I’ve meant to see in the month of may from the top of the Cerne Giant for a long time now. This year I finally managed to and it was a gloriously random affair. From this chaotic, raucous beginning the month has sprawled out in the same fashion.
All was a rush to get ready for the first beekeeping intros of the year as we finally transformed our teaching space into the space we’d been wanting it to be for nearly a decade! Over the years it’s been a press shed, beekeeping headquarters, bee feed making space, storage solution, mess room. It’s really done us proud and it was good to be able to repay her with some paint and a new floor.
The bees had a dreadful autumn and we lost many hives over the winter as a result. However the hives that remain had a good cold cleansing time and started the season in rude health. Some have been split twice already and we’ve been rearing queens from some great bloodlines to head them.
Frame of bees on capped honey
There might even be a little spring honey harvest if we’re very lucky, as the strongest hives have been foraging on some volunteer charlock and plenty of trees: apple, sycamore, horse chestnut, willow, cherry and more along with the hedgerows and their own abundant blossoms: May, hawthorne and more.
Apple Blossom at Twinways Orchard 2023
We ended the month visiting some dear friends in Normandy; which was a real pleasure, even with our abysmal french. It’s been nearly four years since we last saw them due to covid etc and much has changed but the hospitality and great cuisine was still there in abundance!
Beautiful Echiums in Normandy
- Seasons Change - 30th October 2024
- August – The Bee Season Draws to a Close. - 18th September 2024
- Best Laid Plans – May & June - 30th July 2024