Faith & Flowers - October 2020

A final look at the natural world.
A New Lodger?
At the end of last month one evening I noticed a huge spider in
the bath. With his legs at full stretch, he was the size of the palm
of my hand. Gently I tried ushering him towards the opening of
a jar so I could safely pop him out of the window. He wasn’t
having any of that and dodged the jar. I didn’t want to harm him,
or his legs, so left him in the bath overnight. In the morning he
had disappeared.
Later that day he was back. I am not sure where he spent the
previous night, but he obviously felt at home in the bath because
he was back again that evening. Thus, it continued for the next 3
weeks or so. I even christened him Sidney. During the day he
moved up the bath and spent the day in the sunshine under the
window, returning to the corner by the taps for the night.
One day I put a towel on the
side of the bath. Now I think I
must have been somewhat
rougher than usual placing the
towel because I watched
Sidney visibly jump. I even
apologised to him!
Then last Monday I noticed he
wasn’t there in the bath and I
haven’t seen him since. Now I
don’t know if it’s the change in
the weather or if he was fed up
with my bath but he certainly
isn’t about any more; and I
have to say I quite miss him!
Averill Lovatt
19