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Reports of the demise of the small colony in the garden were greatly exaggerated, it seems. They were out today and yesterday and I even saw some pollen going in. That pleases me, as this colony flew in from goodness knows where and has a native-ish look about it. Possible breeding stock. When last seen there was no life that I could see but I didn't disturb the fondant over the few frames in the middle. However I have lost another at the apiary, so I'm still at two losses out of 8. It was really ...

This originally appeared in the SBA magazine but for the sake of anyone here who didn't see it, and who enjoys the stories, here's the first of the Tales to celebrate today's visits by my bees to the snowdrops

Oh, there was such a buzzing and dancing in the hive that night! Fresh food at last after a long winter huddled round the summer harvest, trying to keep warm on calories alone.

“Y’know, I’m heartily sick of clover honey.” said one.

“Aye, you can’t ...

At the crack of dawn a specialist team of local carpenters headed off in their truck and pitched up at the association apiary, desperate to drink coffee, eat biscuits, and generally get on with the work of the day. Their efficiency was remarkable and by the time I blinked they were putting up the last part of the roof.



It took Neil and the lads maybe 45 mins to finish the job, and now the ESBA Apiary is ...

There is so much we will do on this patio. Make up frames, mark queens, fill Apideas, have cups of tea, throw parties, site comfy seats for passing dignitaries, sit classes of learners to hear wise words, plonk planters bursting with bee plants.



There is quite a knack to laying slabs perfectly flat, and unfortunately my experience of such things is a bit limited. Andy seemed to have a better idea of what he was doing ...

Back home after nearly 8 weeks away.
How I have suffered for the last couple of months without seeing a drop of rain and having daytime temperatures of 22c every afternoon.
It is a dirty job but someone has to do it.

I did a quick check on my colonies with a view to seeing how many are still alive and assessing stores.

It was only 7c today and very dull so there were no bees flying.

I had already lost two small nucs in the cold spell before ...