Archev's adventures in the Berlingo

My battery heated gillet worked well like that spread over me in my sleeping bag in the roof tent on my MG5 one frosty morning in Glen Nevis - worked a treat. The wee rechargeable pocket power bank kept me warm from about 2:00 am until around 7:30am.
So the worry is - if I charge the car with grid power which of course could come from anywhere. Then I charge the Vtoman power bank from the car as I drive to wherever and subsequently charge the pocket power bank from the Vtoman - will I need to chop as much firewood to fuel the campfire to keep the midges at bay 🤪
Those "Blacklight" insecticuters work great for the mozzies, not sure about midges though ..... are they the same thing over there as they are over here, tiny little sand flies that lay their eggs under the skin? The itchy lump doesn't come up until a week or so after you were bitten, but it comes up about the size of 5 cent coin.
A sixpence, still keep a few for the Christmas pudding, but the kids want a $1 to buy them back for next yr .... cheeky little buggers, gave up on the shilling coins, they wanted folding paper money to redeem those .......

So, if your Midges are the same, what do you use to keep them off you? Tropical strength RID in the pinky purple bottle seems to be about the only thing over this side, but it stinks so bad you end up sitting on your own if you can't convince everyone around the campfire to apply some at the same time ;)

T1 Terry
 
so my feet hang out the end :rolleyes: Wasn't a problem while it was summer, but winter is officially here now and the feet sure know when the 0*C hits at 5am ..... I've adjusted the electric blanket so the last of the coils are at the end of the mattress, drag the frozen feet back onto the leccy blanket and defrost them ..... seems to work much better than putting them in the middle of the wife's back

The amazing thing about this EV forum is the level of detail one can learn about new techniques for problems that you didn't even know existed!
 
Those "Blacklight" insecticuters work great for the mozzies, not sure about midges though ..... are they the same thing over there as they are over here, tiny little sand flies that lay their eggs under the skin? The itchy lump doesn't come up until a week or so after you were bitten, but it comes up about the size of 5 cent coin.
A sixpence, still keep a few for the Christmas pudding, but the kids want a $1 to buy them back for next yr .... cheeky little buggers, gave up on the shilling coins, they wanted folding paper money to redeem those .......

So, if your Midges are the same, what do you use to keep them off you? Tropical strength RID in the pinky purple bottle seems to be about the only thing over this side, but it stinks so bad you end up sitting on your own if you can't convince everyone around the campfire to apply some at the same time ;)

T1 Terry
I have an array of potions and sprays to hand in the car door pocket. I find “skin so soft” works quite well there are quite a few others available. Citronella oil or candles burning in the vicinity works OK and wood fire smoke helps but is difficult for you to survive if the wind changes and the smoke fills your eyes and lungs simultaneously 😱
The only absolutely certain way with all these small flying , biting scunners is to tap each one firmly on the head with a 14 pound mash hammer but beware - you could be there for a while 😀
There are larger industrial size electrocution devices which are quite effective as long as you keep emptying them (about a bucket of fried midge per hour should clear an area sufficient for four point two people to sit outside in close proximity and in a relatively low state of panic).
 
I have an array of potions and sprays to hand in the car door pocket. I find “skin so soft” works quite well there are quite a few others available. Citronella oil or candles burning in the vicinity works OK and wood fire smoke helps but is difficult for you to survive if the wind changes and the smoke fills your eyes and lungs simultaneously 😱
The only absolutely certain way with all these small flying , biting scunners is to tap each one firmly on the head with a 14 pound mash hammer but beware - you could be there for a while 😀
There are larger industrial size electrocution devices which are quite effective as long as you keep emptying them (about a bucket of fried midge per hour should clear an area sufficient for four point two people to sit outside in close proximity and in a relatively low state of panic).
For definitive information on the Scottish Midge look up Kenneth McKellar’s (no close relation) poem /song :-
themidges333_001
That should make you fear and respect the wee creatures in equal measure. 🫣
 
Last edited:
For definitive information on the Scottish Midge look up Kenneth McKellar’s (no close relation) poem /song :-
themidges333_001
That should make you fear and respect the wee creatures in equal measure. 🫣
They talk about slappy them, that sounds more like mosquitoes. Australian sandflies are about the size of a pinhead, you don't know you've been attacked until days later. Severe attacks, generally while standing in the sand fishing or walking through the grasses growing on the sand dunes, can end up as ulcerations in older people and those with poor circulation. The attacks are usually below the knee unless you fall over in the grassy sandhills, then the reaction can be that bad it requires a course of antihistamines to control the body's reaction to them .... as painful as it is, the best fix for sandfly bites is drowning them in metho ... get someone else to hold the bottle, it will spray everywhere as you bounce off the roof otherwise .....

