Bees

Disgusting in my opinion ...

Beekeeper Told 15 Million Bees He Ordered Could Be Killed Because Of Brexit

 

It reads as, if he tried to import without full verification and certification through N. Ireland, the consignment could be destroyed. It's a typical journalistic sensationalistic piece of writing, done to garner a response and to put pressure on the powers that be. It's not good that if he doesn't comply to an apparent (now) nonexistent piece of legislation, an already threatened species could be put under more pressure, be it from farmed bees. I also read it as a bloke who's investment has gone boobies up using the bees as leverage....once again to garner a response from various groups to put pressure on the powers that be.
There is a lot of changes going on post brexit that have led to confusion, I don't think even defra have unravelled every thread yet.

 

I saw something on the news about it as well.

On the subject of Bees. Our friend John and his friend Ivo have some 400 hives scattered around Algarve. They have been unable to do do much since the fires two years ago because of the damage caused to the plant life. They are cleaning and repairing hives at the moment and hoping to reintroduce colonies this year. They make and sell hives and have a honey factory which they are in the process of relocating all to Jphn's farm.

 

The bees are back in our shed.

Yesterday ...


Still here this morning ...


Our builder/friend Ivo (a bee keeper) is coming today to collect them.

We had this issue in March 2009 ...

Migratory Bees

 

You must be lucky! Just discovered that it's the old queen that leaves with a swarm, leaving the rest of the hive to the young queen. I've always found bees fascinating.

Isn't rather early for them to swarm though?

A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay
A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon
A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly!

(Maybe a swarm of bees in March is worth .... [a forest of larch])

 

Here in Algarve we have lots of blossom, particularly Almond and Orange (we live in the Orchards) and the Brugmansia is in front of the shed door and is very headily scented.

Shed door to right ...

 

I don't know the full story, I'm guessing there is more to it.
Just wondering if he was hoping to get round the regulations by bringing them in via N Ireland.

 

That's lovely. Sorry I didn't notice you were in the Algarve.

We lived in Alicante for 14 years amongst oranges and lemon groves. The first spring we were there we could hear motorbikes zooming around, and we wondered where the race track was. Then it dawned, the noise was the millions of bees in the groves, the sound was almost deafening, beautiful though. Then we had the scent...... intoxicating!

 

That's okay Jenny, sorry I did not welcome you!

 

Guy supposedly coming at 4 today ... hope so ...

 

Bees gone ...


Anyone for Honey ...

 

We had the Bee Collectors here again last evening as we suddenly developed a swarm twice the size of the other over the door in the shed. Definitely Casa da Abelhas ... it was called Casa da Cobra as we had a massive snake living in it for yeara who kept the rat population in check.

 

Here is our second swarm ...