I have been lucky enough to have spent time in Oman last week where I was able to visit some traditional, and modern beekeepers in this beautiful Sultanate. Inspired from reading ‘Honey and Dust ‘by Piers Moore Ede ( given to me as a birthday gift in November) I decided to make the most […]
Honey Sensory Analysis Course, Part 2
I was grateful for another good night’s sleep and awoke early, again before my alarm, then decided that if I was going to walk to the Research centre, then today had to be the day.Excited by a third day of Honey Sensory Analysis in mind I was quick to get myself up and out, […]
Upside down bees
Last week I was informed by a farmer that one of my hives at an orchard had been blown over. We’d had some particularly strong and bitter winds the previous night and although I’d checked all my other colonies, I had neglected to travel further afield to check on this ‘wilder’ hive. This colony was […]
Honey Sensory Analysis Course, Part 1.
Last month I took an impulsive trip to Bologna, Italy, to take part in the first English speaking Honey Sensory Analysis Course. I had heard about it following being given a newspaper cutting from the FT written by ‘Spoonfuls of honey‘ author Hattie Ellis. She had briefly mentioned that the first course to be held […]
Moving bees
Although the winter months are quiet for the bees with the temperatures too cold to fly, and little or no pollen or nectar available, you may think that it means a quiet time also for beekeepers. Not so! Winter is the time for moving bees, cleaning tools and empty hives whilst preparing for the next […]
Art in Action 2016
Sat amongst the climbing roses with the distant rumble of the M40, and a closer ringing of zen bells, I’m enjoying a place of stillness amidst all the ‘art in action’ at Waterperry House, Oxfordshire. I am a volunteer here for their 40th event, and very sadly, the last. On arrival yesterday morning I met […]
Skep making
What an absolutely heavenly way to spend a sunny Saturday in October. Having been a shop keeper, mum & then poorly, doing anything ‘just for me’ on a Saturday still feels like a real treat. Hubby was busy prepping for his cider making season, the boys are all busy with their own social lives, I […]
Bee Gym
One of the biggest concerns for Beekeepers is the Varroa mite. Since I started beekeeping three years ago I was made aware of the various pests and diseases that your bees can be affected by, and the relevant treatments that are recommended to manage these. I have always been uncomfortable with using chemicals of any […]
Honey harvest
Last month Mr C helped me harvest the honey from my beehive. I had four supers on the hive. One was being ‘cleaned’ by the bees after having been extracted a month earlier. Around 30lbs of honey from that one super with ten frames,so due to the paraphernalia involved we decided to do two supers […]
Beekeeping, a new year
I tend to forget to mention that I am a Beekeeper. It’s become so natural to me and such a joy after wanting to keep Bees for so long, that I simply forget that not everyone knows this! When I worked it was a fantasy that would never materialise, how would I ever find the […]