My wife and I had a memorable day out at the International Horse Trials at Blenheim Palace today. At one of the many trade stalls on the show ground I was accosted by a guy who make belts and buckles (Buckle and Hide): "There's a brave man," said he. I thought at first he was referring to the kilt but no, it was because I was barelegged (in sandals) with the kilt. "The deer fleas will get you," he forecast. Well it is true that the Horse Trials are staged on what must be the deer park of the Palace but I'd never heard of their fleas being partial to a bit of human flesh before. "Oh no," I said, "I grew up with Scottish midges and must be immune by now." (Best I could do and I could see he was not convinced.)

It was very breezy today. A particular pleasure in my 11oz 7yd PV casual - and, with the exception of a slight Marilyn moment coming down some steps, a completely circumspect one too!

But the breeze to my knees got me thinking that it is a well known fact that the said Scottish midges don't come out if the wind speed gets over a few knots. So are the deer fleas that much more desperate that they have to leap into gale force winds? I took comfort from the thought that they wouldn't but I just wonder if I'm right?

No itches so far... but you never know