On Friday, I had my first encounter with ticks. I was camped in the Rothiemurchus Forest, having a lazy morning. As it was hot, I had only shorts on. Big mistake! Back in the tent, writing my trail diary, I noticed what looked like a splinter in my upper thigh. Using some tweezers from my Swiss Army penknife I pulled it out and to my horror, it was a tick, the first I’d ever encountered.
A cursory examination revealed four other little blighters. Out with the tick lasso and after some contortions they were removed. I then spotted one on my toe still looking for a meal, so I crushed it. Then there was another on my leg that got the same treatment. After a thorough examination with a mirror, I couldn’t spot any more, so I put on my Montane Featherlight pants to provide protection.
On returning home I had a shower, which revealed about fifteen bites. The stupid thing is, I could probably avoided most by wearing trousers and by using the anti-bug spray that I brought with me (Prevent). Camping in the same spot last year I had no problems. Foolishly I thought there was no tick problem. Next time I will be a lot more careful. I’m amazed at how small they are and how difficult to spot. I just hope the aches I can feel are just the product of recent exertions rather than anything more serious.
Posted in miscellany
