Tales from a down-shifted family
- Making the most of modest means
It’s been a busy Spring of beekeeping for us. Not only have we been busy making increase and setting up new out apiaries but we’ve been getting lots of call outs to swarms as well. The Perfect Swarm The first was a lovely swarm in Penparcau. We packed the car with the tools we thought...
The Bee Hotel was a live with activity today – who’d have thought it could be so successful. I’m still working on my bee ID though. The larger bamboo canes seem to be filling up nicely with Red Mason Bees (Osmia bicornis), at least that’s what I thought they were, but I’m beginning to have...
I’m pleased to announce that our bee hotel has some new residents. Since installing it earlier in the year a few spiders have taken up residence in and around it, it’s roof has been used for sunbathing by fledgling sparrows, and the magpies stole a load of the bamboo canes and smaller sticks to add...
Well, I’ve spent most of Father’s Day either up a pole or down a hole. I did go for a lovely open water swim in the sea first, but then it was all work in the garden. Up a Pole I was up the pole in order to replace the anemometer on the Borth and...
My ‘ugly mug’ seems to be sought after at the moment. Following a photoshoot on the University Campus I’m once again in the sports section of the Cambrian News. And I’ve just got back from a quick trip to Bristol for a photo shoot for Dymag Wheels prior to heading off to Kitzbuhel for the European Triathlon...
I know I’m always saying it’s really difficult to grow anything to any height in our garden thanks to the challenges of extreme coastal gardening, but check out this flower spike on our Phormium as it reaches for the sky!
I’ve been thinking recently about queen selection within the honey bee colony. Ideally, if we are selecting a queen to rule a strong, healthy, productive colony we want one with characteristics such as high fecundity, disease resistance, longevity and one that raises bees with a good temperament. The perceived wisdom when re-queening following an artificial...
It was the last day of Half Term and finally I had a day that I could spend with Morgan. So, after a few chores around the house and a little bit of work we headed up to Pendam for a mountain bike ride. Morgan wanted to head out to Nant y Moch, but I wanted...
Bank Holiday Monday proved to be perfect weather for beekeeping. Fortunate really as we needed to check on the status of our bees following the recent manipulations. It was sunny, warm(ish) at around 16°C and not too windy. First on the list were the two hives in the apiary at the bottom of the garden....
Fitness / Technology / Triathlon
Fixing the Altimeter on my Garmin Forerunner 910XT
Monday, March 17th, 2014
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