On Sunday last, amid breezy and cloudy skies, our intrepid explorers and future-apiarists took off , braving the elements, dilapidated ferry and higher water than anyone’s seen on a comb’s age. It was the time of the annual hive migration.
Speeding across town with the van packed with freshly paint and stained future bee homes, there was nary the time to even strop at the requisite TIMS right beside the ferry dock! With the smell of rain in the air and the GPS firmly locked on their location, these two relaxed and waited for their turn to drive onto the ferry. The bee-gods must have been with them that day as their vehicle was one of the last to fit onto the boat.
The sailing was smooth, the ride relaxing and resplendent with plans of bees, swarms and future bounty. So engrossing was the conversation, that it came to no surprise than one adventurer suffered some rare form of diminished capacity and reasoning; to wit not trusting his tools and electronic gadgetry! It would be cruel and far too easy to go into detail here and besmirch the carefully tendered and straw-house of a facade of competence this diminished adventurer has cultivated over the years. Details can be had some storm ridden Friday evening at the adventurer’s club and a stiff brandy or two. Suffice it to say- making sure said person is always aware of the difference between solid ground and water is being… prudent.
Once normalcy was returned , they set off again and then the trip went down hill.
Literally…then they had to go up the other side and drive another few minutes before reaching the 2nd water-bourne conveyance. This one gave them such pleasure as the feeling of almost being able to reach and touch the water from their comfortable seats within the van. All too long soon the second ride was over and they were off upon gravel roads, wagon tracks and paths not trodden by any human.
The holy grail of beeyards was their quest. A place to put their newly built contraptions and hoping, nay praying feverently to the bee gods that this would be a rewarding site. To help ensure such favour, sacrifice of both blood and libation was offered and freely taken. It would bold ill to falsely state that the blood sacrifice was given freely. But suffice it to say, once done, it cannot be undone and might as well use it for good and not evil language.
As in times past, back before recorded time, the locations were scouted, the hives assembled and raised. Angles taken into as careful accounting as those ancient builders of the pyramids. Heralding back to ancestors of stonehenge and other modalities of keeping track of the sun, the seasons, the weather and the earth, did too these fellows consult. Placing the opening of their hives just so. A little more, a little less and the future rulers of these kingdoms would be unduly stressed. As such befitting any once and future queen, protection from ravaging elements were taken into account.
Technology once again consulted at the alter of the geo-synchronous satellite constellation. Records were made. At last, they were done; and off they went to the safety of their vehicle.
As is the fickle nature of the lack of tides, the routing of the ferry was not with these brave adventurers and as such were forced to remain and rest. Putting upon the local familial extraction of one adventurer, saftey and respite were taken out of the rain and elements until such time as a quiet getaway could be extracted. To help calm said natives and distract them, the sharing of spirits was taken heartily.
At last with time pressing upon then, the tides running with them and no more locals to oogle, the happy and tired adventures left, retracing their steps back to the mainland and home and safety.
6 Comments »
Filed under: Life, Projects
They had used about 150ml of the 1:1 syrup and were mostly clustered about the queen cage and two bars beside her.
The roof of the hive has a small leak in it and a couple of spots on the top bars were wet( the dark areas). When I go back this weekend, I will seal them up (the cracks) and take the queen cage out. I hope they have started to build lovely comb by then!
Nice to hear the hum of the hive, see some bees about the entrance (forgot the corks so used grass instead). It was very easy to see the several drones that came along in the package as well!
