Bee-keeping in Guildford
Getting our bees in May 2021, we’ve found that life as an amateur bee-keeper has not been simple. Rewarding? Mostly. Educational? Always. Simple? Not on your life! As much as they’re truly wondrous creatures, they do provide their fair share of worries and frustrations.
The articles that follow generally started their life as mini-posts on my Facebook page. They’re written with mixed tones, and hopefully have a little levity in them. They’re not designed to be training materials (far from!), and are written with the knowledge and mindset I had at the time of writing.
I take my bee-keeping incredibly seriously, knowing that I’m a guardian of the bees with some responsibility for their welfare. I also have a high awareness that bees can be threatening to some, and can result in medical emergency for others. So, when we’re managing them, and making decisions, our neighbours and local community in Onslow Village, Guildford are always front of mind.
Parental advisory: I’ve been known to swear at, around, and in relation to the bees.
Amber nectar (sort of)
We crop our first season's honey, and enjoy the sense of fulfilment and learning that comes with this pass-time.
Our first swarms
The first that I knew that something was “up” was a subconscious awareness of buzzing. Looking up from my Zoom call, I could see a swirling black mass of bees…
Needing more golf shots
Things have been a little frustrating, and we need more "golf shots" to keep us motivated.