Wednesday 29 June 2011

Ticked Off


If you hadn't guessed from my previous post, we are in Norway.

There are hundreds of wild blueberry bushes in the forest behind the house we are staying in, all covered in tiny purple berries that taste much sharper than the cultivated variety, but with a much more intense flavour. They were a source of amazement to R&S, who would have quite happily eaten nothing but blueberries from the moment they were weaned.

It turns out that the forest floor is not just covered in blueberries! Our afternoon in mother nature's larder was quickly forgotten at bedtime, when S discovered that he had bought home an unwelcome guest (one that had thwarted the longsleeves and tucked in trousers too), a tic, happily embedded just below his belly button! I was somewhat grateful for being in the middle of nowhere at the noise he then created at the indignation of being a meal for something, and the horror at the thought that this thing needed removing! Unfortunately my trusty pair of Bodyshop tweezers had been left at home (please don't grow eyebrows!), but desperate times call for desperate measures, and a pair of hastily found fishing pliers proved suitable for the "operation" once the host had been pinned down (and had his eyes sheilded!)! Accompanied by the soundtrack of both children wailing (have I mentioned how dramatic his sister can be!?!), we removed the beast by gripping it as close to the skin as possible, and pulling it upwards until it eventually released its firm hold. S went to bed absolutely furious that we hadn't called him an ambulance, and his sister went to bed after repeated assurances that her brother wasn't going to die! I will keep an eye out for the tell tale rash associated with Lymes Disease over the next few weeks. You have to wonder at the point of some creatures, but then the same could be said about us I suppose!

16 comments:

  1. OO, I hate tics! We all love going to visit my partner's family in Sweden. They live in a forest, and we are always blighted by the little pests!

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  2. Very enjoyable entry, Emma. So, are you going to visit Preikestolen, maybe from a safe distance?

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  3. that sounds quite horrendous for both of you, i can just imagine what my ones would be like if i had to do it. hope he is okay and no rash appears..

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  4. Elle & Belle, there are great little pen things you can buy now to remove them. I got one today!! :)

    @Lijn thank you! As for Preikestolen, I am not sure I would be able to move if I ventured out onto that. I would probably have to be rescued by helicopter or something :)

    @Frankie - thank you, keeping a close eye on the bite... Think he has just about recovered from his trauma :)

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  5. Sounds like you are in my neighbourhood if you are close to Prekestolen. Where are you?

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  6. Not close to Prekestolen unfortunately, the closest town to us is Risør which is lovely! Emma :)

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  7. i hope that he at least got a plaster after all of that commotion! ;)
    here's to slow growing eyebrows...
    take care

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  8. Thank you Sheonad! Thankfully I got away without needing a plaster, as I haven't packed any, they will have to go on the list for next time! As for the eyebrows, I could always use the fishing pliers I suppose! :)

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  9. I commented on this yesterday but it didn't reach you, unlike the little blighter that caused all the trouble for you and your family!

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  10. Thanks Trish, silly Blogger! It seems to be working OK through google chrome though as I found out this morning!... Hope you are well! Emma :)

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  11. Very jealous of the blueberries. Norway sounds fantastic! xx

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  12. Thanks mummymummymum...I would really recommend it as a place to visit, it's gorgeous! :)

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  13. Thanks for stopping by Peppercorns in my Pocket, and for your lovely comment, Emma. I just had a read around your blog, and really enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to reading through your older posts :)

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  14. Thanks Pia... Likewise! Emma :)

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  15. Hey Emma love the blueberries and your blog xxx

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  16. Thank you Baby Mama, glad you like it :)

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I love your comments - thank you :)

 
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