Australia, where everything is out to get you, from sandflies to mozzies with Ross River Fever Ross River virus infection or Dangue Fever Fact sheets - Dengue fact sheet. March flies that actually tear out a small piece of flesh in a very painful bite, the standard house fly that just tries to get you to slap yourself in the face or ear, spiders, snakes, any number of things that live in the ocean or fresh water, even the kangaroos will do you a nasty if you mess with a buck's ladies .... or if you are just in his territory .... but it's a lovely place otherwise :LOL:

T1 Terry
 
They talk about slappy them, that sounds more like mosquitoes, Australian sandflies are about the size of a pinhead, you don't know you've been attacked until days later. Serve attacks, generally while standing in the sand fishing or walking through the grasses growing on the sand dunes, can end up as ulcerations in older people and those with poor circulation. The attacks are usually below the knee unless you fall over in the grassy sandhills, then the reaction can be that bad it requires a course of antihistamines to control the bodies reaction to them .... as painful as it is, the best fix for sandfly bites is drowning them in metho ... get someone else to hold the bottle, it will spray everywhere are you bounce off the roof otherwise .....

Australia, where everything is out to get you, from sandflies to mozzies with Ross River Fever Ross River virus infection or Dangue Fever Fact sheets - Dengue fact sheet. March flies that actually tear out a small piece of flesh in a very painful bite, the standard house fly that just tries to get you to slap yourself in the face or ear, spiders, snakes, any number of things that live in the ocean or fresh water, even the kangaroos will do you a nasty if you mess with a buck's ladies .... or if you are just in his territory .... but it's a lovely place otherwise :LOL:

T1 Terry
Aye, sounds tame by comparison 🤣 midges are tiny but kill one and there’s a cloud of them the size of Australia behind it. Aggression is futile 🤣🤣
 
Midges don't lay eggs under people's skin. They bite and suck interstitial fluid, and then you come up in a horrific allergic reaction. I believe there are some people who are not allergic to midgie-spit, but they are very few and far between.

When I was in the Lake District I asked if it was true that Culicoides impunctatans doesn't trouble the area, and was assured that was the case. I still find it hard to believe. Must be something about the habitat.

I've moved the posts about OVO to the thread started about this by the other member who has had the same experience.

 
Midges don't lay eggs under people's skin. They bite and suck interstitial fluid, and then you come up in a horrific allergic reaction. I believe there are some people who are not allergic to midgie-spit, but they are very few and far between.

When I was in the Lake District I asked if it was true that Culicoides impunctatans doesn't trouble the area, and was assured that was the case. I still find it hard to believe. Must be something about the habitat.

I've moved the posts about OVO to the thread started about this by the other member who has had the same experience.

There has to be some good news eh ?
Clouds must blow over periodically with even just a tinge of silver round the edges right?
Well I just checked my premium bond account and find that I’ve just won three prizes this month 🤩
So my tailgate tent was “free”. 👍
 
OK so last night's charge is the last with OVO I think. So before I fill with a fresh charge from Octopus I think I’ll purge the old stuff out of the Berlingo’s system. I can’t locate a drain plug on the battery so I shall have to use the right hand pedal. Apparently working it vigorously can help vacate the power reserve quickly (aye I know, it’s a Berlingo, but all things are relative) 🤪🤪

