headwear, bandanas: do or don't

[turpin]

For casual sunwear there is nothing wrong with a stylish broad-brimmed hat. And with the UV/skin cancer threat, style gives way to health and comfort until what's needed for health and comfort becomes the new style.

[Pleater]

When we have 10/10 to 8/10 cloud cover I wear a beret - I have lots as I crochet them myself and then felt them slightly.

For 0/10 cover I usually wear a natural white Tilley hat with a particularly broad brim, and I have other coloured variations on the same theme for less brilliant skies.

I need a factor 60 protection sun screen if I am to be out in the sun for any length of time, or my skin colour changes from a delicate pink/beige to hot lobster, so a brimmed hat is essential. I keep a headcloth and a cord in my pack so if I should be caught out by the sun I can at least cover up. I have only had sun stroke once but that was quite enough.

The number of malignant melanomas is rising year on year - I had to have a mole cut out recently and the clinic had difficulty in fitting me in for its removal in under the urgent time scale limit. Luckily it was not serious, just looked nasty, but others were getting far less fortunate diagnoses. One of the women at the local garage has had a piece of her nose cut out and will be needing treatment for a long time both medical and remedial.

Do take sunburn seriously, and avoid it if possible. Stay safe out there!