If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it..

Sunning oneself and topping up the tan has become a British obsession. Undoubtedly this is because as Brits we don't receive much sunshine on this fair isle and when we do, it seems everyone immediately strips off to bare all in the glare of the sun, especially those older men that insist on walking around town with their shirts off when we really wish they wouldn't. This sun-loving mentality (as well as obviously the lure of more exotic locations) is what seems to be pulling increasing numbers of tourists to sunnier climbs on bargain basement airlines. But it was revealed in the news this week that the ease with which we can reach our warmer destinations is causing skin cancer figures to rise. I would debate that equally, the idiotic way in which people frequent tanning salons and rent out sunbeds is to blame for a rise in such figures. I understand that people want to look tanned, it makes you look healthier, more toned etc., but seriously is it worth the risk? As a traditional english rose type (pastey and proud), I fear skin cancer like the plague and feel we shouldn't be ignoring the fact that it is coming massively more prolific and should either bravely choose to stay our natural shade by slathering on the suncream, or indeed FAKE IT. I mean we cannot argue that there aren't enough fake tanning products in the market - the shelves of every Boots in the country are stacked with them right now. Don't get me wrong, the sun is good for you, vitamin D is ace for making you feel great BUT just be cautious and enjoy in moderation before possibly deadly melanomas, already up 40% in the past decade, become even more commonplace.

Oh, and I just found this entry on urbandictionary.com, it made me chuckle, if slightly depressing given the fact that I am a 'pastey' (although more like the first than the second, what with the not being a crackhead n all)....

pastey
being so white that you reflect light or temporarily blind people.
damn, her legs be so pastey that I have to wear UV sunglasses whenever I get within a 5 mile radius.
tags synonyms: pale whitey white albino; antonyms: tan fake bake
by hydrogenated e-over easy Dec 9, 2005 email it

pastey
usually a pale, skinny, long shaggy haired, crackhead.skin tone is very abnormal, looks high 24/7.
man thats your boyfriend? he looks like some pastey dude from upstate.

A comment on the former being that this is why we thank the lord for the current popularity of opaque tights - thank you Kate Nash.