood and last year I got eaten alive by mozzies each time we sat out after twilight, so that is a bit off-putting. However, I enjoy it despite that, I like watching the bats and the nightlife wildlife come out to play! 😀

You and me both, Shy, I have ANOTHER infected insect bite on my ankle, and I still do not know what it is that is getting me! It dives in soundlessly, draws blood, and disappears before I know it's there, so I can't even swat the little blighter. 

My lovely pharmacist, his heart must sink when he sees me. Another course of antibiotics, and if the blisters don't appear to be going down by Thursday I must go to the surgery and see if a nurse can take a look. Last year when I had a blister like this, I had to have it lanced. This year there were at least two smaller blisters, but they have spread into each other. Very sore as well. 

When we go abroad my wife nearly always gets bitten and the resulting infections frequently require a course of antibiotics.

Then this year we discovered OFF insect repellent. 

It's not cheap but it has so far worked.

Humboldt

louby40 said:

Lovely to entertain and see friends and family but just as lovely to tidy up and have your house back to yourselves. 

Morning @louby40 I totally agree.  

Today's simple pleasure - easing myself back into my simple, slow routine.  Washer and dishwasher currently taking advantage of my energy providers 1 hour free electric 

Humboldt

Hi @ShyAndRetiring, @Savvy_Sue and @Organgrinder, thanks for taking the time to comment. 

I too am prone to insect bites and tend to wear 'cover all clothing' when sitting outside in the evening, or when out walking in the countryside.  Despite my efforts, certain insects still manage to find me irresistible and antihistamine's are sometimes required. When on holiday in India, I bought some incense that is shaped into a coil and is supposed to repel insects, so I also use them when sat outside in the garden on an evening. 

@ShyandRetiring I recall reading somewhere that certain insects administer a mild anaesthetic, hence the reason you are not always aware of being bitten. I also read that they find those who have a negative blood group particular appetizing.  Not sure how factual these points are, but interesting nevertheless. 

I do sometimes use an insect repellent, but I am not familiar with that brand @Organgrinder so will check it out.  

@Savvy_Sue your experience sounds particularly nasty.  Wishing you a swift recovery.

No sunshine here today, but dry and breezy, which is perfect for hanging more washing outside.

Savvy_Sue

Can't remember what the pharmacist sold me for insect repellent, but I can smell it so hopefully it's off-putting to the wildlife.

This evening I decided it would be easier to phone 111 than attempt to persuade the surgery that I needed an urgent nurse appointment. I feel it's sad we've come to that, but the phone assessment was thorough, and I should get a call from the surgery tomorrow. It's just gross.

CarolWHerts

Re insect bites, after baby #2 my swollen ankles refused to go away and were eventually diagnosed as mild lymphoedema that would be a lifelong condition and compression stockings were prescribed. It was explained that this would stop the condition worsening and protect my skin over the years.

I made a huge fuss at first about the 'granny stockings' (I was only in my 40s) but calmed down when I realised that not only could I wear my full wardrobe of shoes and boots again without rubbing and blisters, but also the insect bites that had plagued my lower legs for years just weren't happening.

As well as the stockings providing a physical barrier, I suspect there was something about the thin, stretched juicy skin that was particularly attractive to insects. I still have the old scars from the bites, but I'm not getting any new ones.

So, something to think about if you have swollen ankles, although I know the stockings can take a bit of getting used to. I was happy, eventually, to trade bare legs in Summer for the benefit of comfortable feet and no bites, although others might feel differently. 

Savvy_Sue

Thanks, that's very helpful. I already have stripey compression socks for walking.

Saw a GP today. She wouldn't lance it because "do no harm" precludes potentially introducing a source of infection. She did tell me that if someone else happened to find a sterilised needle in their hand, THAT would be the spot to aim for. And she gave me a bundle of gauze and dressings "in case it bursts".

Alnat1

What terrible times we are now living in, when a doctor avoids treatment because they are more concerned about the implications should the procedure go wrong.

I had something similar when a "dissolving" stitch remained. Hospital referred me to GP, GP said it was hospital's responsibility. I still have a small black lump on my heel 3 years later.