h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's been a really hot day, and I'm very tired.

I got up this morning and changed my socks (more of an occasion than you might think ) to discover that the big toe on my left foot was turning black and the nail was just hanging on by a thread. I eased it into the new sock where it will remain undisturbed until Monday morning, when I can call the podiatrist for an emergency appointment.

At some point I expect I shall have "words" ( ) with Lloyds TSB; after the long phone call where I thought I'd got them to understand that I hadn't lost my active cash machine card, but rather the one due to become active in two weeks, I found myself stuck in town today with no money and a cash machine card that insisted I was entering the wrong number, followed by a message saying my transaction was "blocked by my provider". I had to scrounge a large glass of coke, as I had spent every penny I had on the bus ticket into town.

I spent a large part of the afternoon trying to locate my friend Alan, to pass on a video tape and CD. AFAIK he wasn't working, but neither was he to be found in his house or his four favourite pubs.

I ended up at Maplin, where I saw a big "AirCon" box going for £39. Knowing that it would only get hotter for the next couple of months I decided to treat myself, but I had to borrow their 'phone and call Andy to arrange some transport first.

We got it back to my place, and ripped the box open. Once we'd unwrapped it I opened the manual. The first line was "This is not an air conditioner." Despite being called a "Health AirCon", it is just a filtration and cooling system. The cooling is achieved by water evaporation, so although it drops the room temperature by a few degrees it also makes it as moist as the Amazon delta. Still, it was cheap, and beggars can't be choosers... It's not much noisier than the fan it's replacing, and I have the added bonus of being able to pour a little concentrated air freshener into the resevoir tank to make the room smell nice.

Andy alsoi gave me a lift to Lidl, where I bought the aforementioned liquid air fresheners, along with assorted booze and yoghurt. I got home in time for the rather excellent finale to "Doctor Who", and watched some CSI: NY too.

My tee-shirt is clinging to me with sweat now, so I'm going to head for bed, being careful not to damage my toe any more than I already have. It doesn't hurt at all, which may be a cause for worry, too...

Gordon Bennett, Peet, for God's sake, look after yourself! I am so sorry to hear about your toe! Blimey.

When I lived in Upington (one of the hottest towns in South Africa) I had water evaporation aircon, which, by the way, is FAR cheaper than the standard refrigeration kind. Your electricity supplier won't thank you for choosing the water evaporation kind, but you would have noticed your leccy bill if you had gone for the refrig. variety. It isn't so bad, humidity-wise. Although I must admit I was in one of the driest towns in SA as well... perhaps Abdn will be worse. I don't know. But I'm sure you'll be fine - water evap. is a good, efficient way of cooling air, AFAIK.

Blimey though - your toe! Get it seen to PRONTO!

Peet,

I don't like the sound of that toe.

can you get it seen to immediately (today, not tomorrow) or at least ask someone with medical knowledge for advice.

I don't know how the UK medical system works (NHS direct applicable?) but if you were one of my family I'd be ringing Shannondoc. It may not be a problem, but the last thing you need is to neglect it so that an infection sets in - or sperads further if there's one there now.

Go and do something.

Busybody dean

Dean, the only think I could do in Aberdeen on a Sunday is go to Accident & Emergency; they would take all day to see me, because as it was an ongoing condition they wouldn't class it as an emergency, and they are unlikely to have anybody specifically trained to deal with it.

I've kept it clean, and will be on the 'phone to my tame specialist first thing tomorrow morning. At the moment, I can't smell anything around it, and I find that curiously reassuring.

There's a good chance it isn't the result of an infection, but rather the result of trauma. I have no feeling in my feet, so it's possible I rolled a supermarket trolley over my toe or somesuch and just didn't notice. I'll find out tomorrow, anyway. (I have the 'phone number on my computer desktop!)

okay, i've seen your reply in DtA; acknowledge you know your own situation better than I do. But if it feels hot or you have a temperature go into emergency response mode


look after yourself.

(think = thing )

Cheers, Dean; I will.

peet it sounds more like an injury than gangerene. The smell would be very apparent if it was the latter. You must get it seen to asap though, it can turn nasty very quickly with your diabetes. Though probably know that and don't need me to nag. Take care of your self and let us all know how you get on

I've got an "Emergency appointment" at 2:40 today; we'll see how that goes.