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It is times like these when you wonder if you have taken on too much. My corporate life is incredibly hectic having been away the last four weekends out of five and virtually no days of in between, home life is hectic due to the two boys and wife who is being a complete super star at these busy times and then there is the garden, allotment and the bees to contend with.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I am trying to get up early to tend the garden and allotment (really depends on what time our youngest gets us up in the night though!) and I am resorting to stealth beekeeping…… Read the rest of this entry »

Sorry for this but it is a small reminder for me when I did small bits to the garden for next year!

Today was a glorious day and it was a true Autuminal day. Lovely rich sunshine, low in the sky bouncing off the few remaining flowers. Lovely, I was a very happy man.

Jobs that I did today….. Read the rest of this entry »

I am feeling quite old today. Imagine the scene. I had to get the bus today into work as my car was getting its tyres changed. I got on the bus and immediately sat down. Upon reflection, once the bus got going I realised that I was on the side that the sun was streaming through. In the interests of a comfortable journey I moved sides. It was at that point I felt old this morning. I actually moved in the interests of a comfortable journey.

Matters got worse. As the journey continued the school children joined me on their way to school. With spots coming out of every inch of skin, hair down to their ankles and school ties tied in such an extreme way that they may well have been an Aberdeen knot for all I knew; the Windsor knot they most certainly not. Anyway, there I was minding my own business, dressed for work in a smart shirt with a half nelson tied tie and I had a brainwave. I must catch up on some reading….. Read the rest of this entry »

A bit of an up and down week this week. The weather has been amazing which has caused all manner of problems with watering. The first casualty of this were the runner beans – although not sure if this was the late and hard frost we have had recently as well. My pumpkins and squash were also casualties and the sweetcorn wasn’t looking particularly great this morning either. I just don’t think I was watering them enough. Read the rest of this entry »

And the race is off. Sebasitan is down for a sleep which gives me about two hours. What on earth can I get done! Read the rest of this entry »

Many people regard the potato, or rather the “spud”, as a staple diet and I cannot say I view it any differently. It holds a very special place in the hearts of our family. Though this has nothing to do with beekeeping I felt I had to document our potato year this year. Apologies to those of you who think this is a beekeeping blog; it is but it also covers bizarre stories about gardening and my allotment (not to mention the man shed!)

Anyway, this week I finally got my maincrop potatoes in the ground – though I still have to put in some of the rather knobbly “pink fur apples” which are a joy to dig up late on in the year. I planted Rooster this year which will be interesting. I also trialled “Maris Peer” as a second early and the famous “Charlotte” earlies. I was also given a whole load from my parents as well which are a complete assortment. All should be a joy. Read the rest of this entry »

Just come back from another war story session at the local pub to the apiary having done another practical session with the local beekeeping association. To be honest it was more concerned with the upcoming General Election than talking about beekeepers being stung in the eyes this week – maybe it was some sort of initiation ceremony rather than the status quo – in fact, imagine if there was an initiation ceremony like those that are renowned in rugby clubs or fraternities at US universities.

Would these initiation ceremonies consist of being stung in the eye or maybe just going into an apiary naked covered in honey or maybe just simply having to recreate the bee beard that I have seen done in the past (now that would top the morris man beard that I have talked so often about wouldn’t it!).

Anyway, it really was a fascinating session this week and I probably learnt more this week than ever before and really made me anxious to get my own bees as soon as possible (oh when will they come)….. Read the rest of this entry »

As always on the first of the month I always take some photos of the flower beds and vegetable beds just so I can remind myself about what is going on each year! Read the rest of this entry »

A great day today with some fantastic time spent on the allotment and in the Garden. The free shed I got from next door has finally been transported up to the allotment with the help of the neighbours. I just have to build a base for it now and then start to build the thing! Read the rest of this entry »

What a lovely morning it was today what with a lovely sun rise, no wind and lots of nice things to get on with. I always take some photos of my progress so if you want to see more just open up the link.

Newly positioned table and chairs!

The allotment in Spring