5 May 2005

Aaaaaaaarrrrrggghhhhh!!!

Well now, this is just not right or fair.

I’m trying to have a relaxing time in the garden, to enjoy the sunshine and take a break from my busy, hectic, stressful (though ultimately satisfying) work life by doing some useful bits and bobs. And then something like this happens.

I’ll be the first to admit that I may be over-reacting somewhat, but I can’t help it. Whether I think it’s rational or not, my heart is racing (not in a good way), my hands are shaking and I’m scared to go back outside.

What happened?

I just met the mother of all spiders.

There I was, merrily (really - I was singing and everything) forking through the compost to get some air into it, leaning in, when I turned my head slightly and there was this huge hairy thing right next to my cheek. Well, yes, of course I screamed. I’m a scream first, worry about what the neighbours will think later kind of girl.

I swear it was the size of my fist. Well, it might have been a bit smaller than that as I only glimpsed it briefly, but it certainly seemed that big and I’m buggered if I’m going back out to measure the damn thing up. If you’re so interested in accuracy you can come round and have a look.

There’s no point telling me that it was probably just as scared of me. Trust me, there’s no way that’s true. And yes, I do know what wonderful creatures they are and what a fabulous job they do eating all kinds of nasty things. That’s the problem with an irrational fear though, isn’t it - it’s irrational. Not only that, but bloody inconvenient as now the compost is going to have to remain unturned.

If any of you, like me, struggle to be around spiders, here’s some useful advice.

It didn’t help me one bit.

Filed under: Hard labour — Clare @ 3:03 pm