House'guests' etc...

The first part of the week involved me feeling a bit down due to a cold, and school being invigilation only. The adult class at the pottery is really taking off now, though and is growing in numbers every day. I split the group on Monday so now have a beginners' and intermediate group running consecutively.  Might have to split them further still, particularly if numbers continue to  rise as word spreads around the village!  I am enjoying it and they appear to be too (and I think they might even be learning something!!).  Not only do I have potters, mainly female of various ages, I now have many of their children who are keen to improve the (limited) English they are learning at school.  I shall be making a pot at some point, although I don't want to take up too much of their time as it is their livelihood and they are not there to supervise me making a big mess (although they might find it highly entertaining!).

Wednesday and Thursday were relaxing as I was not needed in school due to it being closed for all but standard 4 who had national exams.  It meant I was able to catch up on sleep and saunter slowly down to town for the adult class.

My Wednesday morning was interrupted by encounters with creatures I would not intentionally invite into the house. The centipede thing was about 4" and the grasshopper 3".  Not impressed! The centipede had the decency to remove itself but I had to play the damsel in distress to get my host's son (conveniently visiting) to remove the grasshopper, cheerily telling me that it wasn't all that big compared to some. Thanks. (yes I know they are not dangerous, I just don't like sharing my personal space with these things!)

Friday morning came and I would have welcomed the grasshopper back with open(ish) arms, all forgiven etc etc.....

I nearly didn't notice the SCORPION on my window!! Worryingly I had opened the (wooden casement) window without turning the light on but luckily had pushed the window open a few inhes higher up from where said uninvited guest was lurking.  I didn't notice it at first, in fact I shut the window and put the light on as it was a little chilly at first light.  Then I noticed it, having shut the window.  Light brown and quite well camouflaged against the wooden casement, about a third of the way up from the window sill.  It was about 2-3 inches long and was unmistakenly a scorpion (I didn't spend my childhood watching Attenborough programmes for nothing!).  Was going to do the damsel in distress routine again but realised I could be brave and cunning (and also that my host's son would not always be there to help out!).  I (bravely!) opened the latch (luckily the bottom catch adjacent to scorpion is broken and therefore open) and quickly pushed the window open causing the uninvited guest to fall to the ground outside.  Phew!! I shall be (even more) careful to shake out my shoes and clothes from now on, just in case it enjoyed my 'hospitality'.  Wonder what beasts next week will bring......