From A to Bee(30)

Finally the moment of truth: the bee suit. I had opted for something quite untraditional. Firstly I had gone for a jacket style rather than full body, and secondly I had opted for a khaki colour rather than white. I had settled for a jacket as when I tried one on it was very comfortable, and after all it is all about what you feel comfortable in. I remembered people saying that full suits could get hot in summer and the thought of wearing a rather fetching boiler suit in the height of summer didn't really appeal, so I thought this might be better for me. The colour was a more personal choice but hearing the theory behind it was quite interesting. Apparently some years ago the founder of the B. J. Sherriff Company went to New Zealand to observe beekeeping there. They would do a lot of their beekeeping at night time and often found that white bee suits made themselves very obvious to the bees. Wearing khaki toned down the brightness and made it easier for the beekeepers to work. So not only was it a nice colour it also meant it would be easier for me to keep bees in the dark. It seemed the perfect combination in my eyes.



As I pulled it out, Jo peering over my shoulder, I was having second thoughts. Would the colour be OK? Did I pick the right size? Would Jo divorce me seeing what I was about to start wearing most weekends?



Staring at it through the cellophane packet it came in, it actually looked great and Jo immediately agreed but stated she would have preferred it in white because she's a traditionalist. It did look slightly too big but then I did order XXL. I think I was overcompensating for my medium episode earlier in the year and afraid that I might again feel the little feet of a bee on the small of my back. Not again, thank you very much.



I tried it on and looked in the mirror and felt pleased I had gone for the jacket style. Jo even tried it on as well though it looked more like a tent. Wearing this I don't think I could ever look like a traditional beekeeper; a fact I quite like to be honest.



All in all, it was a big moment and I feel one step closer to that one pot of honey – though I am starting to slightly panic about building the hive as I am putting it off every day. I keep on finding a new excuse. Let's make that an aim for this week!





APRIL 8



My local association holds practical sessions each week and I was fortunate to get to one last night. I think they are a fantastic incentive to join an association as it's a great way to (a) meet other beekeepers in a similar situation, and (b) learn the art of handling bees in a safe environment. I hate to think what mistakes I would make if I went at it on my own! This one was held at the local apiary, where the frame-building day was held earlier, and thankfully it wasn't raining, unbelievable given the last few weeks.



I drove there feeling a little more confident than I did at the frame-building day, but purely as a result of having a correctly fitting bee suit. I also brought the free gift I received from the bee suit company, some nicely fitting though rather unattractive-looking leather gloves. It certainly didn't look as though a sting would penetrate these little beauties (it didn't look like anything would penetrate them if I am honest!).



I got there in good time but I was shocked at the sheer number of people at the apiary already. There must have been fifty beekeepers, most of them in their white bee suits already. I have to say, I stuck out like a sore thumb in my khaki suit! Though the majority were in their fifties and sixties there was a whole group of teenagers present as well. It meant a wonderful mixture of ages but I was amazed as I wasn't the youngest present. I was only stating this point to a few friendly, fellow non-middle-aged beekeepers when whispers could be heard. These youngsters were Duke of Edinburgh participants. So these guys were effectively doing this to get a little certificate and not for any other madcap reason. Therefore, looking around I was now officially the youngest beekeeper there.



I was getting some looks from other, rather jealous, white-suited beekeepers; I think they were envious looks but I could be confusing envy with disbelief. We split off into groups of five and were shown the basics of a few fundamental skills by some more experienced beekeepers, in our case Tom and Maggie once again.



Let me tell you a little bit about Tom and Maggie. They will be my tutors for the next year; instrumental, therefore, if I am to get my jar of honey. Tom seemed about sixty, the more dominant of the pairing and the joker; obviously with an attitude young for his years. He had one of those faces a photographer would love, being friendly and yet characterful with deep features (and wrinkles) defining it. Maggie, delightful and a lot younger than Tom, seemed to be the perfect support act. She was the true powerhouse, however, and their approach epitomised my relationship with Jo: I wear the trousers but Jo tells me the colour to wear. You could see already that she was the brains to Tom's character. As he trailed off during a description or forgot something, Maggie was already chipping in. They are a perfect team and hopefully I will learn an awful lot from them.