Its been a couple of weeks since I updated the site. I can only apologise. I have been busy with more conventional work.
Anyway some of the leaves on the trees have started to turn brown. Thankfully no more horse incidents. The grass is still going and I have started investigating what tractor/mower to buy and what 4x4 we will buy to tow the mower. Probably an old land rover, and either a John Deere, Mount field or Atco Mower
I did have an incident with the bees mind. On one occasion I opened the hive and they stung me three times on my left hand and once on my right, within the space of 20 seconds.
I managed to get the sting out of the right hand and one of the stings out of the left however the poison from the two remaining stings on my left had made my hand swell up enormously. It was a good thing I managed to remove my wedding ring ASAP. I had a terrible burning sensation in my hand for 2 days and the swelling doubled the size of my hand. It was freaky. It took at least 3 days for the swelling to reduce enough for me to clench my fist again.
I spoke to the people at the Apiary meeting and they informed me at this time of the year bees are more likely to sting due to the colder weather and the fact that wasps and mice, badgers etc are likely to steal the honey.
I also attended a lecture on Honey and is uses with the medical areana. The talk was fascinating, it was by a woman called Sarah Davies. Who is a associated to the Warkwickshire Beekeepers association. The information she presented, was very informative, on what illness honey and bees wax can help treat. She also told us how and why honey is good for us, and the properties that it contains which make it useful.
I have requested a copy of the presentation and the notes. I have not heard if she is willing to give me a copy, she said she would think about it.
I have applied the Apiguard treatment for Varroa and am feeling sugar to the bees in much larger quantities.
