I was a little lax with sunscreen application on the weekend, and various parts of me, including two big patches of skin on my knees, are now a lovely shade of pink. I have been slathering myself with moisturiser in an attempt to prevent peeling, but I’m not sure how successful that plan is going to be. “Never mind,” my father said to me. “You’re old enough that it doesn’t really matter.” He’s referring to a study he read somewhere that says that sunburn which occurs during the childhood years, up to about age 18, is the major cause of skin cancer. I think the study looked at people who emigrated from England to Australia at various ages, and concluded that people who spent their childhoods in England and then moved to Australia had the same rate of skin cancer as people who stayed in England, whereas people who moved to Australia as children had much higher rates of skin cancer. “Of course it’s an established scientific fact!” he tells me when I question him. I don’t think it really gives me a get-out-of-skin-cancer-free card though. And sunburn feels most unpleasant.
While driving the boat on the weekend (and toasting my knees with the lovely Queensland sun), I felt an enormous thunk, and looked behind me to see a turtle swirling in the boat’s wake. I was horrified, and drove around slowly in circles trying to see if it had floated up to the surface. We couldn’t find it anywhere, so hopefully it was swimming deeper down wishing that it could hit me with a propeller. I felt awful - it’s the first time I’ve hit an animal while in a vehicle, and it had to be a turtle and not something I wouldn’t mind killing, like a toad.
Speaking of which, I trotted out to the potted herb garden on the weekend, and scooped up one of my little lavender plants which had been dug out of its pot. I could see a glimpse of brown through the soil left in the pot and, cursing the cat which had obviously dug out my plant in order to poo in the pot, I tapped it upside down on the ground to dislodge it. Rather than the small cat poo which I expected, a large toad fell out of the pot by my foot, looking disgruntled at having to give up its nice cool hiding spot. I gave a startled squeal, and responded to the Prince’s enquiring shout that there was a toad, a toad had dug up my lavender plant. I probably should have killed it, but I’m not terribly good at that sort of thing. Well, except when it involves boat propellers, apparently.
8 Comments
23 January, 2007 at 1:50 am
Oh, I’m so sorry. That reminds me of the day my husband and I were driving home from Pennsylvania and had gotten slightly lost, when we hit a rabbit. I felt awful. And I’ve eaten rabbit, but it felt worse to mangle the poor thing.
I hope that the turtle just got a ding on his shell and went away, wanting to bite a human somewhere sensitive, and just generally out of sorts with the world.
I, too, sunburn badly, which is why I’m a big believer in large cotton print dresses. Middle of summer, and I’m the only one in long sleeves, high neck, and a long skirt, but I’m not getting sunburnt. I hate having to remember sunscreen, so I have a summer wardrobe of hats and long sleeved cotton and linen dresses.
23 January, 2007 at 3:30 am
You are never old enough not to worry about sunburn. I’ve had 4 melanomas removed so I am always vigilant. Use that sunscreen!
23 January, 2007 at 5:29 am
That sunburn theory doesn’t bode well for me - I grew up in South Africa in the 70s, long before anyone believed in sunblock. I do however, slather my children head to toe before they go outside in summer, so perhaps they’ll be okay.
Sorry to hear of your encounters with wildlife. Poor turtle and poor you. Don’t know how sorry I feel for the toad, seeing he got of your lavender plant!
23 January, 2007 at 6:22 am
I’m sorry to hear about your sunburn too - and I think covering up with some long sleeves and long loose pants might be a good idea. It is hard to remember to reapply sunscreen when you are out for a long time.
Regarding the toads - we have been busy here reducing our population. The most humane method of disposal is to put them in the freezer. Then you will need to remember to bury it before you are looking for something to cook!!
24 January, 2007 at 10:28 am
Yes, I need to get myself some long-sleeved long-legged summer things, PF. And I too hope the turtle is lurking somewhere, plotting its revenge.
I’ll try and remember in future, Barbara!
Oh, no-one needs to feel sorry for the toad - I’m not sure what their status is in other countries, but here they’re definitely a nasty pest.
Mama, can’t I leave all the toad culling to you? You’re far better at it than I am! I don’t like them wiggling when I pick them up.
27 January, 2007 at 4:51 am
I’m reporting you to P.E.T.A. immediately you turtle-thumping-toad-killer, you!
29 January, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I’d love to know more about your boating excursions, since we are boaters ourselves. It’s the best hobby ever, isn’t it?
Do you boat in salt water or fresh and how big is your boat? Also is the engine in or outboard?
30 January, 2007 at 9:28 pm
No, Cat, no! I promise to do better in the future!
Our local river is rather brackish TB - we haven’t been out to sea yet, and I’m not sure our boat is suited to it. It’s a 5 metre tinny - I’m not sure what you would call it - it’s like a metal chug around boat, and it has a rather small outboard motor. But it’s plenty big enough for two, and we can get it up on the plane with two people in it, and go whizzing off down the river. I’d like to go to an excursion to the mouth of the river one day, and then we’ll see how it goes out at sea!
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