Bees ...

After a wait of several months, there is a bee shortage in Christchurch, our bees finally arrived today. All 5000 or so of them!
 
We’re renting them from Hermans Hive Hire, and Craig and his wife are brilliant. Came around, set them all up, visit every 2 weeks to check their health. And gave us a fabulous crash course in bees. So interesting, I am relay excited. And all of this, including 5kg of honey per year for $20/mth. The entertainment value alone of watching them makes it worthwhile.
 
So yes, around 5000 bees, one queen only obviously, and ours came from a swarm that he trapped. Often if they outgrow the hive they swarm, and Craig has a few swarm traps setup around the place. Saves buying the bees for $100 or so … They will travel up to 5km looking for honey and pollen, but only around 3km if it’s very dry, they need moisture. So we also have setup a water feature for them to drink from. And how fast do they fly, around 25kph, so they can go a long way quickly.
 
Where do they go? Right in the garden just off our deck. Craig says that you want to watch them, and it’s very true, so virtually on the lawn they went. Already we’ve been lying in the grass watching them, such fin.
 
Then back to the days job, making a prototype desk for work. Most of the way there, finished Tuesday, and then a BBQ tonight with friends. Warm summers day today.
 
Just perfect for bees ;-)