Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:34 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

:lol:
Och aye the noo, was the madges a meant!

I did the WHW about that time of year, and with plenty of DEET it was very tolerable, but I was told that later on in the year, it becomes many factors worse. Relying on those assurances, from folk that sounded as if they know, I've never actually tried July-August!

But at that time of year we did enjoy it, there were only a couple of spots where the midges were really bad. One time we woke up thinking it was quite dark, turns out about a squillion of the buggers had settled on the tent!

Just from my own experience I wouldn't put anybody off doing it early doors, we right enjoyed it.

Aye main problem is if the winter is mild then it doesn't kill the buggers off meaning load more of them, the main time they are biting is when it is warm and damp.

As you say there are a few quite defined spots where they are most active, we found Avon Skin So Soft better than other repellents, YMMV.

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:58 pm  

Big Graeme wrote:

You'll need lots of Avon Skin So Soft for the WHW mate, them buggers will eat you alive.

I did it two years ago in June with a workmate and one of his relatives and we hardly saw a single midgie, I've still got an unused bottle Jungle Formula. I'm sure I've seen people recommending Avon so soft before, I might just take some. Thanks for the advice.

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Great shout. Are you going with full packs/tents, day bags or what? Also in May you should not be too bad with the mossies though pick up some neat DEET wherever you can find it, the general store in Tyndrum has some under the counter

We're using a mix of hostels, b & b and one hotel (Kingshouse). We will be using day-packs and paying Travel-Lite to take most of our gear.

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 2:04 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Also in May you should not be too bad with the mossies though pick up some neat DEET wherever you can find it, the general store in Tyndrum has some under the counter

DEET is good but can damage waterproof clothing, hard plastics and tents.

We normally walk Munros Nov/Dec or spring to avoid the little bu99ers. I got caught out once prior to a mountain biking/walking trek. In the few seconds it took us to unload the bikes we were covered, and I mean covered. They were like a second skin. We had to ride like hell to get them off. If I walk during mossie season I take a lightweight mesh over jacket and hood. We sometimes ridgewalk and lightweight camp, It's no fun trying to cook your evening meal whilst something else is dining on you

The wife's booked the hols this year, apparently we are going to the Caribbean, so it looks like I'll have to dust off the snorkelling gear.

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:47 pm  

JerryChicken wrote:

... Good luck to anyone who is young, has no home ties and has money to spend on world travel, do it, because you won't get a chance later...

Funnily enough...

A combination of fear and lack of money stopped me traveling when I was younger. I'd get the brochures, and gaze wistfully at them for hours, but never do anything about it. As I said, partly a lack of money, but also fear.

Now I've just recently hit the big 50. And when tb did, three years ago, we did a special trip. So the big question for the last 12 months or so has been what would MY big trip be.

Well, I'm going to travel on my own. Finally. I feel that I actually need to do it – I need to prove, to myself, that I can. So, in spring this year, I'm going to toddle off on my own for a week to 10 days. First part is planned already pretty tightly, but the rest is not.

I'm going to go to Germany and ... wander.

I'm both looking forward to it – and bloody terrified already.

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:53 pm  

Interesting to see so many bemoaning austerity but planning foreign holidays already. Laughable.

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:55 pm  

Mintball wrote:

I'm both looking forward to it – and bloody terrified already.

Why all the fear of going abroad - xenophobia?

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:01 pm  

Dally wrote:

Interesting to see so many bemoaning austerity but planning foreign holidays already. Laughable.

Is your inability to comprehend the idea of empathy long standing, Dally?

Dally wrote:

Why all the fear of going abroad - xenophobia?

Not remotely. Just the fear that was, in many ways, taught me by my parents. That's what C/conservatives do, in my experience.

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:15 pm  

Dally wrote:

Interesting to see so many bemoaning austerity but planning foreign holidays already. Laughable.

Yeah its an absolute travesty that we've had to wait for someone to die in the family for us to inherit the sort of money it costs for just two flights to the US (staying with family). Next time I'll default on the mortgage and use my state handouts to abroad.

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:24 pm  

Hull White Star wrote:

Yeah its an absolute travesty that we've had to wait for someone to die in the family for us to inherit the sort of money it costs for just two flights to the US (staying with family). Next time I'll default on the mortgage and use my state handouts to abroad.

Now calm down HWS. Dally thinks that, if you believe in fairness in society, that means that you should – I dunno – volunteer to give up some of your own money to support those on, say, lower pay. Not that their employer should do so, but you should. That's the real mark of believing in any idea of fairness. And if you don't do this, you're a hypocrite.

So either Dally himself does that, or he doesn't believe in any idea of fairness. I think you have to make up your own mind on that – and, indeed, on the intellect that effectively posits such an idea.

Re: HOLIDAY 2013 : Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:36 pm  

Mintball wrote:

Is your inability to comprehend the idea of empathy long standing, Dally?

Not remotely. Just the fear that was, in many ways, taught me by my parents. That's what C/conservatives do, in my experience.

All you need remember that (in my experience and that of others I have spoken to) is that a German trait ("generalisation", I know) is being a bully. If they start taking the Mickey just stand up to them - they invariably back down.