Bloomin Midges !

[shadytree]

Just got back from a cracking trip around Scotland.
Everything was hunky dory, but what's with the bloomin Midges. Little got me every time I stepped out of the car. My father who was with me, didn't get a single bite. This rather narked me
At the last count I had about 40 per arm. Is this normal or am I prime midge tucker ?
Is it a certain type of skin or smell they go for, or just because I'm English ?

Decided next time I go to Scotland will be out of Midge season !!
Rant over!

[ricardo g]

All you need is a good midge net to cover your head and the a little repellant for your arms... dont let them spoil your trip and fight back.

[GetCarter]

I find flame-throwers fairly useful.

Just when you thought it was safe to get out of the car...

[mty4000]

I know what you mean, I was up there is an open-top car a few weeks ago. At least in a car you can get some speed up and then its them that need to stay out of your way as the front of my car and windscreen testified - when I got back to London it was like a midgie masacre had taken place.

Back in my mountain bike days (younger and fitter) they were an absolute menace and there was little respite when trudging through a fetid bog on the moors. Canoeing was even worse....

Re the car, get it cleaned sharpish - I had my car valeted at the weekend and i can still see some of the gunge from the blighters!

Score: Me 2, Midgies 2 on balance I think.

[GetCarter]

In case anyone is that interested... Mrs Get put a page up on the Torridon site last year to warn and inform >> www.stevecarter.com/ansh/midge.htm

Steve

[gdr]

They definitely find foreigners more tasty. I am originally from Inverness area (ie East Coast) and that is foreign enough for the West Coaster midgees, but my wife who is English gets bitten much more. The locals don't appear to suffer as badly.

[ricardo g]

The forestry commission workers are all swearing by Avon moisturiser now as an awesome repellant, contains woodspice or something similar. I have now heard many people from rallies about the country agreeing with this and everyone seems to be using it.

I have to say though that when up in the highlands last week we noticed that the foreigners were covered in red blotched all over any areas of uncovered skin whereas my arms only have one or two bites on them from a whole week and I only used the repellant once but I did have a midge net for my face and head which I count as essential for being out and about!

[shadytree]

ricardo g said:

The forestry commission workers are all swearing by Avon moisturiser

Hard work, working in the forest, but bet they have great skin

I actually stopped off at this waterfall just outside Fort William for a few photos. This ranger guy repairing a bench had his midge mask on. Looked like Darth Maul or something. Still bet he'd have the last laugh if he had a look at the state of my arms

[ricardo g]

By any chance was that on Loch Lochy? Met a forestry worker around that area and had a wee chat about the colour of signposts... apparently people are missing the brown ones so they (management) want to make them liliac in colour. Interesting



We may look like twats but we were midge free twats ... the other lad had taken refuge in the tent.

[fergusd]

ricardo g said:

The forestry commission workers are all swearing by Avon moisturiser now as an awesome repellant, contains woodspice or something similar. I have now heard many people from rallies about the country agreeing with this and everyone seems to be using it.

And it does work very, very well . . . and perhaps much better for you than spraying insecticide on your skin . . . ;-)

We have a bottle in each car so we can't forget it ;-)

Fd