Lyme Disease ePetition

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to put in place Clinical Guidelines, SPECIFIC to the United Kingdom, for the diagnosis and treatment of all patients, including children, who have acquired Lyme disease or associated Tick-borne diseases. These guidelines should be part of a national strategy to combat this increasingly common threat to health in the United Kingdom and should address the UK presentation of Lyme disease and other emerging Tick-borne Diseases.

Submitted by Gill Reese of Lyme Disease Action – Deadline to sign up by: 07 April 2009 – Signatures: 1,778

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Lyme-guidelines/#detail

Triple S – Aye? Nae

It has been a funny old day.

The US presidential race ends at Manassas, where the British journalist noted that there was an American Civil War battle – actually, there was two battles fought on the site, which is sometimes referred to as Bull Run. Both pre-dated the emancipation proclamation made after Antietam/Sharpsburg later in 1862.

Speaking of American conflicts, Donald Trump got handed the keys to a nearby site of special scientific interest so that he can build homes and a golf course. There seems to be a very slight chance (i.e. one politician interviewed) that he will not destroy the dunes and the wildlife. BBC news link. Photos.

No doubt a certain zoo … oops, heelan’ safari … is planning to unleash the hounds sooner.

Mick and Gayle posted a video clip of the bad weather at The Kingshouse, and Glen Nevis campsite.

I collected my BackpackingLight.com goodie box from the local corner shop – good for Parcel Force to save me a cross-town journey (especially as the car battery is dead).

That book “Fixing your feet” by John Vonhof is massive! Sections on feet, footwear (hmm, why is it not feetwear?), prevention and treatment. Two wee tubs of BodyGlide, and a pair of possum fur gloves. I tried the gloves on and they were toasty. But I was in the house at the time, as I didn’t want to get them manky as I worked on the car.

And there was an email at work, asking if anyone wanted to visit the local landfill site. Like I said, it has been a funny old day.

WHW AAR

Or should that be “after in-action report”? I know it wasn’t the Yukon, and only 47.5  miles (which should make it half-way up a 95 mile track). I also spent money in the locality for the extra days instead of in Canada, or giving up and bugging out to paint figures and watch tv. What I used to do, was spend a few days tidying the flat and some days planning the rest of the teaching block. A relaxing time. But I wasn’t achieving much.

I was asked if I was giving up, seeing as I don’t have the time for major Canadian-style expeditions, I was emphatic that I was merely seeing the last few days as throwing up problems to be solved. Some were gear-related, but many were me-related, physical and mental.

Starting from the ground up:

Feet - Problems

Feet were wet and I had problems caused by that. My feet end up like prunes, and I get more blisters as there are more edges rubbing against socks. Other parts of the feet developed red sores. I treated them at night, drying them off, puncturing large blisters and letting them breath after applying germolene, sometimes applying second skin. In the morning I would tape up blisters and some of the bigger sores. I had foot-talc in a small bottle and put on dry socks.

Feet - Solutions

Try and get used to Sealskinz socks, maybe with liner. I found they gave me blisters, so didn’t use them.

Get feet toughened up and acclimatised.

Learn more about foot-care. I’ll be ordering “Fixing your feet”

Footwear – Problems

Water got into socks. I’m not sure how. The Scarpa ZG65’s are lined with XCR, and I clean and waterproof them before setting out.

Possibilities – Water gets in through proofing or failed lining. Water gets in via the cuff of the boot as streams in spate or walking through mud. Water getting under Paramo trousers (which didn’t fail).

Footwear – Solutions

Test how water got into boot and solve problem.

Purchase short ankle gaiters. I noticed that Paramo advertise a pair that will “protect against water drainage from trouser hems.” (source) I will order a pair.

Baselayer – Problems

Chafing at the upper leg. Every time I stepped out it was painful. Every time me foot hit the ground, it was painful. Repeat with other leg. At 1 mile an hour, that was a lot of pain.

