We are back in business. I have been lucky enough to be given some bees by my association, as a member has given up. I am feeding fondant to get them through the last of winter and can't wait to open up and see what is going on when the weather heats up.

Sad news I am afraid. I went to visit the bees over Christmas to check on food levels and hive health, but sadly the colony had collapsed. I describe what I think has happened in this episode. There are signs of spring in the countryside though, so there are optimistic moments to be had including wonderful birdsong.

Welcome back, I had a few fun edits to start the podcast but have managed to hide them on the cutting room floor somehow. Quick winter update, stores are good, no condensation on the top of the bees, all seems ok. Fingers crossed.

End of October visit. Feeders all empty and removed. Celotex bonnet on top with metal roof. Bees looking good, nice big colony.

A windy day in the apiary yesterday. Feeding is done for now, battening down the hatches for the long winter. The bees were still bringing pollen in, braving the rain and wind.

A chat from in my car as it was raining and the nearby gardener was giving it some welly with the leaf blower. Includes the smell of Ivy from the bees latest foraging, beehive remodelling and an equestrian drive by.

Today marks the end of the varroa treatment time period, so I took out the strips. Only remembered after topping up the feeder so it was harder than necessary! A wood pigeon was stamping around beside me as I must have been in stealth mode or he was sneaking up on me very badly.

Hi all, this is a whistle stop visit to top up the feeders, check varroa drop, wasp activity and overall hive health. Stung by a grumpy sky raisin.