The honeybees are out with their measuring tapes house hunting and measuring up bait boxes, hollow trees, whisky barrels and heaven knows where else. Bees approach to house hunting: All is quiet around the box/tree/hollow for a short while, then 5 bees arrive and do the same sussing out of their potential new home, then… Continue reading House Hunters
Give up beekeeping… Nah.
The tangle of dirty frames peep out of the binbags, evidence of procrastination. Frames that I should have cleaned in September. The wax would be more brittle in November, was my excuse then when I put them behind the old wooden shed. Out of sight, out of mind. Forgotten. Now it’s February. I look at… Continue reading Give up beekeeping… Nah.
Unexpected Christmas presents
OUCH! The bees let me know for sure that they do not hibernate for winter! I had a sneak peek at hives recently, just checking that they had enough food after the long wet spell followed by the cold snap followed by the current mild weather. This hive seemed heavy enough, but I added fondant… Continue reading Unexpected Christmas presents
Frost
Cosy, snug, dry that’s how I imagine my bees these days as they cluster safe and warm in their hives conserving energy and resources as the temperatures hover below 0oC. As a beekeeper I much prefer this cold weather. I worried more during the recent long, mild, wet spell that settled on us during Autumn.… Continue reading Frost
Why aren’t our houses hexagons?
I can see the appeal of 90o angles for the practicalities of construction but… The bees are away ahead of us with the construction of their pantries of honey maximised for storage “It has been proven that making the cells into hexagons is the most efficient shape for using the smallest possible amount of wax… Continue reading Why aren’t our houses hexagons?
Knights Story
A long, long time ago there once was a quiet little village. Far away from the main towns or large roads it was more of a meeting place for the farmers in the fields around it then anything else, but it was a peaceful little village. Though it didn’t have a lot of many things… Continue reading Knights Story
Jamming
“You love making a mess.” “Um.” I say distractedly delaying delay my real response. I lift the thermometer out of the boiling jam. It’s still 104oC. How can it take so long to get to the gelling temperature? Was that an insult or a statement of fact? I ponder. Putting the sticky thermometer back on… Continue reading Jamming
Smokers – a modern twist
Eureka! I’ve finally cracked it. I can light a smoker first time, every time. I found the trick at last and here is the secret. It’s not the fault of the fuel I was using, and I did try many see my post called Smokin‘ The magic ingredient, what I really need is sunshine and… Continue reading Smokers – a modern twist
A taste of heaven
One of the joys of beekeeping is food! Having done my beekeeping duties early Saturday to avoid the exceptional blistering weather I brought my mentor back to the orchard with me to admire the set-up. A proud student. The hives are in a small compound facing a very young orchard and a different type of… Continue reading A taste of heaven
Battle axe
“Your bees love you.” So why is it that I’m suited and booted to the hilt. My bright yellow, triple layered head-to-toe suit, every gap Velcro-ed or zipped shut AND clad in leather gloves and wellies when temperatures are reaching record braking temperatures this summer. I must be giving off a very good impression to… Continue reading Battle axe
