Allotments 4 All

I have a tan in a strange place this year.............as I have spent so much time leaning and bending over, I have an oval shaped patch of brown skin on my back from hips to waist, which looked really strange today when I broke out the cossie and took the boys swimming - outdoor pool, glorious weather, unexpectedly met up with friend and her children - great day and the tan is now more joined up ;D

Anyone else have a gardner's tan?

SMP 1704. My arms are really brown to just above my elbows. I forgot to pack sleeveless tops for my holiday. Today I put a sleeveless top on and the tops of my arms are pure white. If the sun shines tomorrow I am going to sunbathe (or work) in the garden!!
Lorna

I got badly sunburnt on my back a few weeks ago. I'm very fair skinned, so I wore a hat and slapped lots of suncream on my arms, only to get burnt through a T-shirt :o :o :o on my back!

I have a similar shaped tan to you SMP, a strip across the back of my waist where my t-shirt rises up.  Also brown legs from the knees down, but from the feet up as I was wearing boots, so when I put my sandals on, I have  sexy pair of white feet!

This year I have the best tan I've had in years just from working outside.  Everyone in the office is convinced I spend my weekends on the Costas.

My only strange bit is where my clogs stop but as I wear similar shaped slip-ons to work, it doesn't really matter.

;D

Ditto most of the above, cos I'm working outdoors most days, but with the added twist of 2 white bracelet bands and 2 white ankle bands (would be three white bracelet bands but I never wear a watch)...reason? I wear citronella-smelling bracelets on arms and legs which I've got in a variety of colours to co-ordinate with what I'm wearing 8). Keep the biters away a treat. Bought them in NC last year - grandaughter wears them all the time.
If you're allergic to insect bites they're a great help. Easy to make your own.

People keep asking me where I went on holiday as the only white bits left on me are the bits you should not be looking at anyway.

Lishka, more info on the bracelets please? Sounds great!

Yes please more info on the bracelets - do they also work with wasps? Going camping as usual this summer and have nasty rection to wasp stings. Thanks to wasp nest on lotty last year! :'(

Alishka, defo more info on the bracelets - mossies think I'm a walking buffet ... going to Sweden next week and I know I'll get bitten to hell.  My OH will be staying longer than me, as I have a business trip, and he hates it when I leave as they then feast on him - he says I'm the best mossie deterrent to have around  >:( >:(

I had that dark strip along my waistband a few weeks ago (before this last hot spell) - I thought I hadn't washed properly at first!   :-\

Avon Skin So Soft is apparently a great mossie deterent !  I'm going to get some and find out as I'm usually breakfast for the local population.

WOW! I should be on Mastermind & this is my Specialised Subject ;D

First off.....the Avon SSS does work - it can't be advertised as such bcause no lab tests & trials have been done. However! It's only the Original scented one that seems to be the deterrent (praps the mozzies don't like the scent of Jeyes Fluid either? At least, that's what it reminds me of)!

The bracelets/anklets I bought in the Southern States of the USA where biters are Big and Mean and Hungry. Just looked and I'd thrown the packaging away, leaving only the doings in their bubble wraps, so sorry can't supply a brand-name, etc. Mine are plastic-y expandable twirly things (oh! for one of KPs picture-taking machines at this mo!) with a pronounced citronella scent. For me, they had limited success, particularly as the scent abated, so set about trialling some mods.

In Nottingham a few months ago, I came across a shop in the High Street which caters for adventuresome extreme sports...trecking through the jungle, slinding about on the White Stuff, etc.etc. and there I found Lifesystems Expedition 100 Insect Repellent - 100% Deet. £4.99 for 50 ml.
http://www.fieldandtrek.com/product.asp?src=froogle&pf_id=25536&sfile=1&manufacturer_id=LifeSystems&filter_cat=EQUITRAVINSEREPE&cat_id=&cid=XSTTWIWKFA6PWYR28DYX48MXYXIVS5L7&cid=XSTTWIWKFA6PWYR28DYX48MXYXIVS5L7
I put my bracelets in a sandwich bag, squirt the stuff into it, close the bag, toss the things around in it, and I'm ready to go.
The Deet stuff can be sprayed on fabric & I intend to treat a headband cos I'm getting a lot of bites on my scalp and neck.
I'm sure that you can make your own or buy something from somewhere like that Accessories chain of shops and treat them in the same way.
If you find you're allergic to Deet, you can buy citronella oil at the chemists' and treat your bands in the same way.

Hope this helps - anyway, might spark off some ideas of your own.

Cheers!

PS.....was it the URL that made my post thaaaaaaaaaaat wide? :o

Sorry :-[

Lish I am horribly allergic to biting beasts and have the scars to prove it, however I also detest the smell of Citronella..... Haven't smoked for many years and have no pipe-smoking friend in proximity to protect me. Help................ :o ::)

Deet doesn't smell of citronella & it's so much more effective too.

Sounds good? What is it exactly? ???

check it out here? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEET

Mmmm... maybe not so good? :o I have enough trouble keeping the brain cells together as it is. ;)

Citronella is something that's been used for years in fly repellants for horses, unfortunately it's been banned this year!!  GRRRR I've always made my own and although it doesn't smell wonderful it does work.