Ha!... so that's culprit. Never been allergic to anything in my life but when I moved here it hit me like a tone of bricks. I pretty much reacted to every native grass. Must be the price to pay when you grow up overseas and you're immune system is exposed to a totally different flora.
don't worry marc.. it happens even to people who did grow up here. it's one of the things i loved about living in scotland though.. ocean on three sides so clean (moist) air and no hayfever!