A place to mull on bees…
A Rural Journal
… and to tell stories of rural life.
What does a beekeeper do in winter?
I’ve mentioned many times that when you become a beekeeper your awareness of the seasons and the changes in weather becomes a keen part of daily life.
Visiting from Afar
If you too would like to explore the area when you’re visiting for a bee experience you may wish to stay somewhere locally, here are a few places that have been recommended to us
An Attempt To Live Off Grid
The reality of rural living, half a mile from the nearest neighbour, end of the electricity line and water from a well has ‘well’ and truly sunk in!
In The News!
I’m not the most outgoing of people but when it comes to growing my business I don’t mind stepping up to the plate and making some noise!
Where to Start?
It’s at this time of year, as we start to venture out from our winter slumber and begin to recognise the rhythms of nature again, that people often start asking about how to get into beekeeping.
On The Move
Have you ever noticed that the plans you have don’t always work out the way you thought they would?
A Winter Walk
As Marley and I walked through the countryside today I played a game; challenging myself to find signs of Spring and interesting shapes, colours and smells.
Where Do The Bees Go in Winter?
I don’t get to be with the bees very often in the winter as they’re not out flying, they’re not collecting nectar or pollen and not building the colony by thousands of bees a day, instead they are in a semi-hibernation called torpor.
Solid Honey - What Now?
Have you ever gone to the cupboard to grab a jar of honey and found it’s a pale hard lump in the jar, not the golden liquid you expected?
Feeling Festive and Marvellous Mums
Christmas is always a favourite time for both mum and me. It’s a great excuse to get crafty and pull down from the loft the multitude of boxes that have built up over the years, diving in and getting creative.
Being Influenced
Throughout our lives people come and go, some hang around for longer and others are single chapters in a very long book.
Christmas Naturally
I’ve tried to incorporate gift ideas and some more decorative items for your home, along with some ‘old’ favourites which are popular each year. Every product has been handmade by me and wherever possible is environmentally friendly.
Essex Bees on an Infamous Essex TV Show
So I was about to get an opportunity to be on TV, on a programme with a massive following - eek!
What Difference Can I Really Make?
Through the action of our daily lives we’re actively causing other species to change their nature.
Baking a Spiced Honey Drizzle Cake
Lightly spiced and using your favourite honey it works with a rich or light tasting honey depending on how strong a honey taste you’re after.
Chasing a Swarm
It’s May 2020, the COVID-19 lockdown has been in place for six weeks but the bees are carrying on regardless!
Stop...Collaborate & Save the Planet!
You may have noticed that there has been a lot in the news about single use plastic over the past few years. In the beekeeping world I’ve seen an increase in people making Beeswax Wraps to use instead of clingfilm
Whoops, eek, ouch!
This year has lived up to expectations with many incidents and calamities! allow me to share as a source of amusement or warning!
Swarm season
The season kicked off with a lovely warm early spring, which resulted in lots of swarms!!