Author Archives: james

Oh the irony

Posted on April 22, 2024 by james

A quote in the papers today from the Barcelona football team goalkeeper: There’s so much money in this world and there’s no money for what’s most important. What is he talking about? Child poverty? Dealing with famine? Climate change? Stopping … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane, 7th January 2023: A candle “spoon”

Posted on April 21, 2024 by james

One of the awkward things about the smoke generator for my smoker is that it’s quite awkward to get the tea light in and out to get it burning. One workaround is to put a screw through the side of … Continue reading →

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Busy as a bee(keeper)

Posted on April 21, 2024 by james

After getting through other stuff today I thought I’d push on with a few things in the workshop to try to clear a bit more space. First up was turning some old frames from which I’d recovered the wax ages … Continue reading →

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Super super

Posted on April 21, 2024 by james

I went out to put a super on a hive this morning and to deliver a few (rather late) jars of rent. As I was suiting up two young girls, perhaps five and seven years old, ran to the gate … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane, 5th January 2023: Finished smoker

Posted on April 20, 2024 by james

The new smoker is now finished, complete with tray for the smoke generator and drip tray to stop food falling onto it. Time to take it for a test drive!

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Beekeeping jobs backing up in the workshop

Posted on April 20, 2024 by james

I’m starting to back up jobs in the workshop… I brought home another two roofs I’d replaced today so now I have four to be repaired. They all need new sides. I’m sure I have some offcuts of cedar gravel … Continue reading →

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Colony inspections today

Posted on April 20, 2024 by james

The first apiary I visited today was the one I’ve been setting up for a local charity. I’d taken a second brood box and spare roof as I knew the roof needed some repair work and I was kind of … Continue reading →

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Memory Lane, 3rd January 2023: Christmas T-shirts

Posted on April 19, 2024 by james

Gifts from my children. And so appropriate that it’s almost a shame to wear them when they might get damaged 😀

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Apiary land(e)scaping

Posted on April 19, 2024 by james

I stopped by an apiary this evening to find out what state it was in and how much work was required. The brambles were starting to encroach a bit at the end of last Summer and I’d decided to take … Continue reading →

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Splitting a hive with a queen cell

Posted on April 19, 2024 by james

I decided this morning that despite the breezy weather I’d crack on and split the hive I found a queen cell in yesterday. I gathered all the parts for a new hive together and placed then next to the existing … Continue reading →

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