September 7 - Day 122 - 'The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.' William Blake

First I need to warn anybody that is scared of spiders that this is not the blog for you. I set off this morning unable to see very far in front of me. My fringe does need cutting but this was instead because the mist was so thick and definitely stuck in the valleys. It felt very autumnal and I presumed I wouldn’t be able to get any decent pictures today.

As soon as I climbed out of the valley, the sun began to break though and I was amazed by the sight (helped by the dew and early morning light) of thousands of spiders webs. Of course I had to stop but I am not sure the pictures give you the full effect.

Lots of people have marvelled over the spider’s web and the skill of the spider and yet the fear of them still impacts on people’s lives. It doesn’t seem to make any difference that of the 650 species of UK spiders only about 12 species have been recorded as being able to bite. Of these larger spiders, only two or three have been known to give an unpleasant bite. Interestingly, unlike butterflies and other insects, there is very little recording of numbers. It is thought that with a decline in flying insects, the spiders is, however, also declining.

So those of you who really don’t like them, I suppose I shouldn’t let you know that September is the time when spiders tend to make their presence known - particular in our homes. The mating season of some of the most common varieties means that the male house spiders venture out to look for females and the garden spiders get to adult size. It’s also the time to see impressive webs though - so at least you can admire them - from a distance if necessary.