I forgot to say that last week I had to do the Lottie meeting and follow up with the minutes, I had to go to Harrogate to see clients on Monday. I had lunch in Harrogate wandering round Harlow Carr because it is just across the road from one of my clients offices. I took a long detour to Manchester to see my Mum and Dad. Dad been out of hospital for a few weeks now and is beginning to perk up. We chatted for a few hours. I passed over the swag. I had had to take some frames out of the hives and one of them was full of honey. I roughly extracted the honey from the frames and filtered it. I got a jar and a half. Jean had the smaller and Dad the larger one. Then home. I arranged that I would go on to Tuesday morning to see a motor I have been pursuing. It car checked out so we shook hands on it and arranged to pick it up this weekend [27th June] brother Al's birthday, coincidentally. I missed fencing for the first time in ages, I was knackered. I am very busy at work and had to go to London on Friday for an all day seminar. It was good but tiring.
Saturday was the big day for which I had been waiting months. I have managed to track down a Series III Land Rover for money I was prepared to pay. It is a bit scruffy but then it was first registered in 1981! It has a full MOT good tyres, starts first time [touch wood] has various new parts and not much rust. It is marine blue with cream hard top. Miss L and I got up early to get he train from Burton to Shrewsbury via Birmingham. We got to Shrewsbury without a hitch Peter picked us up and ran us out to Llansilin where the landy was stored.
The ride home was an adventure. I said I would see Peter back at his house but what with Shrewsbury having a festival, learning how to drive a car that weighs over two tons and has drum brakes to stop with and needs double de-clutching I got disoriented and could not find Peter's house. I gave up after an hour and chugged back to Moira. 40 mph is the max speed. Not only the max speed but also the brakes can manage to haul it up if the brake pedal is stamped on from 40. The noise of the off road tyres drumming on the road is colossal above 30mph. Miss L and I had too have a break and found a nice gastro-pub near Telford, The Wicketeers. After a short break and food we set off again. I had got the hang of steering and changing up and down gears. You just have to watch out for "modern" cars cutting into the space you have left for stopping and then they jump on their brakes. More than one eager driver had to dodge back out of the space i.e. my braking zone, when two tons of Landy blotted out the sun in the back window of their car. I was not being mean just doing best I could with what I had. One thing is for sure people hear you coming and the smart ones get out of the way.
We got home in one piece having covered 100 miles without incidented, if a little deaf and a little poorer. The Land Rover has been christened "Degsy"by Miss L. I had enough time to do the poo run before I had to be home to meet Jim & Soo and get ready for a party. Casandra's boy is 21 and was having a party. He is a Star Wars nut so Sandra aranged for Jim, Soo and a friend, Stuart, to do a guest appearance. They all belong to a Stars War society [apologies if a got it wrong] but they do charity events as characters from Start Wars [I got that bit right]. Jim and Stuart are Imperial Stormtroopers and Sue is a Imperial Officer. They have all the kit including voice boxes which gives an extra element. Alex was detained by the "Stormies" and read his citation before been permitted to continue the party. The Stormies stayed around for pictures. It was completely out of the blue for everyone, Casandra had not told anyone. Click HERE for 99th Garrison website. The party began to wind down so home again. H was away at the 40 anniversary do for the Open University so missed the trooping.
Because we had not over indulged we were up at a respectable time on Sunday. I made the full English. Over breakfast Sue was daft enough to ask what I had in store for them until H turn up. H was schedule to be home about midday. Bees and lottie anyone? We all piled into my car, not Degsy, and went off to see the bees. It was quite a dull morning. I parked the car next to coppice and we walked the half mile across through the tunnels to the apiary. We gave the bees a good coat of looking at and had a walk round the meadow, then it was back to the car. Stuart was interested in having a look at the lottie. We trundled over there and had the place to ourselves, more of less. I go the fork and spade out of the car along with the baskets and proceeded to dig up the remaining "weed" potatoes. I was wrecked after took rows even with Sue helping. so Jim and Stuart finished off the remainder, it was getting hot by now. We bagged three shopping basket worth of earlies and I got the cabbage patch cleared. We came home to find H had got back early. Unfortunately Stuart had to go so we sent him off a with load of spuds, a bottle of Cider and a bottle of Elderflower syrup. H made dinner for us all and we had a very pleasant afternoon.
I forgot the mention a little adventure. Jim did not miss Degsy sitting on the drive. Eventually curiosity got the better of him we went for a poke about the motor. Jim said he had never driven a land rover so I remedied that straight away. I got Degsy off the drive, pointing the right direction and handed it over to Jim. I jumped in the passenger side. Shall we say it was a revelation. We did a circuit of the district and when we came back Jim was very pleased that car manufacturing has moved on enormously since 1981 in Solihull. You laugh alot in Degsy, from fear, survival or happiness I am not sure which but any car you drive after a old land rover feels like a Bentley.
