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I tend not to be keen on China although they are significantly invested in solar power so, putting aside the impacts of making panels etc., that aspect may not be so bad. Agree regarding shipping although how much do we backtrace the shipping on the jars we buy from nearer suppliers?

I'd say it's under a week ago that I smelled it.

Bell heather in flower (got a whiff of it when checking the bees at my parents', confirmed by my dad when walking the dog) and buds on the ling. Given the wet weather thus far this year, I'm hopeful...

But interesting in light of the prior claim by another that they know someone who ran a 2000 hive setup in Austrailia with the implication it was a frameless Warre setup... More clarification needed. Likewise, given they crush the comb, I think the 'unfiltered' honey on their site looks...

If you're set on not having QEs then might as well just remove them now IMO. However, as previously that's not the course I would take. Removing the QEs should give them more laying space until things are backfilled so theoretically could reduce swarming although bees will be bees...

Quite, although it would be interesting and, despite how it may appear, I do try and give people the benefit of the doubt!

True although I guess there could be reporting on bee behaviour at the hive entrance, overwinter survival rates, hive types, honey yields, how many swarms issue, behaviour (as presumably there's no intentional selection by 'man') and how often colonies die out.

There's a subforum on here regarding treatment free stuff. I don't endorse your approach- it's having bees not keeping them- but sounds like your mind is set. https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/forums/treatment-free-beekeeping.98/

Ran a large beekeeping experience, split into two sessions to make the groups reasonable. All seemed very happy with one asking about booking a family session over the summer. I'm glad StBK thought they were closing last year and had that big sale! Bees very well behaved- a couple were nucs from...

As per @Sutty above- your climate is milder so your annual cycle is different. I'd get them while you can, treat for varroa (potentially multiple points in year if they may not have a brood break in winter) and be prepared to feed them over winter.

Haven't looked for those sizes but Bottle Company South is usually close to the BFA price. Paid 45p/jar yesterday for about 700 round 8oz but worked out if you go for 3840 it's about 38p/jar incl. VAT and delivery. Obviously too many for either of us!

Not bee related but my sister got married last week and had asked for me to make a cake stand along a certain design. Two variants made, one used.

Pick your preferred flavouring. Aldi do some nice spice mixes in little tins

Where's our resident expert on insulation and hive thermodynamics?

Marinated pheasant breast in rapeseed oil and spices for two days before being flash fried is transformative.

Forgetting to zip up the veil on my suit. Wasn't great last week whilst splitting a colony which has started erupting in a cloud of evil...

Pheasants are not a good choice if looking for intelligent birds!

Simon the Beekeeper Professional range.

Breeding - humans making selections intentionally. Natural selection - survival of the fittest even if the selection pressure is human behaviours. Humans are part of nature unless you can come up with an arbitrary point at which humans stopped 'being part of nature'. 'Man can rise above...

Got to one apiary I've not been to for around 10-14 days. Some queens have failed to mate, some haven't. One double brood split as making swarm prep. Shallows all empty. Delivered honey to a client.