Warning for France etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EvansofSprot]

You dont have to go to the Continent to feed the bugs, or Scotland for that matter. Last June we spent 2 nights at CC Grin Low, Buxton and we really suffered. My wife dotted every bite on my arms & legs with cream then gave up counting at about 120 and she still had a leg & half an arm to go!! It took well over a week for them to subside. What we found surprising was how small they were, just came straight through the flyscreens, I did think of taking the van back to the dealers to complain that the screens were "unfit for purpose" and demand an exchange for a better set!!

Tankie

There are some very tiny flies in France - I think the French call them 'Pepper flies' that appear at dusk and bite 'very hard' if you are wearing just shorts!

However the pain soon dissipates leaving no mark.

 

[EvansofSprot]

I'm reposting this here as I put it in the wrong place!

'There are some very tiny flies in France - I think the French call them 'Pepper flies' that appear at dusk and bite 'very hard' if you are wearing just shorts!

However the pain soon dissipates leaving no mark.'

 

[Vic_5039745]

Never experienced this in France even when we've stayed on the shores of a lake (Les Tours, St Amans des Cots) July/August.

Isn't it common knowledge that these little blighters like static or slow flowing fresh water to inhabit?

I believe that Kielder Water in Northumbria has a bit of a reputation as do the Scottish Lochs in high summer.

Vic

 

[LRG]

Cris you were v thoughtful to post this topic. Some of us are v susceptible to bites & stings. In N Brittany a few yrs ago I was bitten by sand flies - the site was on the dunes - & I was v ill with an infected bite. Mossies make a mossie-line for me but less so for the husband. He is wasp prey though!

In any first aid kit even in GB we now take anti-histamine tabs as husband has bad reaction to wasp & bee stings. We take citronella candles and body rub as I prefer natural products but resort to anthisan if bitten. Our new to us van purchased 3 yrs ago had full screens which proved a god-send.

Finally, the v worst bites I have ever had were at Minsmere in Suffolk 6 yrs ago from horse-flies. The pain, swelling and fever were unbelievable. I was in bed, delerious with a lower leg like the Elephant Man for 4 days. This despite anthisan cream administered at the time of the bite. I should have carried the anti-histamine tabs. I carry these at all times now.

Lorraine (Bailey)