I found an unwelcome eight-legged visitor in my sock drawer this morning. Not being a fan of spiders, I felt incredibly proud of myself when (albeit trembling and sweating) I scooped it into a glass and took it outside it into my garden.
My triumph was short-lived though. While I wasn't exactly expecting to be applauded when I shared my gallant tale at the office, I didn't expect quite so much laughter from the Farmers Weekly team.
"It was only the size of a Smartie?" Mr Web Editor asked incredulously. "You ought to be careful - it's probably laid eggs on your sports socks," he joked. (At least, I hope he was joking. Maybe I should check when I get home this evening...)
All the talk of my arachnophobia got the rest of the FW team talking about their phobias, and there were some surprising admissions, especially for people working for a farming magazine.
Miss Deputy News Editor confessed she is unnerved by cattle (apparently termed Bovinophobia), while Miss Business reporter revealed sheep make her nervous because she is frightened of wool (a weird enough phobia not to have even been given a name).
Looking around on the internet, we found some other weird phobias that wouldn't be too helpful for farmers, including scarecrows, carrots and wind turbines. I wonder what some of FWi's forum members would have to say about that one...