A friend of a friend wanted to know if anyone living in the country would like to have a bee hive on their land. Guess who they thought of! Himself said that if they came to our garden they would immediately look at the orchard beyond, which doesn't belong to us, and want to site the hive there. Of course, he was right. Happily Mary, our neighbour, was happy to oblige, and today was delivery day.
As you can see, it was a soggy, dull day. The hive was well wrapped up in an old sheet until the exact site was chosen.
Unwrapped and in position, and some bees come out to take a look around.
Mmm! I'm dreaming of honey already!
Another good thing to arrive was a box of eggs from our neighbours Andy and Kim. Their hens came from the Battery Hen Welfare Trust. They started out with half a dozen hens but two of them could not adjust to life in the country, fresh air and grass and promptly popped their clogs. The remaining four had a bit of a shock when they experienced their first rainfall ( and I know just how they felt) but Andy erected a canopy to keep the worst of the weather at bay.
Now they seem to be quite at home and are laying well.
The eggs taste delicious!
Oh how exciting to have a hive on the property. Honey and beeswax will be yours and what an adventure. All your plants and flowers will benefit from their busy work.
ReplyDeleteI love that hens are being rescued from those nasty places...I heard about this on Gordon Ramsay's show and have read about it in Country Living UK...I have the utmost admiration for those taking these hens and saving them....glad that the eggs taste good too!
What delightful deliveries today! There is nothing better than fresh eggs. My step-sister raises hens and I love it when I visit and bring home fresh eggs. What kind of orchard did you place the hive? If there are flowering trees, don't you suspect your honey will have a hint of their flavor?
ReplyDeleteDear Hostess, yes, it's good to know that Andy and Kim's hens are at last having a natural, contented life. (They also have three rescue greyhounds now living the life of Riley and being taken for walks through the woods in their smart new jackets.)
ReplyDeleteDear Bonnie, the orchard contains apple and plum trees and my garden has apples and pears. But I'm now wondering if the edging to my veg plot thoughout the summer months of prolifically flowering chives might have an adverse effect on the taste of the honey.
I just bought a kilo of beeswax from a man in Cheshire, Cher. It seems to have down in price - about £7.
ReplyDeleteSuit yourself.
ReplyDeleteWe have hives brought annually to the flowering Chestnuts all around us. It's not to everyone's taste, but I like the darkness of the honey. In a hot dry summer the bees can be a nuisance, as they come by the thousand to drink at our fountain, right by the pool.
ReplyDeleteDear Tom, what are you doing with a kilo of beeswax - casting? And 'suit yourself'???
ReplyDeleteDear Cro, 'hot dry summer..fountain...pool' Sounds like heaven!
This is a goal I have for my yard this year...Hawaiian honey bees! Thanks for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteThank you rosemary, for highlighting the plight of our hens and greyhounds, As you say they are living a relaxing free range life of riley.
ReplyDeleteHawaiian honey, now that sounds GOOD, Connie Lou!
ReplyDelete