Operation Rescue Mission - Spider In The Toilet

It was about 2am last night, and I was preparing for bedtime. Just as I was about to use the toilet, I spotted a big spider swimming around in the toilet bowl!

I've been dealing with a lot of spiders recently, my fluffy ones, but I was not expecting to see a pretty big spider in the toilet!!! Especially the toilet!!!
Using a tissue, I tried to fish it out, but instead, the spider sank to the bottom of the toilet! I ran upstairs to fetch my gloves,so i could scoop him out before he drowned. 

Scooping out a spider from a toilet was so much harder than I imagined it would be! As I put my hand into the toilet to lift it out, the movement caused the water to push the spider deep inside the toilet so I couldn't see it! 
I
 started swishing the water around to check if he was still there and she whirled out, but every time I went to reach for him he went back in again. 

This went on for a while.... and the spider was by now a ball and I was beginning to think it was impossible to get her out. It might have been be kinder to just flush her out... But I was determined to save her! It's all a bit blurry now, but must have created some kind of momentum with the water with my hand, and somehow I managed to get her out!! I really don't remember how, but I did it!

The spider wasn't moving at all, and I was certain he was dead. Using some tisuue, I dabbed him to dry him dry him off, and coaxed him not to be dead... 

Minutes passed by and I had given up. I moved him one last time and he lept into motion!!! I tried to catch him, so I could take up outside and he almost fell back into the toilet!!! It was all getting a bit too much for me - the thought of having to go through that all again! Flushing the toilet would have been too tempting!

She hit the lid and fell behind the toilet and just laid there in a ball. I thought if drowning in the toilet hadn't killed her, then perhaps the fall had!

As I tried to pick it up, it ran off and fell under the toilet and just stayed there for a while. Then it ran around while i tried to catch it. Eventually I was able to get it and put it outside. Oh - and I caught another spider which lws also big, but looked very young, that went outside too!

As I was texting my husband, to tell him of my spider drama, an even BIGGER spider came running into the bedroom, where i was sitting!!!  Perhaps this was the male, looking for his mate and baby!

This one wasn't easy to catch and he was jumping about! I don't have a problem with spiders, but all of this did freak me out a bit...

From now on, the toilet lid is staying closed!!!!

Spiders waiting in the sink

31st British Tarantula Society at Warwickshire Exhibition Center

I did it! I went to a Tarantula Convention and had a terrific time! I met so many wonderful people there, such a warm and friendly bunch!

The organisers - Ray and Angela Hale

Ray and Angela have been organising this annual event for the last 25 years!
www.thebts.co.uk

The queue started to form quite early. By the time the doors opened at 11am, there the queue was massive!

Almost time for the doors to open

Tree carving guy

I never even knew Tarantula Conventions existed before 5 weeks ago. I was a vendor at ToyCon and it was there I met Mike and his wife Katherine. Mike saw one of my little red spiders and told me all about this tarantula event and suggested I try to get a table there to sell my spiders. I was instantly intrigued and decided it would be something I want to witness, even if I was not able to go as a seller. Mike gave me Ray's contact and a table was instantly reserved for me!

Now, I am so happy to have been able to get a table before they completely sold out! Not only that, my table was situated right in front of the entrance!

 My sister Naomi came with me and was such a big help! She kept things in order while I was just creating chaos... Actually she was very adamant about not coming at first, as spiders are not her most favourite creatures. Luckily she changed her mind, and in the end I think she enjoyed herself, apart from getting hardly any sleep and being exhausted.

Spider, spider, Naomi, spider, spider, spider

 My plush spiders were so well received. Both big, and small spiders, found new homes.  For me, it really is was so much fun talking to people, as I normally spend most of my days not talking to anyone! And it was even better when someone made a purchase.

My very first customer!

I did not have the chance to go around and see what everyone was selling.Because of this, whenever someone came to my table and they were holding a container, I asked them what they had inside. It was fascinating to see what people were buying!  Next time, I will have to check out everything!! I like the idea of having a couple of real jumping spiders.

Being nosey

Beatles i think

Stick insects

The Zoo Family

I even met a guy who owns a Zoo!!! Bugtopia.

The team

Carl

Carl kindly gave us a signed copy of his book - Fangs for the memories.

Laura and Jake

The winners

My sister and my parents

If my parents had not driven that day with all of my spiders, I have no idea how I would have transported everything to Warwickshire. 15 big spiders, would have been a massive problem!! Luckily, my parents were happy to come along. They also enjoyed the day, something they had never seen before.

 Hopefully I we be there again next year!