Thursday 13th May 2009

A beautiful day spent mostly in the garden. I am heading back into the kitchen when I spy Mr M, my neighbour, out in his patch. I grab a box of eggs to take out to him as we are overrun with them - he sees me approach and wheels over to the fence. I hand over the eggs, which he receives with pleasure, but then delivers a surprise blow. He and Mrs M have been thinking, and they are worried about me having a hive. Where it will be situated means the bees will be flying over the bottom of their garden,where they have a lot of flowering shrubs and also that is where their pool filter pump is. They understand I will be very disappointed and don't want to 'cramp my style' (?) but they feel that a whole hive of bees flying over, especially when Mrs M is changing the filter, would be too much. I smile and nod and say I understand how they feel, (I don't - how will a whole hive of bees fly over just when Mrs M is changing the filter which happens once a year and it is only stupid carp which don't actually do anything interesting of useful or......) I take a deep breath - Mr M is badly disabled and suffers from a nasty condition, and Mrs M works full time, cares for him and does all the household chores on her own. They don't need me to add to their stress. I suggest that I ask Al to come round and look at my proposed site and have a chat with them. Mr M says that would be an excellent idea, and we part still as good neighbours. I mutter darkly for most of the evening.

Sunday 3rd May 2009

I am still on a bit of a high from yesterday's visit. I have expounded at length on the wonders of bees, and the absolute need to keep them to poor husband, who fortunately is still on good terms with his daughter. From the kitchen window I spy my neighbours out in their garden. They are so far unaware of my desire to have an apiary close to our boundary wall, so I grab the chance.
Me: "Morning, lovely day"
Mr and Mrs M: "Hi - yes it is"
Me: "Erm - can I run something past you?"
Mrs M (guardedly): "Go on then" raises eyebrows at husband
Me: "Well, erm, I've been going on a beekeeping course..."
Mrs M interjects: "So are you getting a hive?"
Me: "Well, I would like to, but I thought i should speak to you first"
Mrs M: "Oh no carry on - as long as the bees don't sting me"
Mr M: "I love honey, so yes on you go"
I am gobsmacked to say the least. :-)

Tuesday 31st March

I pore over the contents of my purple folder. One of the items is a catalogue for BB Wear. Apparently, as our course fee includes membership of EMBA, we will qualify for the members' discount. I ponder endlessly over this - all in one full suit? smock and trousers with integral hood? without? separate hat? White, biscuit or light grey? And the gloves - where to start?
The list of members' contact details is interesting. I am amazed at how many beekeepers live reasonably close by. Both Al, and Big Al live less than 3 miles in opposite directions from me. I feel somewhat comforted by this and head down the garden with my new knowledge, to select my site.
On my Gardening blog, I have a long rambly post about my erstwhile rose garden. I decide that it is the perfect spot for 2 hives, 1 with bees, the other empty in case they swarm. Apparently they will swarm, according to our teachers, but we can easily deal with that by a manipulation called Artificial Swarming - to be covered in a later class. Sounds a bit alarming really, but I will reserve judgement until I have had some bee handling experience. The first practical class will not be until the 2nd May, and our next theory class is, in fact, a welcome cheese and wine for all us new members at the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh after the Easter Break. Blimey - school was never like this!