In front of us was some fresh toast, some butter and my small jar of honey. I quickly explained to Sebastian what was going on and then started to spread the butter over the toast. As it gently melted I quickly stuck my knife into the jar of honey and started spreading.
The fusion of melting butter and honey looked delicious and I cut the toast into small strips and offered one to Sebastian while Jo and I took the other two strips. As I put the toast into my mouth the fusion of honey and butter was immediately apparent. The warmth of the toast combined with the coolness of the butter still melting and then the depth of flavour to the honey was simply delicious. I looked at Jo who seemed to be enjoying her toast just as much and then my eyes settled on Sebastian.
His eyes were like saucers as he looked at the scene around him. He would look from Jo to me and then down at the strip of toast in front of him, not really sure what to do. After thirty seconds or so he picked up the toast between his thumb and forefinger as only a two-year-old can manage. As the toast curled and covered his whole entire hand, he went in for the mouthful.
Though never managing to bite into the toast given its angle, Sebastian proceeded to lick off the entire honey/butter concoction, before throwing the rest of the toast back down on the breakfast table. With his chin covered in honey and butter he looked at both Jo and I and simply said 'More' or rather 'Mowa' in his slight baby-like tone.
Jo and I just looked at each other and smiled. All the hard work to get that single jar had just paid off and I was a very happy man. Only the honey-tasting in the cafe to go now…
SEPTEMBER 27
Looking back now, had I not gone to the cafe that day, had my usual discussions with Joe and Gareth about the bees and then seen David with his gift of the honeypot, I don't think I would be in this position I am in now. Therefore it seems apt to end this story on the day that I sat with them and fulfilled my promise.
On reflection, looking back over the year, it really was the turning point. I'd been pretty disappointed that I had put all this hard work into beekeeping and I wouldn't get a jar at the end of it. Joe, Gareth and David had all got me going again.
It had taken nine months to come together and finally here I was. A jar of honey was looking back at me, a lovely and enticing golden yellow in a small jar. I had stuck my finger in previously and knew it was lovely but I hadn't shared it around.
I approached the cafe, honeypot in hand, and entered. The place was deserted save David in his usual seat at the back, and Joe and Gareth standing to his right catching up on the day's news. I approached, demanded toast to be put in the toaster and popped the honeypot in front of David, who instantly recognised his gift from a few weeks' previous. With a sinister smile he suggested that I could hardly call this a jar of honey and then proceeded to break out in a huge beam as he shook my hand. It was a great feeling as we all sat there discussing and laughing at whether this could be classified as a jar of honey. They truly knew, perhaps more than most, how hard I had worked to get it. The next ten minutes were a joy as we sat there undisturbed, Joe and Gareth taking the highly unusual step of having a break and sitting down at the tables I had seen them serve at and clean for the last three years. Unusually, no customers came in and we enjoyed each other's company and tucked into honey on toast. Needless to say, it was delicious. It was bliss, four people coming together over a honeypot and a cup of tea.
It was soon time for me to get back to the office and so I thanked them all and left. I was sad somehow that it had to come to an end. Closing the doors behind me, it really seemed like it was the end of the year. Both hives were now being fed to get them ready for winter and the beekeeping season was drawing to a close. I had started the year as someone with a passion for gardening and the outdoors and with a growing interest in beekeeping and here I was, someone now utterly obsessed by the subject.
I have made many mistakes this year, much to my annoyance. I have learned that perhaps I am not as organised as I like to think I am and that I can sometimes take a too relaxed perspective on things. But all in all I have learned one very important lesson. If you have a passion and believe in something enough, you will always succeed. Where there's a will there is a way.
It was the end of a fantastic first year's journey. I walked away from the cafe knowing I'd had an amazing year, learned the most mind-boggling new hobby which I am keen to enhance and improve on next year, and have a very exciting winter to look forward to. While my bees are all tucked up warm in their hives this winter, I will become a father for the second time. Life doesn't really get much better.