It was following me in the market this morning.
I couldn’t shake it off.
Like a piece of sticky paper on a finger.
I dodged and dived to no avail; round every corner there it was, glaring at me when I broke cover–the big sniper in the sky.
THE SUN!
I got up early–6.30–it was barely light and very quiet.
I’d thought to thwart it.
Even took Beau by surprise; most mornings, at the first stirring, his tail is up and he’s purring cupboard love.
This morning he was slow off the mark–in the dark.
After feeding Pippa, Beau and Lucien, I lingered too long over my hot water and lemon.
I park the car with ease (thanking the Parking Fairy, who was feeling supportive) and wander up the first
aisle of stalls in the early shade–it’s still only 7.40am. Lovely.
Organic green tomatoes and thin aubergines–exactly what I was looking for–at the first stall.
A dozen farm eggs from Madame and our usual short chat about the weather.
Parsley, basil and courgettes at the next.
A small punnnet of strawberries from the stall on the corner.
As I turn back, there it is–peeking into view, low and powerful and aiming straight at me.
Hands up to the face, duck for cover and shoot over to the part of the square still in shade, to buy the fish for tonight!
As I wait for the fish lady to skin a large pile of squid, I start to think.
This is silly.
It’s the SUN for heaven’s sake, the source of light and warmth, the ripener of your tomatoes and figs and generally speaking a good thing.
I make a resolution.
At Realmont market on Wednesday, I’ll buy a hat fit for purpose–even though they don’t suit me.
(Meredith receives an email this evening from a friend in California. She keeps in touch with my blog and read about my operation.)
She’d had first hand experience of skin cancer–melanoma, in her case.
Thankfully she has come through it successfully.
She offers the name of a good sun resistant clothes manufacturer (exofficio.com) and adds some wise advice–echoing many comments on the blog and Facebook:
Constant vigilance is the answer.
Roll on Wednesday, market day!
.
Robin Ellis 
HATS WITH WIDE BRIMS like old French plein air painters. You’ll look so charming and feel so safe…after lavishing on a high SPF creme. Bon chance
I had a melanoma on my arm in 1981. Fortunately it was excised before it spread to my lymph nodes. I have to have a tip-to-toe checkup every 6 months. A 70 spf sunblock covers me when I am in our pool, and I sit in the shade when I am relaxing in the back yard. I work indoors and try not to spend too much time in the sun without some sort of covering. Ah well…No recurrence so far. My best to you. Guess I should wear a hat sometimes, but most are too small for my dang large cranium!
I believe you will look charming. and this is about your safety 🙂
After growing up in the 1960s in California (think Beach Boys!) slathering myself with Coppertone, then spending a couple of adult years in Hawaii, sans hat or sunscreen – ever… I got a rare skin cancer that may or may not be related to sun exposure. It is called microcystic adnexal carcinoma, a sweat duct cancer, and that sucker seemed to pop up over night, on my nose right below where my glasses sit. Doctor removed a circle the size of an American quarter dollar. He took an American football shaped piece of skin from above my collar bone, rounded it up and grafted it on my nose.
After the stitched on bandage was removed, I wore Disney bandaids on my nose. My friend Jimmy, who soon after died of cancer, wore bandaids on his nose in solidarity.
Now, 14 years later, I still wear hats, but never sunscreen or anything oily on my face. I don’t want to clog my glands and risk getting another cancer. I find that a pith helmet and beekeeper’s veil works great when I am boating!
I know, TMI! Sorry. Best wishes. Take care, but I find it doesn’t help to obsess. The sun will shine when it will!
