I had a long, fascinating discussion with David Hober some time ago about a project to make a tie out of the silk from the golden orb weaving spider (Nephila), of which we have encouraged some stonking examples in the garden (photos to follow) . I just accidentally walked at a normal pace (I am about 12.5 stones in weight) right into a strand oif the silk in the garden and stopped - it did not break but just stretched and held fast - really very touching in a strangely emotional way. Anyway, I am looking forward to the first weaving. It is unlikely that I will easily gather more than enough for a single, batwing bow tie but it is all very exciting: very Dahl's 'Uncle Oswald'. I recall that he used to have one made a year (by Sulka) from the silk which he gathered from his conservatory - ours comes from the garden and verandahs.

The best part about it is that it is being done just for the fun of it and not for some grubby profit and, unfashionable as it might be to quote Martial (and even more unfashionable to endorse his sentiment): res non parta labore sed relicta.

I will try to take and put up some photos of the spiders and their webs very soon.

Last edited by NJS (2014-05-23 05:48:02)