Monday, June 29, 2009
On the run
Life has been very busy recently and at the same time the clock has ticked by very slowly. Go back three weekends and I cannot think what I did. I think it rained. I did the trailer run for sure. I did look at the bees. I watered Mo's greenhouse a couple of times through the week.
The next weekend it was Miss L's 17th birthday. I organised to do a job each evening to get ready for the party on the Sunday. One of the jobs was to plant out the bedding plants that have been growing at Mo's. Another evening it was tidying up the back garden. Do the weeding and cutting back the Willow revealed loads of Strawberries. The Blackcurrant have been devastated by greenfly but the leaves started growing back. I had to do the poo run and sorted out the bees. Whilst at the lottie I did a bit of weeding. The "weeds" were spuds that I had missed harvesting last year. I treated them as earlies. The weeding cleared the way for more brassicas. Jean and Peter came over for the party. I got home not long after they arrived. We had a pleasant afternoon together wandering round Repton at the open gardens event. Very interesting. We also managed to get tea and cake. Once home and tea [the evening meal] had been taken, Peter and I took the dog for a stroll to the Railway. And then we had a long walk back but softened by the few pints of Guinness.
Sunday was the day of the party. We had breakfast quite early. Peter and I made ourselves scarce whilst H, Jean and Miss L got the food and house ready. Peter and I went to have a look at the historic railway at Snarestone and then took a look at the bees. We got home in time for a brew and to get smartened up. We had lots of folks come and it was a very pleasant afternoon.
The next weekend it was Miss L's 17th birthday. I organised to do a job each evening to get ready for the party on the Sunday. One of the jobs was to plant out the bedding plants that have been growing at Mo's. Another evening it was tidying up the back garden. Do the weeding and cutting back the Willow revealed loads of Strawberries. The Blackcurrant have been devastated by greenfly but the leaves started growing back. I had to do the poo run and sorted out the bees. Whilst at the lottie I did a bit of weeding. The "weeds" were spuds that I had missed harvesting last year. I treated them as earlies. The weeding cleared the way for more brassicas. Jean and Peter came over for the party. I got home not long after they arrived. We had a pleasant afternoon together wandering round Repton at the open gardens event. Very interesting. We also managed to get tea and cake. Once home and tea [the evening meal] had been taken, Peter and I took the dog for a stroll to the Railway. And then we had a long walk back but softened by the few pints of Guinness.
Sunday was the day of the party. We had breakfast quite early. Peter and I made ourselves scarce whilst H, Jean and Miss L got the food and house ready. Peter and I went to have a look at the historic railway at Snarestone and then took a look at the bees. We got home in time for a brew and to get smartened up. We had lots of folks come and it was a very pleasant afternoon.
Monday, June 08, 2009
An Aborted Weekend?
Heavy showers were promised for the weekend except no one told the rain clouds. It rained Friday evening and was still raining the next morning. Saturday was quite nice but I was at work but later in the day it started raining, heavily and continuously for hours.
I was glad to get this week over at work. I had a "do" to go to in Canary Wharf which ended being a very long day and interfered with my work schedule. Friday was no better. To end the week H and her friend, Casandra, had organised a trip to Sir John Moores to see a play. Casandra's hubby, Tony and I were "invited". At 18.30 we had a Tea at Casandra's to set us up for the play. We had a lovely Tea and a few drinks. The play was a touring production by the Ratatat Theatre Company. Click HERE for their website. It was really quite funny although it took a while for the red wine to clear the day's nonsense from my head. The play was a two-hander and with only thirty odd people in the audience it was, what I believe theatre journo's would call, "intimate".
Saturday was a wash out because of work and rain. It did give me chance to sow ten trays of assorted seeds, Broad Beans, Cabbage, Lettuce, Caulis. I also did Cucumbers. It took me three trips to get all the trays over to Mo'. I watered everything and took a few minutes to tie back the Tomatoes. They are doing very well and have lot of flowers. Sunday' outlook was little better than Saturday. I had to do the trailer run in and out of the showers. At one stage I was sat in the boot of the car watching the rain bounce off the trailer for ten full minutes. I can report the drain I put in a few months ago did a very fine job. H and I decided that we would go over to the Bees just to check on the river. So heavy was the rain I thought I should check the level. We got all the Hiking waterproofs out, threw them in the back of the car and drove over to the apiary. We parked in the coppice and got togged up. We walked the quarter mile through the tunnels to a tattoo of rain on the plastic sheeting of the tunnels. We had a nice chat even if it was half shouted so as to be heard over the din. The rain eased off for a while so I was able to pop the lids off the hives and have a peek in. Everything look snug but one hive gave me pause for thought. The flight board was littered with dead bees. There was a load more on the grass outside the hive perhaps as many as fifty. House bees were dragging some more bees to the entrance and kicking them out. Was this the dreaded CCD? I sat in the rain, in the wet grass in front of the hive and ran the possible scenarios through my head. I could see straight in the hive entrances. The bees were huddling together for warmth, as you would expect, but others were going about the hive quite freely. There were bees coming back in from foraging. The other hives was fine. It has always been a bit stronger. The dead bees were by the hive. CCD hives have no bees. I put it down to possible robbing. There were a couple of Wasps flitting about. I figured that the dead bees were those killed in defending the hive. It was also possible that the dead bees were foragers that had reached the end of their life but the bad weather had kept them in the hive rather than them dying whilst away from the hive. In any case I resolved to have a long lunch on Monday and go over to see them.
