This morning was one of those glorious mornings that makes you want to leap out of bed with a glad cry. I'm not much given to leaping as a rule, being more of a stretch, yawn and amble-slowly-out-to-the-horses, sort of person. I reached for my wellies and slipped a foot into one.
Slipping into the other wellie, was what started the leaping!! Something large and wriggly had taken up residence ahead of my toes. I leaped onto the bed and watched in disbelief, as a spider scuttled out. She was easily the size and texture of a very large and hairy man's hand. Fond memories of "Charlotte's Web" were banished without a qualm. This arachnid could have swallowed Charlotte and her offspring without a hiccup!
For an intense moment we observed each other, the spider and I. A creature this prepossessing needs a name I thought......... Ariadne.
"Leave now, Ariadne?" I pleaded quietly, "the door's open".
The cats observed me from their corner of the duvet.
"Chase it out, guys?" a slightly more desparate plea. Feline eyes rolled.
"Is she insane?" one asked the other............... "It's got EIGHT legs...........IMAGINE HOW MANY TEETH IT MUST HAVE?" A session of urgent mutual grooming ended the interaction.
Ariadne took a tentative step towards the open French window. I swear the floor boards creaked....... And then she was gone, streaking towards the hayshed like an Olympic athlete. I've never been so thrilled to see the rear end of a crittur. The cats continued grooming.
"Spiders can climb you know!" I said spitefully, and had the satisfaction of seeing two feline faces peering anxiously over the edge of the bed as I left the room.
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