* Heidi would like me to point out that these highlights and lowlights are only to do with bees and not my life in general.
My top 5 highlights, in order:
- Discovering eggs and brood when I was sure there was no hope and all was lost
- Hiving a swarm that actually stayed
- Spotting the Queen, once
- Savouring my first teaspoons of honey
- After a few months realising that I was less afraid of the bees
The lowlights:
- Four swarms from my only two hives
- Not knowing if I had a Queen for most of the year (including now)
- Permanently high varroa count (and it remains high)
- Combining two hives but in the process I think a Virgin Queen killed a Laying Queen (not sure)
- Preparing myself for the death of the colony over the next few months due to a possible lack of Queen
I have spent most of the year dealing with the unknown, dealing with uncertainty, dealing with nature. And as someone who likes some certainty and a plan, this has challenged me.
It has more driven me more crazy than brought me peace. But hopefully, 2012 has been about learning; learning about the bees and learning a bit about myself. Hopefully I will be able to apply some of what I have learnt in 2013.
If you haven’t voted yet, please let me know your attitude to beekeeping.
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What could possibly have happened in your life that beat these highlights? (Apart from having a new baby daughter) 🙂
Your own honey always tastes the best. Good luck with the bees for this year.