My brain was idling so I sat down with pencil paper, a tape measure and some of my bee gear and designed a tool box for my bee fettling kit. It might never get made but it passed on hour.
Monday was given as sunny periods and broken cloud. I left the office at one o'clock. It had not rained all morning and was reasonably warm with a light breeze. When I got the apiary the bees were flying freely so I felt happy enough to fettle the hives. I did the weaker one first. There were no dead bees present in or on the flight board. The bees were busy feeding and foraging. I found a sealed Queens cell which indicates they were about to swarm. I picked out the cell and looked for the Queen. I could not find her but brand new eggs were present. There was also a lot of bees. A sure sign that the colony had not swarmed. I rearranged a few frames which would kid the bees that there was more space, a tactic to prevent them swarming. I have ordered some more super frames. When they come I will make up super and plonk it on the hive. Bees swarm when they feel constricted. By making the hive bigger I hope to persuade them to stay put. I also fitted a entrance block which will make the bees job of defending the door way much easier. The entrance block will allow perhaps a dozen bees to pass in and out whereas the standard entrance will let hundreds come and go at once.
I looked through the stronger colony. I cleared down a couple of preparatory Queen cells but otherwise all was well. I saw the Queen which is always a bonus. The last job was to top the feeders up. The bees were greedily scoffing the syrup and settled down very quickly.
I do not think I will ever be a pipe smoker. I can not keep my smoker running. The straw I use in the smoker gives off a harsh smoke which just upsets the bees. Next time I think I will not use the smoker unless the girls are not playing ball.
I did not need to go over to the river. I could see it from were I was stood. It was still a foot from the bank tops but a good foot or more higher than we had seen it before. The rain has stopped for some time so I reckon the waters will subside.
Monday evening was dry and fairly sunny so I resolved to take the pumpkins and Squashes to the lottie to be planted out. That is just what I did. I did a bit of weeding and came away. I can say with some confidence that I will not be short of Pumpkins or Butternut squash. It was nice to have a couple of hours just pottering about. The Sweet Corn is getting established. I aways look forward to fresh corn cobs.
I was glad to get this week over at work. I had a "do" to go to in Canary Wharf which ended being a very long day and interfered with my work schedule. Friday was no better. To end the week H and her friend, Casandra, had organised a trip to Sir John Moores to see a play. Casandra's hubby, Tony and I were "invited". At 18.30 we had a Tea at Casandra's to set us up for the play. We had a lovely Tea and a few drinks. The play was a touring production by the Ratatat Theatre Company. Click HERE for their website. It was really quite funny although it took a while for the red wine to clear the day's nonsense from my head. The play was a two-hander and with only thirty odd people in the audience it was, what I believe theatre journo's would call, "intimate".
Saturday was a wash out because of work and rain. It did give me chance to sow ten trays of assorted seeds, Broad Beans, Cabbage, Lettuce, Caulis. I also did Cucumbers. It took me three trips to get all the trays over to Mo'. I watered everything and took a few minutes to tie back the Tomatoes. They are doing very well and have lot of flowers. Sunday' outlook was little better than Saturday. I had to do the trailer run in and out of the showers. At one stage I was sat in the boot of the car watching the rain bounce off the trailer for ten full minutes. I can report the drain I put in a few months ago did a very fine job. H and I decided that we would go over to the Bees just to check on the river. So heavy was the rain I thought I should check the level. We got all the Hiking waterproofs out, threw them in the back of the car and drove over to the apiary. We parked in the coppice and got togged up. We walked the quarter mile through the tunnels to a tattoo of rain on the plastic sheeting of the tunnels. We had a nice chat even if it was half shouted so as to be heard over the din. The rain eased off for a while so I was able to pop the lids off the hives and have a peek in. Everything look snug but one hive gave me pause for thought. The flight board was littered with dead bees. There was a load more on the grass outside the hive perhaps as many as fifty. House bees were dragging some more bees to the entrance and kicking them out. Was this the dreaded CCD? I sat in the rain, in the wet grass in front of the hive and ran the possible scenarios through my head. I could see straight in the hive entrances. The bees were huddling together for warmth, as you would expect, but others were going about the hive quite freely. There were bees coming back in from foraging. The other hives was fine. It has always been a bit stronger. The dead bees were by the hive. CCD hives have no bees. I put it down to possible robbing. There were a couple of Wasps flitting about. I figured that the dead bees were those killed in defending the hive. It was also possible that the dead bees were foragers that had reached the end of their life but the bad weather had kept them in the hive rather than them dying whilst away from the hive. In any case I resolved to have a long lunch on Monday and go over to see them.