Baselayer – Solutions

Get new pair of merino shreddies.

Get some BodyGlide or similar.

Phone Charger – Problem

When battery got low on Nokia 6220c phone, it needed a mains charge across it. Before that, the Tekkeon charger worked, and then it didn’t. I noticed coming back on the train, that the input charge kept dropping, and reckon that the long, slender “Nokia Slim” connector is too wobbly.

Phone Charger – Solution

I’m looking at chargers. I saw a pull-cord one in Blacks in Fort William, and thought that the similar charger for the “one laptop per child” and thought something like that would be more efficient, so will go and hunt one down.

SleepMat – Problem

The sleepmat lives against the back of my pack. It got wet.

SleepMat – Solution

Does anyone make a suitable dry-sack? I’ll just use a rubble-sack from the supermarket, I think.

Trek rate – Problem

I was down to 1 mph. This was when road walking on day 2, as well as later. Although down to pains as mentioned above, I need to get used to walking along. Last time, it was all novel to me. This was my second Way, and third Long Distance Trek. I found a lot of it dull (loch on the left, woods on the right). This doesn’t bode well for morale.

Trek rate – Solution

Get the stepping machine out of the airing cupboard and get some exercise. I lost 4kg. 8 pounds, in a few days. Stop comfort eating, especially at lunchtime.

Aquagear Survivor

Declaration: I received an Aquagear Survivor filter bottle for free from BackpackingLight.co.uk for review. The unit arrived through the post in May 2008 with a note that “we would appreciate an A4 report as to the way you have used the product and the impact it has made on your outdoor activities.” Here follows the report.

Technical information: I’m not a virologist, so you can read the list of viruses and infections that it filters out off the website and listen to the podcast, or go to the manufacturer’s site. The main advice is to only filter water from a running non-saline watercourse. There is also a removable pocket in the base of the bottle that allows iodine or chlorine tablets to be added. Inside the base unit is a mesh to filter out sediment as the bottle is filled from the base, and drunk through the lid spout.

I drink water on the move from my pack-mounted CamelBak unit (Sto-away 70/2.1litre). To cut down on pack weight, I’ll estimate how much water I’ll want to carry and generally a 1 litre carry will do me in the Cairngorms of Scotland. We aren’t short of water here.

For a “packs-off” stop, I got into the habit of drinking from a running water-source instead of draining the CamelBak. To refill the hydration system, I would either have to remove it from the inside of my regular Osprey Atmos pack or rig up a refill system (as described on the Southern Upland Way). So I got into the habit of carrying a plastic pop bottle that I could fill up and sup out of. When the tent was pitched, I could use the bottle to fill up the hydration sack instead of forcing the sack into a stream. If the water was dodgy, I would drop in some Aqua Mira solution and wait about 15 minutes.

When I got the Aquagear bottle, I simply replaced the pop bottle with the filtration bottle. It lives in the side pocket of the backpack. Some people are able to forego the hydration system and reach into the pocket of their pack – I am not that flexible. I bought a 1 litre Nalgene bottle carrier to use on my belt as a holster on day trips. Though I have not used it so far.

When I want to fill the bottle up, I simply remove the base plate, leave on the sieve and fill up the bottle. I can then pump it through the filter into the CamelBak. Keeping the top of the bottle out of contaminated water can be an issue, but the spout has a cover on it that should stop water contaminating the spout. I tend to fill from flowing water anyway, aiming for small waterfalls. If encamped, I found that the GSI bowl almost fills the bottle in one scoop.

Here is my initial out of the box look, and the first use in Glen Ey in the Cairngorms.

Nothing much has really changed over the Summer. I drink out of the Aquagear Survivor at packs-off stops, and I use it to fill my CamelBak at night and in the morning. Sometimes I will filter the water through the bottle into the CamelBak, and sometimes I won’t – it depends on my trust in the water source. I carry a few chlorine tablets (from a Lifesystems packet) in a zip-lock bag in my first aid kit, just in case the water is very dodgy.

