MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

Well, here it is, the final blog of the year and where did that year go? On that basis it won’t be long before I’ll be taking my first peek at the bees in Spring! The bees were still flying late into the Autumn, because of the unusually warm weather we were having, so probably used up more of their winter stores than normal, so, I decided to give them their fondant icing, something I would do early January a little early. Below is a video showing you how it’s done. It’s quick and simple and with minimal disturbance to our little friends.

With that all done and dusted, there is only one thing left for me to do, and that is, wish everyone who has watched my blogs a very merry christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year!

I will see you next year but will leave you with this lovely poem about the winter bees by Carol Ann Duffy

Silently on Christmas Eve,
the turn of midnight's key;
all the garden locked in ice –
a silver frieze –
except the winter cluster of the bees.

Flightless now and shivering,
around their Queen they cling;
every bee a gift of heat;
she will not freeze
within the winter cluster of the bees.

Bring me for my Christmas gift
a single golden jar;
let me taste the sweetness there,
but honey leave
to feed the winter cluster of the bees.

Come with me on Christmas Eve
to see the silent hive –
trembling stars cloistered above –
and then believe,
bless the winter cluster of the bees.