Since the spring, many critters have appeared on the patio – bees, dragonflies, bugs, gekko – on a regular basis, but with the bees, and the odd bug, they seem to pay a visit just as they are on their last legs. Bees have to be swept up on a regular basis.

It is quite likely they drop onto other patios, too, but don’t know that for certain, of course. A lot of swifts, martins and flycatchers about during this period maybe a connection there. I certainly thought with the last dragonfly (with half a wing missing) that he might have been taking refuge after escaping the clutches of a hungry bird.

Anyway, this chap appeared this afternoon and, even from a distance, he ‘didn’t look too well’.

Upon closer inspection, it looks very much like a small spider has spun webbing round his feet, head and mouth, greatly curtailing its mobility. Not only that, the spider is along for the ride, presumably anxious not to lose his feast. That’s how it seems, anyway.

The gekko seems to be a regular visitor, or even resident, so hoping to get the odd photo at some stage.