For those of you interested in such things, the manufacturer states that the unit weighs 180 grams (empty). For me, it is now a standard piece of kit and is much more useful than an old pop bottle.

Even Midges Need a Holiday

Cunning thing midges. As reported in BG!'s blog, with a report from The Scotsman, scientists were going to be testing a midge spray that would cloak the wearer from the wee pests. A big test was run at the weekend's Loch Ness charity run. According to the Press & Journal, "midges were strangely rare" during the event.

Maybe it is like that elephant deterrent I bought for my flat.

Hopefully the scientists glean some useful data.

Akto, an II

At the beginning of July, 2006, my Hilleberg Akto arrived. Last year I marked this with a post called: A Year With An Akto. So, what has happened in Year II? The only maintenance on the tent was the repair of a hole that appeared.

Kit

I pack the night before an early start, and find that laying my kit on the bed is a great aide memoir. I make piles of clothing to wear, carry and so-forth. Unlike what follows, which doesn't go into each nook and cranny of every pocket.

Footwear

My preference is still for the Scarpa ZG65 boots. I had swapped out the footbeds with the moulded superfeet. I use Nikwax cleaning products after brushing or washing off excess mud.

Recently I have tried the TNF Hedgehog XCR trail shoes, swapping out the laces with those from my old Inov8 Terrocs. I picked up some blisters in Dartmoor and tightened up the lace fittings on return, no problem walking in last week, but picked up 1 1/2 blisters on the return as I had forgot to change out of the Sealskinz socks I was using as camp shoes.

My favourite pair of socks are a black & grey pair labelled "Ultimax", and have a spare pair of socks in my kit. I find that the Air Force X-socks make my feet smell.

Pack

I am still using the Osprey Atmos as pack of choice. In fact, for overnights to longer, it is a comfortable pack that handles what I throw at it. I could shave some weight off by using a smaller pack for short trips, but I can't afford it and just tighten the straps on the pack.

I bought a new Camelbak hydration sack during the year, and now use the insulated one. I might be imagining that it keeps the cold water colder.

Poles are still the PacerPoles. They are good at doing the job, and I break them down after hikes, and sometimes at night too, to stop the mechanism seizing.

Kitchen

On my last two trips, I took the MiniBullDesign Blackfly 3 meths stove. I never liked the open fire meths stoves as they seemed too uncontrollable to me. This small stove uses two ends of a wick to boil enough cold water for a brew in about 10 minutes. Slower than my Primus Micron, but I can merely refill the fuel bottle at the end of a trip. I cannot do that with gas. After about 4 days, the size of a gas canister starts making it viable again.

The mug/bowl combo from GSI is great, and I've been using the folding spoon instead of the folding spork (photos). I still have food to sort, and haven't had a serious attempt at freezer bag cooking. I have a cupboard of supplies, and just grab what I need.

Bob kindly sent me an AquaGear water filter to test (and I've still got the write-up to complete). This lives in the side pocket of a pack, and I use it to drink at a packs-off stop. I also fill the hydration bag from it.

Sleep Kit

My bag is still the Cumulus Ultralight 350. It does the job. I can unzip it and use it as a duvet. I slide the Insul Mat Max Thermo Lite down the inside of the pack. It is full length and I didn't find it cold when out in the low temperature. Having failed to replace it with an Exped, I might try next year's Thermarest release.

After seeing an Ajungilak Air Pillow in use, I upgraded from rolling up clothing into and around a stuff sack. Mine now lives in a small waterproof Exped stuffsack.

From the washing line I have rigged from ties in my tent, I can hang a small torch, as well as the more Alpkit powerful headtorch (I've not used the e+lite since the meet at Brecon last year). My pack stays at the foot end of the tent, kitchen outside in the porch, and fragile things safely up at the head end.

