Swift Half update - 21st September 2010

• Another two swallows passed over "Swift Half" this afternoon. Its almost October now - bugger off!
• We are getting a mini Indian summer still - the patrolling migrant hawker is still a frequent visitor to the garden, the red admirals are still around, and it feels very nice in the sun - I hear its gonnae get up to 25c tomorrow - not bad for late September eh?
• BUT.
• The House spiders are on the move - BIG time. Every other day there's one huge beastie in the house - racing around, getting chased by one of the spostles. There's another in the kitchen as I type. (This time of year, the male house spiders get "the urge" and set off in search of a mate. You'll recognise the male house spiders by their "boxing gloves" or pedipalps - much more bulbous than the females palps). NB. Word of advice - when you find a spider in your bath - it has NOT climbed up the plughole or overflow pipe. Its got in through a window or crack by the skirting board and climbed up the bath, (often in search of a mate) and fallen in.
• Malu decided to take a quick dip in the pond at 3am last night, then flump on my head in bed like a warm, wet pile of seaweed - purring like a V6 all the while. NORTY Malu!