Got myself in a mess. Trying to sort it.

[Penninetrader]

I have a cheapo voice recorder that I switch on and put in my bee suit breast pocket when I get to the apiary and just talk myself through what I've done and need to do next time as I go along. It's a bit tedious to listen back sometimes. It's amazing how much you can witter on whilst working the bees, but it helps me no to miss stuff. I find that paper notes end up sticky or wet (or both) unless someone else is making them whilst I go through the hives.

James

Wittering, yep I do that, I use my phone camera a great deal then look back at the footage. The stickies on your phone you are thinking, well I prop the phone in a cantilever sort of setup before I start. Most times my good lady assists and videos for me.

 

[Macbear]

Wittering, yep I do that, I use my phone camera a great deal then look back at the footage. The stickies on your phone you are thinking, well I prop the phone in a cantilever sort of setup before I start. Most times my good lady assists and videos for me.

Having a glamorous assistant is my preference. My lovely wife is happier for me to do the lifting, and manipulating; her sharp pencil on notepad and her sharp eyes have alerted me to all sorts that would have either taken me longer or I might have missed.

 

[JamezF]

Any kind of assistant might be helpful, but I suspect like many other beekeepers, to coin a phrase, "I work alone".

James

 

[Aneebe]

I have a cheapo voice recorder that I switch on and put in my bee suit breast pocket when I get to the apiary and just talk myself through what I've done and need to do next time as I go along. It's a bit tedious to listen back sometimes. It's amazing how much you can witter on whilst working the bees, but it helps me no to miss stuff. I find that paper notes end up sticky or wet (or both) unless someone else is making them whilst I go through the hives.

James

Me too except that I make a quick phone video so I can also see what I'm babbling about! Dead easy to come back to base and cuppa in hand, quickly transcribe it into note form. I've tried the record sheets but as I've 10 or less hives, I like keeping a ledger and being verbose.

 

[Midget Gem]

I have a dictaphone (don't even go there!) that I can play back on double speed - might give it a go. I can never remember what I've done.
I have a brick system.
Brick flat - hive is ok - brood, eggs, stores.
Brick on it's side - keep an eye on it.
No brick - they're dead!
Sometimes I feel I need more detail for the "brick on its side" hives . Hopefully the dictaphone method will help