Clothing

With Sunday's purchase, my base layer is all merino wool. Shreddies, long-johns and longsleeve t-shirt.

Beyond that, my trousers are Paramo, meaning I can leave the waterproof overtrousers at home. Above that is a TNF fleece, and Montane primoloft lined windshirt. Buff and maybe a bonnet live in the pockets, along with liner gloves and Garmin Geko 201. In the top of my pack is a Montane Quickfire waterproof jacket.

I replaced my 'Ultimate' hat with a cammo one from Mackays, and sprayed it a couple of times with Nikwax waterproofing. The brim keeps the sun and rain off, and it folds into my pocket.

Housekeeping

The first aid kit, toilet bag and lotion & potions make up most of the rest of the kit. The small containers that I got this year allowed me to take various items like germolene and soap in smaller bottles.

Hiking

Last year finished with illness outside Killin, the pain returned and I got little hiking done as I was concerned that whatever it was would return. A trip to the physiotherapist ruled out a hernia. I got some short walks in, and bagged no further Munros until late Spring. In early summer, I was signed off with cellulitis. As it was still itchy and swollen, I wanted to keep pressure off it, so used that as an excuse not to get much done before a trip to Dartmoor in the summer.

So, in the last year, despite illness, I have hiked 132km (80 miles), spent 7 nights in my Akto, and bagged 1 Munro. Not as good as I could have been, but my motivation has been hit by concerns about another bout of pains. The main lesson this has raised is, whatever you do, don't say you go hiking, as the medicos seem to jump on that as the causes of illness. For the pain in my side, it was caused by my rucksack. I tried to explain to the doc that the pains started in my flat, before I went near my pack. And the infection in my leg was due to a tick (there weren't any) or a midge (ditto).

Some pitches

And now, some pitches with the best all-round solo tent in existence. I store the fabric in its carry bag, and then put that inside an Exped compression bag. This lies across the rucksack, near the top. The peg bag and pole all fit into the supplied bag, and that goes inside the rucksack on the side opposite the hydration tube exit. When I pitch the tent, I make sure that no gust of wind can lift empty bags, so clip the compression bag to my rucksack, and put the empty tent bags into it as I am pitching the tent.

Happy trails.

Back to Reality

In the last 4 weeks I have been mainly keeping my left leg elevated and following the doctor's orders. She's been a great doc, and my leg is merely itchy now, and breathing a lot better. Enough for me to get back to work yesterday (with the obligatory "welcome back" interview with HR), and thank my workmates for picking up 4 weeks of classes. Strange how much work changes in that time of absence, even when keeping in touch via emails.

So, I've a pile of things that I haven't tested yet.

The TNF Hedgehog GTX XCR trail shoes, bought on 12 hours before I phoned NHSDirect (no link implied). I refuse to wear them on my short walks that I have to take in the last week after my meds changed.

The Blackfly#3 that I bought from Tinny in the USA  - kindly resent when the original never arrived.

The doc was concerned that I couldn't look after myself - I did point out some of my recent hikes, and how much food I had in the flat. But I've still to try some FreezerBag recipes, as I'll need to find storage space in my kitchen for all the ingredients currently living in a box on the floor.

The Aquagear Survivor water filtration system needs another trip out before I write up my report. I have a Nalgene bottle carrier to strap it onto my belt, so I can access it when walking. It should allow me to carry less water in Camelbak, as I like to drink without stopping. It is important to keep hydrated, otherwise strange things happens to the body's systems.

Mike collected the Akto's inner from Tiso's. Good repair job, good price. Oh, and I measured the cord length again, and it is the recommended 165cm.

Dawn's had another clear-out, and I've a pack-full of excess gear to collect on my way down to Dartmoor later in the month. I'll need a dust-off before then, especially to make sure that my leg is up to a weekend of exploration.

