I've just come back from six weeks in Norway which is mainly holiday but I did get to help my son with his hives and also visited a couple of beekeepers and a bee scientist. It's a very short season over there but we averaged 30 kg of wild raspberry and 40 kg of heather honey. I got to play with a radial extractor which is something I've never used before and I have to say I was quite impressed and it even handled the heather after it had been pricked. The bees were carniolan and impossible to upset. I have never seen bees so quiet. Stunning wild flowers everywhere along with the odd moose and a couple of capercaillie . Also did a quick side trip to Yorkshire where we saw the Moors in full flower. Walked in the little way to take a photo of some bees and got attacked when we got within about 30 m.
I have come home to what would have to be one of the wettest Springs in many years and I have to say I'm glad I don't have to go out working and shifting bees any more in this sort of conditions. The few hives I have kept seem to have come through pretty well.
I have come home to what would have to be one of the wettest Springs in many years and I have to say I'm glad I don't have to go out working and shifting bees any more in this sort of conditions. The few hives I have kept seem to have come through pretty well.