Blowing in the Winds of Change

tunathe_cat

:j:j:j have joined your new thread x your thread has reminded me of Winnie the pooh getting stuck in Rabbits house for over eating the honey.

Wishing you and your boys lots of happy adventures and a posh frock for yours sons graduation what about hiring one if you would not wear again! or mse a posh area charity shop for accessories


with love
tuna

*Robin*

Good morning everyone; welcome to Kazwookie, carolbee* and great to 'see' you again Tuna :hello:
(* - very appropriate moment for you to join in, given your name & my current location! ).

NOA - have sent you a pm re your interesting dilemma.

This course is fascinating!
Yesterday we learned about the anatomy and life cycle of the bee, and the differences between Queens, Workers and Drones. Then followed a history of bee-keeping, modern trends, and different types of hive.
Every couple of hours our hosts brought us more food and drink - so much that I had trouble doing justice to the wonderful variety on offer (not a problem shared by DS4, who's only just beyond the 'gannet' teen years of course :rotfl:).

At last we were released from the classroom and ushered outside to the first paddock, home to an assortment of hives.
Most of our fellow students brought their own bee-suits so there was a delay while they kitted up, and I regretted not having the foresight to bring my own (but as we only booked to attend last week it would have been amazing if I'd thought about it while packing in Spain, of course)..
The lecturer handed out spare veils to the few of us without protective clothing but he didn't bother suiting up at all. When I realised how friendly his bees are and that it was difficult to hear his voice while wearing the hat, I dispensed with it - no problem! Yes, there were thousands upon thousands of bees from a dozen hives flying around us, but no more than come to the Nest's West-facing terrace to drink on hot days so I wasn't worried about being stung despite having bare head and arms - we were only looking at rather than doing anyhing to the hives, no smoke was needed to distract the bees..

The classroom sessions lasted rather longer than CD was comfortable staying in campervan by herself, so it was just as well I'd brought her crate. She wasn't very happy about being confined in that either though, and sulked for a while once released - but I simply didn't trust the free-range geese who are much too interested in CD to leave them unsupervised together in the field.

Time to go - the rest of this post will have to wait!

*Robin*

Good morning World, :hello:

Wow; I'd forgotten how much energy is required for brain-work..
Still, it's worth feeling exhausted in exchange for learning enough bee-keeping basics to get started confidently - although we now know it would be foolish to set out with less than two hives. Happily, we were taught how to build our own - several different designs - and we spent enough time looking at the Flow Hive [which is what I've already got] to understand how to get the best from it.
Amusingly, the only person to get stung was the most experienced student in the group - although I did use a veil when we were practising moving a colony from a "nuke box" into their new home - but the bees were more curious than aggressive even then (and yes, I did talk to the ones which came buzzing near m' face ).

DS1 'phoned; reminding me that the course leader has the same name as a very old friend of his Dad's from thirty years ago, so after the obligatory end-of-course group 'photo I posed the question (did wonder m'self but we've all changed so much in that time I just wasn't sure - he'd given no sign he recognised me).
Amazingly, yes - the same man! So we then spent an extra hour or so reminiscing after all the other students left, and he's accepted an invite to come out to Spain for a free holiday at Divo One's posh rental villa in exchange for setting up some hives on the land there!

The weekend could not have gone any better; we have learned a lot, will keep in touch with the hosts and at least three of the students, as well as re-connecting with a valued old family friend. :T

Being so close - fifty miles - to the Eden Project, DS4 and I have driven down to get another visit out of our annual passes before they expire, and hopefully fit in a walk around the Lost Gardens of Helligan (which we missed out on last year).
Unfortunately the weather has turned against us at last; rain is pattering down on camper-van's roof and the forecast doesn't look good at all for the time we have available. Still, we've got coats and a brolley so we'll do our best to make the most of this side-trip in Cornwall.
Of course today there's no power being generated by camper-van's solar panel, so I'd better stop writing for now - replies to everyone who posted the other day will - alas - have to wait a bit longer.

Spends:
Cheap Cornish fuel - £58 (just under a full tank - about £30 less than the same quantity in East Anglia ).

joeyjimbles

That sounds a wonderful course, and how marvellous to remeet an old acquaintance - serendipity is wonderful.
I do hope you get to Helligan. And if you can manage the paths being slippy, then it is even more beautiful after the rain. We've been several times over the years, both DSs enjoy it, and its very special. We like the Eden Project too but they boys find it a bit too samey year on year.

please-let-me-be-lucky

What a wonderful coincidence that you knew the course leader! Some things are meant to 'bee' .

