An Inspector Calls...
I have two hives - both BS Nationals. At the height of summer this may go up to four or five, but I like to start off with two at the start of the year. I used to give them names, but it became a bit silly. Last August the Seasonal Bee Inspector paid me a visit and asked me to number the hives for his records. I now have Hive 1 and Hive 2. Not as catchy as California and Steynburg, but I can at least remember which is which now.
The Bee Inspector, Chris Appleby, was a really nice guy. I say "was" because a few weeks after his visit I heard that he had sadly passed away. He made me think about beekeeping and what I was trying to do in "looking after bees". I worry, I think like many beekeepers, about whether I'm doing the right thing for my bees. He reminded me that there is always the option to do nothing - let the bees get on with what they're doing. Bees know best. I try to keep this at the front of my mind when looking at the bees - with varying degrees of success. Like most new beekeepers, I think I'm too quick to interfere. These bees lasted for millennia without me - I should take a step back and take time to think more often.
The hives tucked up for winter - March 2018
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