A trip outside the big smoke to see some bees of a more rural persuasion. Retired GP John H is a beekeeper of many years standing and kindly offered to show me round his hives during their first post winter inspection. I took the opportunity of being fully kitted up in beekeeping attire to take a quick self portrait. Proper beekeeper styles innit.
I was very glad to be wearing all that protection. I’ve always kept a respectful distance from the Festival Hive bees, so it was mighty disconcerting to have large numbers of bees flying at my head intent upon scaring me off.
John lifted the lid on one of the hives and discovered that the bees had been busy creating beautiful comb patterns on the underside.
He also showed me the Varroa mite which some think could be responsible for Colony Collapse Disorder.
When we’d finished up we took the comb inside. I dipped a finger in the honey that was oozing out onto the lid. It tasted amazing.
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