A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

A bean-sized comb-footed spider (I think) beginning to wrap up a soldier beetle. I spotted this drama on a walk around Spion Kop cemetery between a couple of errands while trying to get my head around the fact that I have to get us both ready to go on holiday on Thursday and haven't really started yet.

The day also included two long phone calls from my oldest friend (friend of longest-standing, rather than age) which was lovely. We last chatted a year or so ago so it was great to catch up. We were at primary school together and apart from sisters and cousins I have no-one in my life who goes back that far. A couple of weeks ago I had a catch-up email from my next longest-standing friend who took me under her wing when I moved schools aged 12 and I'm hoping there'll be a chance to meet her soon. It's been several years but we keep in reasonably regular touch and usually pick up where we left off - the habits of forces brats.