Vero the spider Slayer
The guide books say that this is one of the poorest provinces and after travelling through some of the villages I can well understand why. We stopped at the house as it was too late to go to the cabin had tea had a bit of a walk then bed.
We had breakfast the following morning then headed off to the cabin. We went via the fruit trees just as one toco took off. Silvyia had heard them earlier round by her garden and was pleased as numbers of sightings over the last week had been dwindling. Unfortunatly we are in the breeding season and up until this last week had been in gangs of upto 15 birds. The biggest group they have seen was 35 which must have been a fantastic sight.
We had lunch siestad then repacked the landrover and headed up to the cabin. We then headed back to the citrus area. Finding no Toucans there we headed back to the cabin. The first thing that had moved in with us was a big toad who was actually quite sweet but not really to live with.
About 10/15minutes later Veron squealed and there was my worst fear of the whole trip. All 8 legs had 18hole Dr Marten boots on and tattoos up all its legs and wore a very evil look. It sauntered along and then ran very quickly headed towards my room with Vero running after it with the Mozzie spray! We then had a bit of a panic as Veros torch batteries had died and both of mine were in my room which is where the Tarantula had headed. Now I may have been known to exaggerate the size of spiders in the Uk but this was a proper big tarantula and I have photos!. So after getting my head torch we established it was in the bathroom. Vero sprayed some of the Mozzie spray and closed the door. At this point I openly admit I was sat on the bench both feet off the floor peering round the corner. After 5 mins Vero went and checked squealed and then another spray of mozzie spray. Another 5 mins later and it had hid behind the loo at which point Vero lost it and started attacking it with the broom and squidgee. After much stabbing hitting and swotting she brought it to the middle of the bathroom floor I took a photo and then the bloomin thing got up and ran. So it got swotted again and flung out the bathroom it got up staggered about a bit and then got swotted again and flung out the door.
Now Veros english is good but very little whereas my spanish is just..well little so all of this went on without a word of english being spoke and then a lenghty conversation involving the english spanish dictionary!