Recent content by papa_sierra

I believe in global warming, glass half full !!

Spring is sprung The grass is riz I wonder where the pollen is My bees have found the snowdrops All my hives have come through the winter Looking forward == smilies on !!

Puts our problems into perspective.

Checked today, plenty of stores, not many drones in the hive, I think autumn is creeping in without us noticing.

The year seems to be racing ahead, our produce season has been compressed with lots of strawberries but in a short period, the Himalayan Balsam has started early and I see one of our hives has started throwing out drones. Have others noted a difference ?

Caught a swarm and rehoused in a 6 frame poly nuc. 20 days later moved into a hive and noted three frames of brood capped and uncapped and stores. There were opened queen cells on one frame and scuttling out of sight I noted two queens. Now one must be laying so how do I decide which one ?

Oh well, save up for next year.

Bought early tickets for above, both cars decided they didn't want to go!!! so couldn't attend. Did we miss a good day out ?

Good to know you are not involved. I know bees need access to water, but that is taking it to extremes !!

I hope Enrico hasn't taken to growing rice looking at the pictures coming from the Somerset Levels. Looking very wet.

A Wheelchair Accessible Van might fit the bill, some info here - What is the smallest Wav Car Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle? Lateral thinking eh !!

I melted the first torch, so made a baffle from brass sheet with a hole in the middle and slid it half way down the torch nozzle. About two inches square, keeps the heat off.

Back when he started, he did give out instructions on how to make your own. I thanked him at one of the shows, and now direct other beekeepers to his product.

If you can silver solder, make your own Gasvap. Quite satisfying, especially as you can tweek it to fit your requirements. A longer spout for one.

Our bees are still taking pollen in, various plants are budding. Are we in for a big shock ?