In week 2, I was able to elevate my leg and use my computer at the same time (footstool with 4 cushions on it did the trick). I caught up with some tech podcasts, mainly from the TWiT stable. I lodged my interest in the new iPhone with O2, and was really enthused watching Steve Jobs' keynote speech, but was less enthused the more I listened to podcasts like MacBreak Weekly and Today in iPhone. I gave up on Trail magazine and will not be renewing my subscription, but have been reading the BPL.com forums - I haven't bought a membership there, merely the magazine subscription.

Watched a pile of dvds, highlights "Doctor Who: The Beginning" (first 13 episodes from 1963), and "The Day the Earth Stood Still", lowlight "King Arthur" (not as bad as Braveheart, but sodding close. Great kit, good sets, poor - really poor - story). Finally bought a copy of "Scottish Hill Tracks" and can see why people on the TGOc like it, and why it was useful for Gayle and Mick in route-planning their country-long trek. Also realised that I didn't have Paddy Dillon's "The National Trails", so rectified that as well as buying "Walking on Dartmoor" by John Earle.

As it is impossible to paint while keeping leg elevated and major dosage of anti-biotics setting the daily routine, I've been unable to paint figures. I have, however, been planning my trench system, and would love something as detailed as this, but doubt I can achieve that level of realism. I treated my research to a blast of the "Charley's War" reprints - I forgot how realistic they were. Pat Mills answers his critics with research.

The Palmolive bottle still hasn't been eaten by the meths/water mix, so that's another piece of kit for the dust-off test.

As to the blog, I've added some 'non-ads' to the sidebar. Unpaid, unsponsored, unasked, just highlighting some companies that do a good job. The only other change I made was to change the type of "map-amung -us" to show where about current readers are.

Think I might get the iPhone 3g as I think Web2.0 has reached it's limit for me. It becomes just noise rather than information. Despite being laid up for this time, I've still got piles of podcasts and blogs to read, as well as programmes to clear from my recorder. As people require log-ins before comments can be left, or become protective about the purity of comments (see podcast about responsibility), as there are more media-podcasts being set up in direct challenge to the dire terrestrial broadcasting schedules, will we see an end to the lowly ramblings on forums, newsgroups, blogs? Is the term "friend" being demeaned by its use in social networking? Is the brain being rewired by the reliance on the Net (or is that, shudder, the "cloud").

TGO just dropped through letterbox, time to get a move on.

Podzine 21 April 08

Bob's new podzine came up on iTunes yesterday - one of 7 (seven!) podcasts released. Amazing. Of special interest to me is the advice on ticks. Horrible wee nasties.

The Podzine 21/4/08

Download MP3 File

Links to interviews with Cicerone's Paddy Dillon and Ronald Turnbull (revisiting "The Book of the Bivvy"), wild cooking and others.

I collected a surprise package from the sorting office today, so I'm off to listen to the Aquagear Survivor water filtration system.

Aquagear Survivor - Pure Water Anywhere

Download MP3 File

More on that later.

Fuel: Ear Candles

Well, didn't set fire to anything this time, but not very practical as a fuel source.

Ability to boil a litre of water from cold is abysmal (even if you could get both ears aflame at the same time) and cost is quite high. Stocked in only a few places. Advantages: no problem getting them through customs (unless you go for the more exotic perfumes); being hollow, they are quite lightweight and could double up as chopsticks for fat-fingered folk or firelighters.

BS08

It may not be my choice of abbreviations, but BS08 marks "Breathing Space Day 2008".

Anyone can feel down or depressed from time to time. It helps to get some Breathing Space. You are not alone and talking about how you feel is a positive first step in getting help. So don't let problems get out of hand, phone Breathing Space where experienced advisors will listen and provide information and advice.

Breathing Space Scotland's Home Page

Breathing Space Day aims to encourage people to think about what they can do to take a breathing space from their hectic lives in order to nurture their mental health and well-being.