Don’t forget the sunscreen too. Sunny or cloudy, those nasty rays can still get through. It’s never too late to start 🙂
My wife is South African and absolutely paranoid about keeping her face out of the sun. Personally, I wish hats were back in anyway, as I think they are chic and stylish. I hope everything clears up completely and you can look the sniper in the face from time to time
Interesting note about the clothes…I remember the school nurse recently reminding the kids before a Pool Day/BBQ to make sure they wore their sunscreen. And little “Susie” said, “I won’t burn–I’m wearing a t-shirt over my bathing suit!” And the nurse replied, “If YOU can see the sun through the material, the SUN can see you!” THAT was something even the teacher didn’t realize! 🙂
Anyone who can pull off wearing a tricorn and look devastatingly handsome can certainly deal with any type of hat. Maybe you have a friend in Texas who might send you a real Stetson? Hat or no, do get in the habit of using sunblock — better late than never.
Dear Robin, yes best use a hat outdoors and the good suncream.Just keep it under control and for the rest enjoy the sun without it what would life be, cold and that’s not what we want.Hughs, Chantal xx.
Bonjour! Enjoyed your little story this morning! Be sure to protect yourself from the sun! kare
Hi Robin,I’m sure you’ve heard we’ve have had a fantastic week here to? The Last Night of the Proms in the park was great last night on Radio 2. Kylie headlining!! Take a listen on the internet!.
Miranda Richardson is visiting Shetland as a guest in the Screenplay event. Two evenings films in which Miranda starred were shown with an interview and Q and A session afterwards hosted by Mark Kermode. I went toboth events with pals – wonderful! Miranda, I am sure, would also like to have been followed by the sun when being part of a Screenplay ritual (Apparently) the star is taken to the beautiful St. Ninian’s isle and invited to ‘test the sea’ both sides of the sand tombolo. It was lashing down and cold but apparently brave Miranda was game on! I thought the story was perhaps a wind-up but the tale from her and Mark sounded extremely sincere to us in the audience! My long protracted point being that I agree with you – enjoy that gorgeous sun and buy a big
hat! Wishing you very well Robin and you and Metedith great happiness in the sun. Not raining today in the wild Northern Isles 🙂
I have been watching the wonderful musical “She Loves Me” which a friend brought me.Now Robin you were waring a very stylish hat in the film and looked your usual hondsome self.Jimmy bought a Panama hat a few years ago, and it is a race as to who get there first him or me,it covers the head and shades the eyes and face. I hate hats but this one is so light I don’t know it’s there.Please take care the sun can be a friend,but keep covered.
A wide brimmed hat will thwart the sniper.
They look very dashing as well.
Robin, exofficio has some great clothing–comfortable, and protection from the sun. They also have secret pockets for traveling. Hats and sunscreen are your pals. I’m sure you’ll find one to you your liking. We have a saying in New Zealand, and I think it goes like this: Slip, Slap, Slop. Slip on a shirt, Slap on your hat, and slop on the sunscreen. I like hats that can be crushed or folded, so they’re easier to tote about, but I also like the firm outdoorsy ones with some ventilation built in. Good luck! I’ll be curious to see which hat works for you.
Robin, exofficio has some great outdoor gear. I have several shirts and convertible pants for traveling and sun wear, and they are very comfortable–and quick drying. Hats and sunscreen aren’t so bad. I have a couple that can be scrunched or folded for easy traveling, and a couple that are a firm shape with built in ventilation. All have adequate brims. In New Zealand we have a saying: SLIP, SLAP, SLOP. SLIP on a shirt, SLAP on your hat, and SLOP on the sunscreen. Just be sure to reapply often to keep protected. I agree with the others. All the times I’ve seen you with hats on in performances you looked totally dapper. You’ll be the best looking fella in town.
Skin cancer, just part of the fee you have to pay to love the sun and live in it. I know; I lived 50 years is gorgeous Florida and my poor husband was at the dermatologist’s on regular basis and had every kind of cancer on his skin at one time or another. Wear a large Aussie hat with brim down! Sit under the trees when possible. Use creams and lotions but they are not infallible. Accept the occasional “carving” but use good sense. Lyn
My dermatologist charmingly said I’d spent all my sun capital!
You always looked gorgeous in tri-corner hats. Why don’t you try one of those? I’ll send you one from the tourist stand at Washington’s Crossing in Pennsylvania, lol!!