Wasps and other pests

What a dreadful morning yesterday!  At about 10.00am my worker went up to the field with his little girl.  There was no school as it was Armistice Day, a public holiday here in France.  He was putting a length of fencing across the part where the hole was allowing the birds through.  He walked round to another part of the veggie plot and disturbed some wasps.  The first I knew was when he arrived at the door saying he and his daughter had been stung.  He is apparently very allergic  and has had severe reactions in the past.  He probably should carry an Epipen, but doesn’t. 

He said they had both been stung and were going home to find something to put on the stings.  I offered to help but he said they’d be fine.   I worried until I telephoned about 90 minutes later.  He had taken Piriton, an antihistamine, and was alright. He had three stings on his neck and one in the middle of his chest. His little girl had been given something by her Mum for the fourteenstings she had on her legs, ear and back. What a dreadful morning for them. We spoke again at the end of the afternoon and no-one was affected seriously thank goodness.

On the talkallergy.com site it says this:

"If you believe you or a family member might be allergic or is developing an allergy, it is advisable to seek the advice of an allergist. Allergic reactions to bee and wasp stings can develop anywhere on the body. The could result in non-life-threatening reactions, such as hives, swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and headaches. But, life-threatening reactions, such as shock, dizziness, unconsciousness, difficulty in breathing, and swelling in the throat, require immediate medical care. Symptoms can begin immediately following the sting or up to 30 minutes later and might last for hours. This reaction is often referred to as anaphylaxis.

An anaphylactic shock needs to be treated immediately, usually with the use of an adrenaline pen injected into the body. People who know they are allergic to stings should carry an adrenaline pen whenever they think they might come into contact with stinging insects. Adrenaline pens are only available on prescription from a doctor."

It has been a very prolific season here for wasps.  There are also loads of them, flies, bees and something like a very large wasp, on the bunches of grapes which I never picked from the vine because of my eating problems. 

I can't believe how big this wasplike thing is.  I was quite frightened getting so close to take the photo.  I think I’ll have to cut the grapes carefully into a bucket and let the hens have them to get the wasps away from the entrance to the utility area.   Normally, I would have been eating at least two bunches grapes a day and they wouldn't be wasting, rotting on the vine.

My nasturtians are covered in caterpillars.  They are the caterpillars of the Cabbage White butterfly and there are loads of them.  I am inundated with wildlife I don't want at the moment.

My log piles, in the part of my garden which my grandson calls the "secret garden" because it's accessed by a door, are covered for winter and are already going down fairly rapidly.  I am always extravagant with firewood but it is my only heating, so that's my excuse. 

This afternoon while shopping, I met three people I haven't seen for ages.  One of them walked over to me later in the car park while I was unloading my shopping and said she hadn't recognised me as I had lost a lot of weight hadn't I?  I explained about the mini gastric bypass and proudly added - yes, five stone.  Always good when someone remarks on being able to see a difference!  I also met a friend who invited me to drinks etc. on Christmas Eve eve.  As my Christmas guests don't arrive until Christmas Eve itself it will be lovely to start the Christmas celebrations earlier.

Three things I like:

1.   Receiving a genuine compliment.

2.   My homemade butternut squash soup.

3.   Writing the last Christmas Card - very early I know - but they're done!