Bee Sting!

This is a bit of a departure from my usual blogs. It’s not about walking, travelling or the countryside ( well maybe a bit of the latter)

I wanted to share my hobby that has been resumed after 30 years of absence. So this year I started bee keeping again!

I know they are classed as livestock by many but, I’m not convinced. Anyway I have had ups and downs this year and I’m not sure if my hive will survive the winter as they seem to have eaten all thier stores. I am feeding them right now and that has kick started them into activity again.

I go down to watch them regularly. They are a pretty dopey hive compared to ones I’ve had before and have not been interested in me at all (even when I open the hive).

Today I wandered down, sat with a cup of tea and took a few photos. They are gathering pollen and most recently they look as though they are shopping at Sainsbury’s judging by the colour.

Then I saw purple pollen going in. I’ve no idea where these come from. Believe it or not there are pollen guides so I’m guessing ivy is the orange pollen.

Then as I sat there one flew out and presumably misjudged the ascent as she flew straight into my hair! Now you’ve seen the pictures of me in the past, I have dandelion clock hair and it couldn’t get out! I got stung what felt like 3 or 4 times on my head! I had to run for it as obviously others were making a bee line!

My son’s quick thinking produced the cat brush and I managed to get it out!

EpiPen on standby ( I’m very allergic to wasps so I wasva bit anxious ) I removed the stings.
So what have learned today? Don’t sit so close without a veil but, more importantly, I am not allergic to bees, hoorah! Every cloud and all that!