Swallowing flies

~ beetleypete

I had to take Ollie out early yesterday. My car had been recalled for a manufacturer’s safety adaptation, and it was booked in for Ollie’s usual walking time. So I headed out much earlier than usual, at 11 am.

It was unusually warm for November, with real heat coming from the low sun that could also temporarily blind you, when walking in certain directions. At that time of day, there are few other people around, but Ollie was very lively, and rushing around smelling and marking as always. By the time we got to the river bend, I was regretting wearing even a light coat, and my legs and feet were hot, in my heavy rubber boots. But despite the warmth, I needed the boots for the damp grass, and the mud that remains from the last rainfall.

Turning along the riverside section of the path, It was hard to avoid the harsh glare of the reflections of the sun from the water. As I shielded my eyes, I was rather startled to see clouds of insects ahead, small gnats or midges, no doubt revitalised by the unexpected heat of what should have been a cold November day. Walking into them, I flapped my hand around to disperse them, and at the same time, I sneezed unexpectedly. A few steps further on, and I could feel something peculiar in my throat, a strange tickle that was completely unfamiliar. My natural inclination was to swallow.

As I caught up with the scampering dog, it dawned on me that a lot of those flies must have got into my mouth when I sneezed, and it was not at all pleasant to realise that I had swallowed them.

Today it is dark, cloudy, damp, and raining intermittently.

I doubt I will have to worry about swallowing any flies this afternoon.

43 thoughts on “Swallowing flies”

    1. That is indeed one of those ‘moments’, Sally. If all these flies hatch out now, then die with the forecast cold this weekend, we may have less flies in the summer. But then that’s less food for the birds and fish to eat, sadly.
      (Your comment was in Spam, for some reason. Just to let you know)
      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. That reminded me of a time (1979) when a wasp got into my mouth as I was sleeping. When I woke up with a start, it stung me on the inside of my lip. My whole face swelled up like a balloon, and I discovered that I was badly allergic to wasp stings. I have been very careful around wasps ever since.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  6. There was a man from Beetley who swallowed a fly;
    I don’t know why he swallowed a fly – perhaps he’ll die!

    There was a man from Beetley who swallowed a spider – how grim!
    It wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside him!

    He swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
    I don’t know why he swallowed a fly – perhaps he’ll die!

    (And so forth and so on…)

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    1. It is a Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 Turbo Diesel Sri automatic, with the 7-seat option. The recall was a national one, following fires in the heating and air-conditioning system on some cars. (It was featured heavily on ‘Watchdog’.)
      The irony is that my aircon doesn’t work anyway, and I won’t fork out the £600+ to get it fixed.
      I am happy to open the window when it’s hot. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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