Hi NSBL, welcome the forum.
Another noobie here, I've had my bees since the beginning of April.
If I can offer any pearls of wisdom they would be:
If at all possible when you go to sort out your kit (assuming you're getting the whole caboodle new, hives, suit etc) I'd really recommend that you go to a supplier in person so you've got a chance to have a play, talk to people (customers or staff), and make sure that you're happy with the kit that you're buying.
Don't get the starter kits unless you're really happy with what's in them, I didn't like any of the main supplier's kits and talking to Maisemore in Gloucester they confirmed that their kit wasn't a deal just what they considered to be a reasonable bundle of kit.
However much kit you get to start with, it wont be enough
Don't blindly follow advice from other beekeepers. I'm not suggesting for a second that you ignore it either, but at the very least make sure you understand what they're suggesting you do and why you're doing it AND that you agree with it. Question if you aren't sure.
No question on here is a stupid one. I've found here and what is euphamistically referred to as the "other forums" (similar to the British Kneekeeping Association) to be a valuable resource to explore theories and thoughts before inflicting them on my bees.
The two golden rules oft quoted about beekeeping:
N x Beekeepers = (N x Opinions) + Y. Where Y is a number between 1 and infinity
and
The bees haven't read the books you have, or have so know what you're expecting, and will do their own thing
Are absolutely true.
Oh were that a lie. So little time, so much fascinating stuff to learn.
