After the perpetual cold winter that the majority of the northern hemisphere seems to have suffered, last weekend saw what is hopefully the first proper signs of Spring in my garden. We've been very busy over the last weeks and blogging has taken a bit of a back seat unfortunately.
Last Saturday, we were working out preparing the new polytunnel for the season when we heard this strange sound like a distant jet plane. It turned out that the bees had discovered the warmth of the afternoon sun and come outside to navigate their way around the place. Their loud humming was wonderful to hear. It's the first time that I'd seen them flying properly this year so it was a massive relief. I'd given them some "ambrosia" - a type of liquid sugar feed before we went on holiday in early February but only a few workers bothered to pay me any attention.
This will be my first full season as a beekeeper and so Saturday was my first experience of the emotion of seeing a colony making it through the winter (fingers crossed!). I hope that feeling never disappears.
As far as other news is concerned, I can announce that we have adopted a new canine friend in Laurel Cottage. One of Elva's friends decided that it was necessary to go abroad for work purposes and approached us if we could foster their collie dog, Jesse. We agreed to take the little fella and try to give him the kind of love that Marie and Jason had. Jesse had needed a leg amputated a few years ago and taking him half way around the world to Oz wouldn't have been fair. Anyway, Jesse is now happily living with us and the other two hairy mutts. So far, so good and there's been little upset between the three of them. I wonder how he will react to the bees! Will post some photos soon.
