Got the penultimate colony ready to transport back to wintering site. Decided this prep was preferably done in the dry and daylight: I'd moved the other hive on this site about 10 days ago, at which point I learnt lifting a hive over a four foot, potentially electrified, fence in the dark and rain is not the best idea, especially when the bees decide to find a hole to escape from. Today went much more smoothly even if I was only putting them a foot backwards on the nearer side of the fence...
Then went to both of the winter base sites where the bees were very busy (excuse the mess). Found time to pick a few white bullace, they're nearly two months later than normal this year!