My brain was idling so I sat down with pencil paper, a tape measure and some of my bee gear and designed a tool box for my bee fettling kit. It might never get made but it passed on hour.
Monday was given as sunny periods and broken cloud. I left the office at one o'clock. It had not rained all morning and was reasonably warm with a light breeze. When I got the apiary the bees were flying freely so I felt happy enough to fettle the hives. I did the weaker one first. There were no dead bees present in or on the flight board. The bees were busy feeding and foraging. I found a sealed Queens cell which indicates they were about to swarm. I picked out the cell and looked for the Queen. I could not find her but brand new eggs were present. There was also a lot of bees. A sure sign that the colony had not swarmed. I rearranged a few frames which would kid the bees that there was more space, a tactic to prevent them swarming. I have ordered some more super frames. When they come I will make up super and plonk it on the hive. Bees swarm when they feel constricted. By making the hive bigger I hope to persuade them to stay put. I also fitted a entrance block which will make the bees job of defending the door way much easier. The entrance block will allow perhaps a dozen bees to pass in and out whereas the standard entrance will let hundreds come and go at once.
I looked through the stronger colony. I cleared down a couple of preparatory Queen cells but otherwise all was well. I saw the Queen which is always a bonus. The last job was to top the feeders up. The bees were greedily scoffing the syrup and settled down very quickly.
I do not think I will ever be a pipe smoker. I can not keep my smoker running. The straw I use in the smoker gives off a harsh smoke which just upsets the bees. Next time I think I will not use the smoker unless the girls are not playing ball.
I did not need to go over to the river. I could see it from were I was stood. It was still a foot from the bank tops but a good foot or more higher than we had seen it before. The rain has stopped for some time so I reckon the waters will subside.
Monday evening was dry and fairly sunny so I resolved to take the pumpkins and Squashes to the lottie to be planted out. That is just what I did. I did a bit of weeding and came away. I can say with some confidence that I will not be short of Pumpkins or Butternut squash. It was nice to have a couple of hours just pottering about. The Sweet Corn is getting established. I aways look forward to fresh corn cobs.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
New Potatoes
This week I have been able to have new potatoes from the greenhouse. Hens egg sized things and very tasty. I planted six seed potatoes, two in each tub. I harvested two tubs which have given me enough spuds for a three or four dinners for H, Miss l and me. The tiny spuds can go for potato salad. A particular favorite of Miss L. The tubs have been recycled to accommodate the Melons over in Mo's number two green house. Since I transplanted them, less than a week ago, you can see they have established very quickly.
We have had some Strawberries from Mo's number one greenhouse. We have not had many but I did the indoor strawbs as a bit of a test and I bit later than I might have. I will be making a more concerted effort on early strawbs this during this winter. The Tomatoes are coming on a treat. A couple of trusses are in flower on all varieties. The curbits are all ready from planting out. I hope to do that this weekend. If I can get done what I want the greenhouses are going to be quite empty.
I have been tasting the Cider. It does not taste like much to me. I think it is a bit dry for my taste but it does pack a mighty punch.
I topped up the syrup on the bees Monday evening. Miss L came along for the first time and gave her seal of approval on the set up. The sun has been beating down on the hives this past week and had evaporated some water off the feeders. This action left a crystallised crust on the surface of the syrup. I bashed it up and added the fresh syrup. That should hold them until the weekend.
I have to go into work on Saturday morning which is going to cramp my style for the weekend.
We have had some Strawberries from Mo's number one greenhouse. We have not had many but I did the indoor strawbs as a bit of a test and I bit later than I might have. I will be making a more concerted effort on early strawbs this during this winter. The Tomatoes are coming on a treat. A couple of trusses are in flower on all varieties. The curbits are all ready from planting out. I hope to do that this weekend. If I can get done what I want the greenhouses are going to be quite empty.
I have been tasting the Cider. It does not taste like much to me. I think it is a bit dry for my taste but it does pack a mighty punch.
I topped up the syrup on the bees Monday evening. Miss L came along for the first time and gave her seal of approval on the set up. The sun has been beating down on the hives this past week and had evaporated some water off the feeders. This action left a crystallised crust on the surface of the syrup. I bashed it up and added the fresh syrup. That should hold them until the weekend.
I have to go into work on Saturday morning which is going to cramp my style for the weekend.
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