Here's your Yearly Tick Announcement.

It's time again for the ticks - I've already removed several from the cat in the last few days, some already sucking, some still wandering in search of a spot. So...

Ticks can transmit both meningoencephalitis and Lyme disease, so if you are in a place where there are ticks, or are planning to travel in one this summer, please remember to refresh (or get) your vaccination against tick meningoencephalitis in time.

And if you find a tick and want to kill it, do make sure you really kill it dead - dropping it down the drain will not do the trick. I find it easiest to burn them with a lighter or to pour boiling water on them, which will reliably kill them.

So... please go check your vaccination records, and make sure you are safe. The meningoencephalitis is incurable once it has set on, and almost all of Europe has ticks these days. Don't risk your brains.