A Simple Life of Luxury

Tales from a down-shifted family
- Making the most of modest means

Category: Hobbies & Pastimes

A Stroll along the River 1

Geocaching

Geocaching in Shropshire

Whilst away for the weekend at Steve and Biddy’s wedding, we managed to fit in a couple of quick geocaches. Usually geocaches take us to cool and interesting places that we wouldn’t otherwise go, but this time it was a little different. We were already somewhere that we wouldn’t necessarily be and there just so happened...

Our Garden 0

Gardening / Nature

Bees, Seeds and Garden Deeds

After a couple of days work the garden is finally under control ready for the summer. We’re having a garden party for our 10th wedding anniversary later in the year so it would be good to get the garden looking nice for that, but what with everything else, fitting in the work to get it...

Asian Hornet Alert Poster 0

Beekeeping / Nature

Asian Hornet – Another warning from FERA

Thought I’d share this warning from FERA with everyone as I guess it isn’t just beekeepers who could keep an eye out for them and report any sightings. As many of you know, the Asian hornet, Vespa velutina, is a predator of honey bees and other beneficial insects. It has recently extended its geographical range from...

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Beekeeping

More Than Honey

We all went to the National Library last night to watch a private showing of the film ‘More Than Honey’ with the Aberystwyth Beekeepers Association. Not only was it a pleasant evening with our fellow beekeepers, but the film itself was amazing. It’s a documentary providing an in-depth look at honeybee colonies in California, Switzerland,...

Alium Border 0

Gardening

Colour in the Garden

Just some photos of some of the flowers that are currently out in the garden. And one of the Alium border which is looking as though it could put on a good show this year.

Anna Extracting Wax 0

Beekeeping

Wax Extraction

It was far too wet and miserable last weekend for any proper beekeeping, but we did manage some – or rather, Anna did. We hired the steam wax extractor from ABKA and extracted all of the old, dark brown wax from old frames that we had lying around. It’s a fairly mucky job but the...

Full Pollen Sacs 2

Beekeeping

Spring in the Beehive

With temperatures ‘soaring’ to 19.3ºC at the weekend it was a perfect opportunity to take another look at the bees and carry out a hive inspection. Pollen We had no real reason for doing so other than the fact that we are itching to get started with some proper beekeeping this year. The hives were...

Garden 1

Family / Gardening / Weather

Mother’s Day Weekend and Spring is in the Air

The weekend turned out quite nice in the end. After a fairly damp camp with the Scouts up at Devil’s Bridge on Friday night, the sun came out on Saturday and temperatures reach 17.3ºC, the hottest day of the year so far. A First Time for Everything I spent the afternoon cleaning cars and working...

Fiery Sunet 0

Photography / Wales

An Ynyslas Sunset

We get loads of gorgeous Ynyslas Sunsets here but I rarely post photos of them, so here are a few from tonight to make amends.

Sterlising Bee Hives 1

Beekeeping / Family / Lifestyle / Running

A Typical Sunday – Hill Reps, Mile Runs, Sterilising Beekeeping Hardware, Cars, Cakes and Curries

We had quite a productive day on Sunday. It started with my usual run and swim, but this week I did it in Aberystwyth as the pool in Machynlleth was being used for the Dyfi Dash. We had to be in Aberystwyth for 11:30am anyway for the Sport Relief Mile with the Scouts so the...

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