All right stop sniggering at the back there, I’m just dreaming up an excuse to go for a wee trip.
Checking around I see there’s a classic car show tomorrow at Thirlestane Castle over at Lauder. Something like 1200 vehicles. That’ll do for me, it’s a bit shy of fifty miles each way so that’s going to empty half the battery 🤩
If I go prepared for foul weather down to the waterproof sealskin socks it’ll surely turn out nice so that could be the plan I reckon. There’s usually food trucks aplenty so lunch might be something like a hog roast or an Aberdeen Angus beef roll - och it’s sounding perfect already.
And I can encourage them all to go electric before performing a hasty retreat 🤣🤣
 
OK so last nights charge is the last with OVO I think. So before I fill with a fresh charge from Octopus I think I’ll purge the old stuff out of the Berlingo’s system. I can’t locate a drain plug on the battery so I shall have to use the right hand pedal. Apparently working it vigorously can help vacate the power reserve quickly (aye I know, it’s a Berlingo, but all things are relative) 🤪🤪

All right stop sniggering at the back there, I’m just dreaming up an excuse to go for a wee trip.
Checking around I see there’s a classic car show tomorrow at Thirlestane Castle over at Lauder. Something like 1200 vehicles. That’ll do for me, it’s a bit shy of fifty miles each way so that’s going to empty half the battery 🤩
If I go prepared for foul weather down to the waterproof sealskin socks it’ll surely turn out nice so that could be the plan I reckon. There’s usually food trucks aplenty so lunch might be something like a hog roast or an Aberdeen Angus beef roll - och it’s sounding perfect already.
And I can encourage them all to go electric before performing a hasty retreat 🤣🤣

Lauder? That's getting a bit tempting. Do you have a link to the details of the event?
 
Yeah that forecast is a bit of a pain but that’s where my master plan comes into play. If I go prepared for diabolical weather it invariably ends up beautiful and I’ll moan about being weighed down by excess clothing 😫
And of course if I’m wrong then at least I’m properly dressed for it and moan in the traditional Scots way 😩
So either way I’ll be happy - moaning 😂
 
Yeah that forecast is a bit of a pain but that’s where my master plan comes into play. If I go prepared for diabolical weather it invariably ends up beautiful and I’ll moan about being weighed down by excess clothing 😫
And of course if I’m wrong then at least I’m properly dressed for it and moan in the traditional Scots way 😩
So either way I’ll be happy - moaning 😂

It does look nice, and only an hour away. I'll maybe plug Caliban in this evening just in case I decide to go.
 
Lovely country. Helped by some of my forebears ploughing and tending it. Heading that way in two or three weeks myself.

Mine too, I believe. Great-grandfather was a jeweller in Ayr and I have an old grandfather clock with the name "Thomas Logan, Maybole" on it. Grandmother's middle name was Logan so there is a connection although I'm not exactly sure what.
 
Mine too, I believe. Great-grandfather was a jeweller in Ayr and I have an old grandfather clock with the name "Thomas Logan, Maybole" on it. Grandmother's middle name was Logan so there is a connection although I'm not exactly sure what.
My Grandad ploughed his way from the Maidens where he was brought up through Maybole and over to Coylton where he met and married my Granny, a miss Kerr from Cumnock who had Logan relatives round about Patna and Drongan. Grandad and Granny ploughed a furrow then up to Saltcoats where my Dad was born. My Great Grandfather was probably known as Archorse because I can’t imagine he had an ev - but they’d all have been fascinated by one 🤩
 
My Grandad ploughed his way from the Maidens where he was brought up through Maybole and over to Coylton where he met and married my Granny, a miss Kerr from Cumnock who had Logan relatives round about Patna and Drongan. Grandad and Granny ploughed a furrow then up to Saltcoats where my Dad was born. My Great Grandfather was probably known as Archorse because I can’t imagine he had an ev - but they’d all have been fascinated by one 🤩

We could be related!

My paternal grandmother was Jessie Logan Lyon. She married Walter Kerr of Millport.
Jessie's mother was called Jane Carson, and Jane's father was the jeweller in Ayr. I don't know where the Logan in my grandmother's name came from but it ought to be from one of her grandparents. My family has tended to adhere to the Scottish naming pratices in the way names are handed down.

Maybe one of my cousins knows a bit more. (One of my cousins on my mother's side discovered that she's descended from Robert the Bruce - but from her mother's side, and it's her father who was my mother's brother. Oh well!)
 
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