*Soop's kitcheners*

nanand man and

Do listen to all the advice you`re getting Soop, ignore McSporran`s manly protests!

Oh dear soop. Please ring the NHS numbers you've been given if you haven't done so already. If it is a tick bite, antibiotics should sort it out smartish, as others have said.

Just another thought. Possibly a spider bite? They can cause nasty allergic reactions.

I found a tick on my 'mons pubis' a couple of years ago. I'd been out and about in the fields. Goodness knows how it got there as I wear very sensible knickers. Head buried and impossible to get out. Shriek!! Dashed off to our local surgery and had it excised. Course of antibiotics followed to be on the safe side.

Flippin' heck, soop. Let us know what you do and ignore MacSporran he is only a nanand can't help it!

soop I have found out quite a bit about lyme,s disease, living where I do, as far as I know the rash does not occur where the tick bit, it comes in other parts of the body. If it is that, which I sincerely hope it isn't, please seek medical advice. I know of a few people who have had it, and with antibiotics it usual clears up quickly if treat early. Please don't think I am in anyway trying to scare you, but it does need seeing to, just in case

You don't want to spend the weekend worrying about something that may be nothing or alternatively something that needs dealt with now and be annoyed with yourselves for leaving it.

Do go or call that number, soop. My brother had Lyme disease and was unwell for months. Sooner it's treated the better.

I hope it's not Lyme disease but do tell MacSp he's to do as he's told for once!

Soop. In your place, I would phone NHS Scotland immediately. Either of the two numbers I gave you. They will make a qualified diagnosis and any necessary arrangement for immediate healthcare jf they deem it necessary.
I would also ignore what your dear husband is saying. It's only a phone call and it will give you peace of mind.

soop, I think what everyone's advising is the way to go with this. Is there not an A&E in Campbeltown that you could nip him down to? Or is it at Lochgilphead? Just for reassurance if nothing else?

Soop I really think you should get some proper medical advice before then. Ring the Scottish NHS advisory number yourself, ignore what Mr MacSporran thinks. Men can be so complacent about such stuff.

I am well aware that you do not have an A & E department locally but if it worsens, I would give that a thought if it is within driving distance because Monday is a long way away. Specifically watch the tum and thighs to make sure that there is no redness or swelling there. If those areas worsen (or the lower spine), you should call out the on call GP. He may need a course of antibiotics

My A&E is only 2 miles away, it is a different world.

Sorry! I'm in a bit of a dither.

I've Googled Lyme's Disease because I suspect that is what MacS may be heading for. He is so "laid back" and says that, if it's worse by Monday, he'll return to the GP. I've just looked at the raised, inflamed, area and it is most certainly spreading. The photo relating to the rash is, I'm certain, the very same. How come the doc didn't comment.

I've Googled Lyme's Disease because I suspect that is what MacS may be heading for. He is so "laid back" and says that, if it's worse by Monday, he'll return to the GP. I've just looked at the raised, inflamed, area and it is most certainly spreading. The photo relating to the rash is, I'm certain, the very same. How come the doc didn't comment.

Thank you for your helpful comments. Will report on further developments soon as...

So do I. My mother went to a wedding at the edge of the New Forest. Photographs were taken among the trees and bushes. After she came home she developed a round patch on her shin which got bigger and went all kinds of colours, then the skin broke and became an ulcer which bled.

I'm not being alarmist, just saying that McSporran should be deaving the GP now, so as to stop it in its tracks if it is a tick bite.

Ummm - has he been cavorting naked in the undergrowth? (and if so, who with, I hear you wonder)

I agree with Agus.

Go back to GP Soop Tell him of further symptoms and your suspicion that it may be a tick. Is his temperature raised? I'm thinking possible infection. If GP not available. Phone NHS Scotland. The old number is being phased out but still in use 08454 24 24 24 or new number is 111. I used old number last weekend. Could be nothing but no point in worrying and it's best to have peace of mind.

A very warm smiley hello to my lovely Granspals. 'Tis a wet and cool-ish day in bonnie Kintyre. The midges are sheltering in the long grass.

I asked my son...were you parachuting for real...or were you paragliding when you landed in a tree top, somewhere in France? He confirmed that he was paragliding when he landed at the top of a 30ft pine tree. Was stranded for an hour...rescued by helicopter. That's my boy! Likes to live dangerously. Tut!

MacSporran asked me to look at a very angry 2" raised, red sore at the base of his spine. It appears to have four puncture marks and I persuaded him to show the doc yesterday. GP doesn't know what has caused the flare-up. Says to return if it worsens. Today, I took a further look and I'm convinced that it is larger and more inflamed. MacS says that his tummy area and upper thighs feels tender [as if he's getting flu]...I'm wondering, was he bitten by a tick when he was busy cutting wild vegetation? If so, the tick must have been a monster . I know that in the grand scheme of things, my worry is petty but, if any of my pals can calm me down a bit, I'd be really grateful.

I can assure you, you would like him too. DD1 likes his music too and at one point in the evening I phoned to tell her he was in our company, she thought I was pulling her leg and when I told him, he took my phone and had a lovely chat with her. All sorts of people stopped at our table to say hi to him and I was beginning to feel like a bit of a celebrity myself. . It must have been tiring for him but he was pleasant to everyone.

Agus, I love that "home made" video. We like his music.

I met Paolo Nutini in a restaurant in Glasgow Grannyknot and he ended up sitting at our table. What a lovely guy. He told us about a visit to a school in New York and all the children sang New Shoes. This was not long after it was released and he was humbled to think all these people new his music and liked it.

I am now singing it

Um! Ah! Rafa was in blistering form. No matter how hard I tried to inspire him, it was not to be Andy's match. Hey ho! As bags would say.

We've been into and admired the new wee hoos on the orchard plot (the plot we hoped to purchase) and, it is a very smart, two-bedroom holiday home, built in the factory and transported and erected on site. The sun shone through the windows and the view across the farmland to the distant Paps of Jura was beautiful. Well done to the company who were responsible for the manufacture and build. A remarkable achievement.

Enjoy your cruise, Galen...think of us from time to time

Seems to be the day for Happy songs...

gk Great link. No new shoes but smiling.