Well everyone you have certainly given me lots of advice.
1) I would get a helper if I could but I have been trying to find help round here for ages and its SURREY!! When I tried to join one local group I was told in very frosty terms that I shouldn't expect people to help me, everyone was very busy. There would be a question session on saturday mornings where I would be expected to attend if I had any questions (I didnt join)! In desperation I joined a more distant group who at least gave me a welcome.
As asking questions seemed banned I told the original group I usually asked questions on a forum, which produced 'alarm bells' apparently! It seems my behavour was regarded as tantamount to insurrection.
So...........................of all the suggestions the long bar hive seems the best. Its no good planning anything if you need other people, so if I am buying equipment then it sounds like a good idea. Again, mentioning a top bar hive seemed to meet with some degree of subtle disapproval. I will look at the half supers. The other thing I have thought about is using a single brood box, at the moment I use a brood and a half. That would require less lifting.
And no, I am not over the hill yet, just planning ahead to make sure I can do what I want for as long as possible!
Thanks
Pam
my thoughts exactly, long hive with four supers, could even make the supers smaller if needed, just need more of them:.)
