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There is a lot of talk out there about what is the best beehive for you to use and so I thought I would summarise my findings. Being a beginner I thought it would be useful as I simply do not have any prejudice or bias to any sort of hive and therefore, hopefully I would give each a fair trial!

Most of my thoughts you will find in the following videos but I thought I would just summarise the differences between the modern and often criticised Omlet Beehaus and the traditional and romantic National Hive. The latter is the hive most used in the UK and has a huge following, though I did go a little bit off piste and opted for a gabled roof! Anyway here are my positives and negatives of each.

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So, suddenly it has got a little bit more serious. Yesterdays inspection had two elements to it which were both equally important. Firstly the hopes of some capped honey and secondly the review of European Foul Brood. Its funny isn’t it. When I first started to write the account of my beekeeping year I really was approaching it as a jovial and often humerous story but I genuinely feel as if my attitude, respect and affection for the bees has grown immensely and I now see how serious it all is. These last two days have only emphasised that to me. Read the rest of this entry »

What a nice way to spend a Sunday evening! The homemade cider reminds me of the weekend I spent making it with friends in Shropshire. Seb was just about walking and we spent two days making this fantastic concoction in beautiful October sunlight. It was incredibly warm as well but I am still not sure whether that was a continual supply of last years cider that kept us going with all the collecting, pulping and crushing of the apples. Read the rest of this entry »