Tony McLaren, National Coordinator for Breathing Space, said: "This is an exciting initiative, designed to get people talking about how they take care of their own mental well-being in daily life, and in general promoting awareness of positive mental health and challenging stigma in relation to mental health problems.

Who could resist an organisation that uses a photograph like this? My idea of heaven - except I'd be wearing more appropriate gear and heading up that track to see what's on the other side.
For example, Cairn Toul during a 4-day unsupported solo trek to the Cairngorm plateau, Summer 07. It's 1291m/4236ft, and the Lairig Ghru's off to one side. Topped 5 Munros in the circuit. MapLink

There's lots of information on the site: "open up when you're feeling down".

--

PS: Looking at the photo again, I think the chap may be caught at the bottom of the slope, concerned about it. Aye, here's the same chap again under the "Lonely? Feeling isolated" heading.

Out of Doors 8.12.07

Another cracking programme this morning. Being asleep for the first 10 mins, I missed the start of the article on the SSSI's. I'm listening again via the website. Then I'm off to Balmedie before the weather changes.

Other items covered in the show: names and history of Bennachie , and the Sandpiper Trust bags and first aid training for rural medics.

Educational, entertaining and enlightening. No porn at all. Although the Anne Scott sounds like a babe. Rrrrrr.

Lets Get Physio

For a start, it was nothing like this. I was questioned, poked, stretched and tickled by Laura and Heather at Woolmanhill today. And all on the NHS too!

Nothing muscular or skeletal there now, and been off the painkillers for a couple of weeks now.  It might be medical. Woo-hoo.

Reason for woo-hoo-ing? First chance I get, I'm hauling my sorry *rse up the nearest hill.

Found another use for blogging - when asked to describe the history, I pulled some printouts from my jacket:

• Friday 17th August, morning, evening,
• Tuesday 4th September, 1st day off work
• Thursday 6th September, 3rd day off work
• Tuesday 18th September, saw 3rd doctor about pain 

They were more descriptive than the Doctor's report, or from me trying to remember what it was like at the time.

Some of the physio students are planning on walking the West Highland Way next year. Good luck.

Prep for Physio

First appointment with Physio tomorrow. I am to take shorts (I only have one pair as I don't like showing off my legs) and a t-shirt. But which one?

Chris Claremont's "Wolverine"? Snick, snick. Might give the wrong signals.

My "Keep on trekkin' (life is good)", just back from cleaner's, so is too clean to use as it'll just need washed again.

My old Harvard one is the opposite, too much wear & tear. Same with my old RGU or Theakston ones.

My Blue Sun/Firefly t-shirt is too often worn, and shows it.

Something dark, to cover the sweat-stains brought on by being un-hill-fit now. In the end, I decided on the "Talk nerdy to me" (Jinx.com, from a ConX gamer in the USA, hi Usul).

At least I don't have the same choices for shoes.

Podcast with MapleKiwi

Bob C interviewed Maple Kiwi (Michelle Waitzman) about her new book "Sex in a Tent". It was good to hear her voice after communicating over the Net this year.

Described as an honest, down to earth book about relationships in the outdoors. Smelling nice, looking nice when hiking together. Laughing at their expense (a big no). Planning a trip that won't end the relationship before it starts. LOL at Bob trying to persuade her that it's a manly smell, not 2-day old polyester smell.

Romantic meals in the outdoors. Great description of the difference. Yup, I too see food as fuel. Chocolate: possibly for every meal (my kind of woman). The idea of romantic camp sites.

Blogging and bloggers get mentioned, being part of her routine. Link to loveinatent.blogspot.com. Chris T and Tom Mangan get a namecheck. Also her recent interview with Mr Townsend.

Book is available (15 Oct) from Amazon and shops stocking outdoors books.

Physio Update

Forgot to say that I got a letter from the Physiotherapy Department for me to give them a call to arrange the first appointment. 3 doctors, 2 weeks from last doctor, and the line hits me "our current waiting time for appointments is approximately 5 weeks".

