MAY 16
The experience of dealing with Polish people and their impressive moustaches is over and I am now back in the UK. It looked like the weather would hold and so Jo and I decided to pop over to RHS Wisley again as it's only about half an hour from us. We were aiming to go to areas of the garden that we hadn't been to before, including a fantastic tree that is flowering at the moment, which is quite a rare event. It is called a 'handkerchief tree' because its flowers are like handkerchiefs. When the wind picks up it is beautiful and elegant to look at and it gives off a faint and delicate aroma that is simply magical. Visiting Wisley is quite a strange thing for me. I leave it feeling inspired, jealous and a little bit humbled. What they do there is simply incredible and my hat comes off to the gardeners there – their attention to detail is second to none.
As we were walking through the allotment area, something I am always keen on doing, we came to the lettuces which, though so simple, were out of this world. They alternated green and red varieties and as I was looking at them, drooling somewhat, Jo said under her breath as if in disbelief, 'They are all identical in size and the straightest lines I have ever seen.' It was an incredible display and crikey, these were just lettuces.
Other particular favourites of mine at this time of year are rhododendrons and azaleas. Sebastian evidently loved them as well and it was only then that I realised he had the eyesight of a fighter jet pilot. Every five seconds he would shout out 'bee' and then get all excited. There in amongst the exquisite flowers were bees, darting around from flower to flower making my son's head swing wildly from side to side as if he was at Wimbledon watching the tennis. Jo and I were just smiling and watching the simple pleasure he was getting from watching these small insects buzzing around. The words 'like father, like son' were uttered and I couldn't agree more. It was really lovely to watch, but even lovelier to see him excited by them and also knowing what they were. OK, the fact that later he thought a woodlouse was a bee as well was neither here nor there…
We all went and had a great lunch and then finished the visit off in the library. The people there are always helpful, and today was no exception. As I returned one of my borrowed books about bees, the lady behind the counter saw Sebastian and recommended to us the bee books in the children's section. Things so often missing these days: a mixture of good service and knowing what people want. Sure enough, in the collection of books about insects, bugs and all things creepy crawly were some about bees. Sebastian immediately shouted 'Bee!' at the top of his voice, much to the amusement of others in the library, and then proceeded to read the book from cover to cover.
We came away with two more books on loan including Sebastian's bee book, and all very happy and fulfilled – what a great day out as a family.
MAY 23
Another week and still no bees and no word back yet. I will try to call the supplier of the nucleus this week I think to see just what is going on. I have a primary concern of actually getting them but a secondary concern that if I am able to magic them up from somewhere, they will have to quickly make enough honey for me to actually get a jar.
I am starting to put the word out that I would like to get a swarm. I suppose it is covering all bases, and should my second hive arrive I'll want another lot of bees. There seem to be a few people who are offering to help me out and given the weather of the last couple of days, by far the best of the year so far, this week could be a busy week because bees will swarm in good sunny weather. I will contact them directly this week.
The irony of all this is that I am actually really nervous about having my own bees. Any time now I could be getting a phone call that my bees are ready to go. I am not sure that I am quite ready for that level of responsibility. It is a funny sensation being excited on the one hand, frustrated at not having them on the other and then exceedingly nervous at the same time!
All in all, this is a pivotal week and I predict by the end of it I may actually have become a beekeeper and not one that is just pretending. My days of being a theoretical beekeeper will have ended.
MAY 24
The Chelsea Flower Show started today without me as I didn't order tickets in time this year. I have decided that scaling the fence is not an option so I will just have to watch it on TV. I feel slightly upset as I have gone for the last few years and loved it. However, it is all hotting up regarding the bee situation.
I heard a rumour yesterday that one of the local beekeepers was running out of boxes to collect swarms. As I've mentioned before, to collect a swarm, you basically give your association a brood box full of frames and foundation, and when they are called to a swarm they take your box with them. I am definitely going to hand over my brood box on Wednesday when I go to the practical evening. The temperature touched 28 degrees Celsius today so there are plenty of swarms around at the moment and I should almost be guaranteed some bees.