Plan C has kicked in :-)

OK, sorry, it's been awhile since last post, Plan C now in place, I'm moving! 200yds down the road to a two bedroom house with a garden and a landlord who is ok with bees, ok a small bribe, 2 jars of honey :-)
Have also spoken to bee supplier and should get a call next week to collect bees.
That presents a small problem, 3 feet or 3 miles! OK let me explain, bees are a bit like homing pigeons, they go back to where they think hive is located, if it is moved 3 feet they can find it, but any movement under 3 miles and they are seriously confused! 3 miles and they work out that they have been moved and carry on happily.
So 200 yards! A problem!
Have asked permission to put hive in early to new garden, they want to know when? Come on, when does a baby arrive on schedule!
Watch this space, could be plan C point 5!

....and then the 1st down!!!

Somebody told the landlady! After all these months of talking to neighbours who seemed ok with the bees, somebody has told landlady. Had a call this morning from agent saying "no way hose", never one to take no for an answer have sent an email, will let you know how I get on.
Shame was really looking forward to watching the bees in action everyday.
Plan B and C in action as a fall back.
PS People do seem to worry unneccessarily! What's the odd sting between friends:-)

.....1 more up and then!.......

My certificate at end of course

The ups of beekeeping!.........

OK been a it lazy recently not posted anything for a couple of weeks
Since last post had my last two practical lessons, was tested, didn't do too badly, got 9/10, didn't keep an eye on smoker, look for pollen on incoming bees (I did but didn't say!) and when did use smoker gave the bees a bit too much:)

Dream analysis!

Today will be opening a hive unhelped, so last night before falling asleep I was going through the proceedure and what to look for.
Then I woke up after having been attacked in slow motion by my new colony of bees, all I can really remember of the dream was thinking they had all gone back to the hive and then felt a tiggle in my ear and loud scratching noise and out popped a bee, then another, then another, then another.............
What was that all about? Years ago on hoilday in Greece an ant walked into my ear when I was asleep and the noise was scary, the bees sounded just like that.
So any dream analysers out there?

Boo Hoo, rain stopped play! :(

Boo Hoo, it rained first thing Sunday morning and bees don't like rain so no practical beekeeping course, you can't believe my disappointment.

And to cap it all was going to watch Aman play cricket on Sunday afternoon, but he picked up an injury so no cricket either!!!

But did give plenty of thinking time and decided that I do need a bigger brood box, so before those bees arrive I need to order an Eke and extension for the brood frames I have, seems like the most cost effective way forward.

Did also see another website where you can bid for bees, was very tempted to set up another hive at top end of the family garden, would have to fence it off, Bud may be too curious!

For thirsty bees, my Bee Bar :)

Bees don't just need to collect necter and pollen, they need water too. This allows them to regulate the temperature of the hive, well I think it does:).

So thought I would make a small supply available nearby for them.

Looks almost artistic, must bee the "armfield" genes making a brief appearance:)


PS-Did I mention that I have kept bonsai since 1984? No? OK that's another story:)
PPS-Stones care of Selsey.
PPPS-Water container care of local garden centre:)
PPPPS-Water care of my water butt! Well that is until it stops raining, but hey it is England so shouldn't bee a problem:)

Week 9 Practical Beekeeping

WOW and double WOW, I'm hooked! I can remember Mike from BeesnBeans, (link above), saying that we would never be satisfied with one colony! When can I give up the day job and live with the bees?:)

There is something strangely addictive just standing by a hive with bees flying all around you, the noise is kind of calming and even wierder, (is there such a word!), I felt really safe. and relaxed.

Initially Mike wanted to Queen up three Nucs with Queens that he had just received in the post from Bickerstaffs, they come on small plastic perforated boxes and have 5 worker bees to keep them company which have to be removed and discarded.

Then it was time to open up the hives for real, the ladies in the course had a real knack for spotting the Queen, six colonies on I did manage to spot a Queen by myself eventually!

What really amazed me was how heavy a frame was that was full of honey, a full frame can supply 6lbs of honey but you would never have guessed it just looking at it, two full supers are going to be seriously heavy!

At the end we had to brush the bees off each other, so what happens when you are working alone, I think this will be the stage when I get stung!

A few random photos from the day, the photos don't really do justice to the number of bees airbourne when the hive is open, I'm beginning to wonder if my chosen location is such a good idea, but the neighbours seem keen so what the hell lets go for it:)

Garlic and Perfume

Not long now until my 1st practical, I've been staying clear of garlic (bees done like it) and not much chance of wearing perfume (bees don't like this either) so should be safe from a bunch of angry bees.
Not sure that last post worked, didn't seem to notify anybody that I had posted something new:(
Another bee fact, this one is for those of us that like candles, not that we ever burn beeswax candles these days? To make an ounce of beeswax bees need to consume a pound of honey, to produce a pound of honey they have to visit 2 million flowers flying a total distane of 55,000 miles!
Wow, wish I could claim their "Air Miles"

Test blog

Hi, just a quick test blog to see if it notifies people when I have posted a new blog:)