So, pain hits me in the beginning of September, and the first chance I'll have to see a physio will might be in the beginning of December. And it's not as if there'll be a magic bullet.

I'm getting to the stage (and waist-line) where I'm seriously thinking of going sod this, pack my rucksack and head to the Cairngorms National Park for a few days of trekking.

I've even been told by relatives to come off the painkillers and go to A&E instead. Apparently a lot of people have done the same, using the A&E as there are limited out of office-hours doctors available. No wonder BUPA advertise for business on the TV, they must be raking it in.

Doctors at the Top

I noticed that Horizon on Sunday is showing

Everest: Doctors in the Death Zone

Hypoxia is the medical name for what happens when the body runs short of oxygen. It affects intensive care patients and it's a problem for climbers at high altitude. But some people cope far better with low oxygen than others and no-one quite knows why. So, in this stirring two-part Horizon, a group of British doctors sets off to Mount Everest to try to find out. Their dedication is verging on the heroic. Getting up Everest is tough enough, but once there, they set up entire labs full of hi-tech medical gadgets and put themselves through gruelling tests involving pedalling on exercise bikes and swallowing tubes. Worse, the doctors' whole project is threatened by the need to assist other climbers, whose casual attitude to human life is in horribly stark contrast to their own.

I heard the radio program about these folk and that was impressive, so I'll definitely be watching the TV version. It won't be the same, not lying in my tent at 1010metres on the side of Cairn Toul (link).

Signed off the Hills

Went back to doctor (nr3) as pains in torso. She gave me some anti-inflammatory pills and is going to ask the physiotherapist to get in touch. And no hills.

Pacing the Walls

Third day off ill. Got a total of 3 hours sleep last night. With about 3 hours of pacing and limbering exercises and attempts to doze off between 2am and 5am.

FJ came round to see how I was doing. I gave her a presentation AktoMug, but the photo was too unfocussed to post here. I'll sort something out later (re-posed next day).

Problems on the mend, at about the same timings as the last time. In case it was food poisoning, I've attacked kitchen surfaces with some chemical treatment. So tired that pushing the Dyson round the flat wore me out - felt exactly like the time at Killin (but without the headaches). As it's on the mend, I didn't go back to the Doc.

Hopefully good to go back to work tomorrow. I'll need to get some chocs for the folk that have been covering for me.

Oh, and I've been banned from the OB forum again. Maybe someone needs some of the tabs that the spammers sell to cut down on this premature evictioning.

Fall Out

Walking back from the doctor's today I sighted a council worker sweeping up the leaves from the street. The first sign of Fall/Autumn? I know the seasons are different, but we don't have 'Fall' in the UK, combining it all into Autumn. Strange that, some of the terms from the English language exist in the New World, but not in the Old.

I saw that Colin Prior has a presentation at TechFest later this month. Also, Ben Fogle gives a talk about his passion for the natural world; Ann Lindsay on 300 years of plant collectors; Dr Iain Stewart and his hot rocks. Plus a pile of other science-centred tours, presentations and events.

And the reason for going to the medico? A recurrence of the stomach-ache I had a few weeks back. I'm under orders to rest up and eat light food. It may be a bug or something like that - nothing serious - so ruled out Lyme disease, hernia, appendicitis, pregnancy. Sorry to those who are covering for me at work.

Duvet day the Akto way

Stomach fires raged all day and when i went to move, it was a struggle against my stomach muscles and aching head. I dozed, listened to radio, working up motivation and failing. Repeat cycle for just short of 12hrs. Broke camp as midges swarmed - so much for vitamin b and arnywear though it does seen to work on contact. Struggled back to car, listening to radio to keep my mind off things. Got to Killin, with it's Co-op that doesn't shut until 10pm and dosed up on antacid and milkbased food. I'm off to tomorrow's meeting place to sleep in car in case i'm fit enough to hike.