* 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.
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.