As everything is becoming more of a reality, I find I am already being a little reflective on the year so far. When I first started I felt almost embarrassed by the fact that I was going to be a beekeeper. As the year has gone on I am becoming more proud of the fact each day. Back at the start of the year I was even questioning myself on exactly what I was doing. I didn't expect everyone to be quite so interested, asking how I am getting on and seeming genuinely intrigued by it all.
Yesterday, Jo and I went over to Paula's (our next-door neighbour's) house for a quick drink to welcome Jo and Nicky. There are only four houses where we live, so it's nice to meet up every so often. We got talking about gardening, as I am often up early tending the garden before work which most people find slightly odd, and then the natural progression was to mention that I was becoming a beekeeper and that there would be a couple of hives up the lane.
They were fascinated by it and they all volunteered to 'look after them' when we go away – not sure it is the same as looking after the cat but still a very nice gesture. We spent the next half an hour discussing bees and I started to churn out all the information that I had learned; this only intrigued them more. At the end of the evening, a honeybee must have heard she was being talked about and flew in the open window. What a lovely coincidence.
This sort of thing has been happening at weddings and dinners we have been to, or just down the pub talking to mates of mine. Everyone seems genuinely interested and keen to learn more (much more so than when I start to talk about sweet peas or dahlias!). I have therefore decided to buy a second bee suit so that when people come over to visit, I can take them up to the hive during my inspections. What a lovely experience to share.
MAY 5
I have just come back from another war story session at the local pub with the beekeepers, having done another practical session at the apiary. This time they were more concerned with discussing politics and the upcoming general election than beekeepers being stung in the eye. My theory about last week being an initiation ceremony still stands. I can only presume we have passed the test and have been accepted.
I wonder what the initiation ceremonies would be like if universities had beekeeping clubs? Would they consist of being stung in the eye, going into an apiary naked covered in honey or maybe just having to recreate the bee beard?
Anyway, it really was a fascinating session this week and I probably learned more than ever before. Of the eight or nine hives that the association uses at the apiary, we have undoubtedly the 'most rubbish' hive – which is how it has been described on several occasions. Not only is it a very small and weak colony, but it's also in the oldest and most dilapidated-looking hive on a very small hive stand. With most of our group similar in height to me, this rather small hive is rather tricky to deal with as well.
I won't bore you with the details, but the queen hasn't been laying for a few weeks and there is a concern that the colony won't survive. Adam came over to debate the issues we were having about bumping the queen off. After some jiggery pokery involving a frame of eggs from elsewhere, we decided to leave it to the bees to decide what to do. A frame of eggs may incentivise the remaining bees to raise a new queen and so we left them to it, hoping for the best.
It is quite funny, when I am in the apiary even if the wind blows on my fingertips I feel like jumping 10 feet high, fearing I have been stung. I visualise the day when I get stung holding a frame of bees. Knowing me and my rather overstated reactions, my arm will suddenly fly up and the frame will crash to the ground. I think the next thing people would see is me running towards the nearest pond and jumping in followed by hundreds of bees flying after me.
It was good to finish the evening with a nice pint down the local pub, a head filled with knowledge and enthusiasm still flooding out.
MAY 10
I am beginning to worry. Did I actually order any bees or was I imagining it? Time is creeping by and each and every week, during my practical sessions at the local association, I see colonies getting stronger (with the exception of our one). I hear of swarms being caught and given to other beginners. I also hear of others who have picked up their nucs and successfully moved them to their own hives and I am feeling a little left out. Here I am, my hive is built and in position and the other one is on the way, and yet I still have one major component missing: bees.
Imagine the embarrassment of hives with no bees. I couldn't make my one pot of honey without them. Hopefully I will hear something soon.
MAY 15
I am stuck in another hotel room as the corporate world has cruelly taken me away from the family and the prospect of bees for another Saturday. I was looking forward to preparing the area for the Beehaus beehive. Surely it can only be days away now, and it's such fun thinking what could be happening very soon, but there is still no sign of the bees and concern is growing by the hour. I have emailed the beekeeper supplying them to find out what is going on.