Have a lovely day Xx

Sun_Addict

How lovely to meet up with old family friend by chance like that, talk about fate. Enjoy Cornwall - hope the sun shines for you

Dansmam

Serendippybee. Sorry, had to share that thought...sorry, sorry, slopes off in embarrassment.
Pops back in to share another thought. Don't suppose you got a look round that campervan did you Robin? Bit of an obsession of mine...
Hope you got round Heligan in the dry, such a special place.

*Robin*

:wave: Catch-up time:

Dansmam wrote: »

as a long time sufferer of campervan envy please post details if they let you look in. Weeding day here today and I'll keep a bee count as DD posts on some insect research site.

Posh mo-ho was a German A-Class, six berth. Very well finished; nice facings on the cabinets, but a little disappointing that underneath it was the same ol' mdf (- is that what I mean? Wood-substitute made out of squashed, glued sawdusty-stuff. Suppose it is lighter than solid hardwood, which is important when considering payload and fuel consumption).
One double bed lowered over the front seats, a pair of singles or another double could be constructed from the dinette + side-facing sofa, and there was a fixed French bed at the rear above a 'garage', next to the bathroom (which was a decent size with seperate shower).
Must say am not so keen on the models with living area for'ard; four people can sit at the dinette with another two 'behind them' on Captains' chairs (the driver's & front passenger's seats swivelled around). The sofa is more comfortable, but can't be used while travelling and when camping, anyone moving around the 'van is obliged to step over the legs of those relaxing on it.. The models with a living area at the back always seem more roomy to me even if the 'van is actually smaller.
This particular mo-ho boasted two TVs and a microwave - none of which would really be a hardship to live without on holiday, but I was a tad jealous of the fridge - twice the size of a standard 'van one, and had a proper seperate freezer above. There was no gas oven though - instead it had a 'cadac' which is a posh gas barbeque that plugs in outside, and apparently can be used for roasting if required. The kitchen area was situated between the dinette and the French bed.

It was very nice, but I'd not have swapped it for m' dear ol' camper-van. The extra length would be a hassle, and I bet it's much less economic on fuel (automatic gearbox too). I'd be terrified of damaging it inside and out [spares very expensive], plus there's the not insignificant matter of the hefty price-tag these A-Class mo-hos command..

..Is that the sort of detail you were hoping for?

How was your bee-count, Dansmam - do you know where the closest hive is?

*Robin*

kazwookie wrote: »

I lurked on your old thread, posted evey now and then, as I love your style of writing.

Aww, thank you Kazwookie, you are too kind.. :blushing:

kazwookie wrote: »

I love reading about the Nest, and so wish I had been nearer to k**k the !!! out of the old gardener who you left in charge............

Young gardener, not old.. Trouble was, he'd been bullied so badly by his Mum that independant, constructive thought was much harder for him than I realised; his defence to any mishap was lies and avoidance - thought he realised he didn't need to do that with me; while I was over-seeing his work he learned pretty well, but once left in charge of the garden his fear of messing-up became a self-fulfilling prophesy, alas. :sad:
Stealing cash was the final straw - couldn't keep him on after that. Sadly he's fallen further into undesirable habits recently, already bringing himself to the attention of the Law. :shocked:

kazwookie wrote: »

If you ever need any where to park up for a day or two, my drive is available, well it, will be if I move cars and motorbike, think near Milton Keynes type area, and there is an aldi near by!

Thank you for such a lovely offer, that's really very kind of you Kaswookie! If I need to stop off near MK, I'll get in touch - happy to help play musical vehicles to make 'em all fit neatly, lol.

*Robin*

carolbee wrote: »

I too love your writing style, but also want deal sternly with those who cross you, you sound too lovely to upset. love to hear about the Divos, could we have a quick recap of what they're up to, and you too! for the benefit of us with bad memories and new readers?if you feel comfortable sharing that info?

Another very kind comment, thank you Carolbee. :blushing:
..Could use some help dealing with people like ex-Gardener's Mum - she tried her nasty tactics on me too; all I could do was repeat parrot-fashion:
"I won't let you bully me!" ..Until she gave up and went away. Now I just don't have anything to do with her - which is a bit of a cop-out really.

The Divos. Hmm, might be most politic not to post a potted history at this point, as the last thing I want to do is offend any of 'em by sharing details they'd rather keep private. But they're all doing well, turning adversity into opportunity when it strikes, and making me proud to be their Mum - doubtless snippets of news will escape here & there..