Pod

Many years ago, my family and I travelled to Canada, where we had the chance to see a pod of killer whales out on the open ocean. A pod simply means a family group — and this one was breathtaking.

Then came the moments of pure joy: the whales leaping out of the water, splashing back down, and slapping their fins against the surface. This behaviour is called breaching, and it’s one of the ways they communicate across long distances. Seeing it up close felt like witnessing a secret language of the sea.

They moved together with such ease and closeness, and among them was a tiny calf — the name for a baby whale.

Every so often, the whales rose to the surface to breathe. The calf wasn’t yet strong enough to break through the water on its own, so the mother would surface first, and the little one would follow her lead. Watching the calf copy its mother so faithfully was incredibly moving.

Are you someone who feels a bit uneasy about spiders, or do you find them fascinating?

Lots of people feel nervous around them, and that’s completely okay. At this time of year, you might notice a little movement across the carpet or a web glistening in the corner — and sometimes that’s enough to make anyone jump onto the sofa.

Most of us have done that at least once in our lives.

When I was younger, I felt the same way. But as I grew older, I learned how to gently guide a spider back outside without harming it. I use the simple glass‑and‑card method — no hands needed. It’s quick, safe, and kind.

The spiders you see indoors at this time of year are usually males searching for a female. They haven’t suddenly appeared from outside; they’ve often been living quietly in your home all year, tucked away in dark corners, building their delicate webs.

Even if spiders aren’t your favourite creatures, they play an important role in our homes and gardens. They help control insects like flies, gnats, moths, and mosquitoes. Some build beautiful webs to catch their food, while others gently wander and hunt.