Yes, well, my leg looks very ugly at the moment - an incision stitched up with black stitches is not exactly a pretty sight. Still, it's better than what was there before, even though it looked fairly innocent - it wasn't! There's always something, isn't there? Apparently, more people are suffering from a deficiency in Vitamin D these days because we slap on the sunscreen all the time. The stuff we use over here is very strong as well - usually more than factor 30. I wander around outside the house so much during the day, I reckon I probably get enough.
I know what you mean about your friend, Malc. My Australian girlfriends my age all used to go to the beach every day in their bikinis and slap on the baby oil! or coconut oil to get a good tan - they basically fried in this sun. We used to do it as well, but the strength of the sun, when it was out, was minimal compared to here. It really shows on their skin now.
As Diane says, sunglasses are the other thing you should wear, especially when young - I have to wear them in the summer here when I go out the back door because we have white pavers everywhere and the glare is just too much. They protect against macula degeneration, they reckon - my mum in Scotland had it, but hers was due to smoking.
I do get checked every year, but actually went in with this one as it had changed colour and was looking a bit dicey. Will have to go more often now. As Malc says, it's par for the course here.
Enough of the lectures! I'm fine - leg is healing nicely - throwing anitibiotics at it - being looked after very well and milking it well too - beginning to feel a bit guilty, though!