The sun broke through the light mist of raindrops as I walked up the leafy path to the apiary. It was late in the day and there was a chill wind in the air.
I put on my bee suit to avoid late-returning foragers flying home to the hives with the last drops of nectar.
There was no need to light my smoker as I had no intention of disturbing the bees. I was here to begin preparations for the start of the beekeeping season. Winter had stretched far into spring this year and the bailey comb change was late. But the sun was coming and the bees needed to be ready.
I collected brood boxes, supers, floors, crownboards and roofs to carry back to the apiary long table where my dad stood ready with a scraper and blowtorch. He made fast work of cleaning up the wood, which I then placed above our two hives ready for the bees to move into their new homes.
The bluebells were out late too.
This was a few weeks ago and things have moved on. Emily and I have now started the bailey comb change and we will soon find out what sort of bees will be made by Myrtle, last year’s late summer queen, and the unnamed queens in our two new hives.
It’s all about to begin.
This post is in memory of my grandmother Antoiné Dees who passed away yesterday after a long illness. May she find peace and a new beginning in some other life.
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Bailey comb change for spring bees
Mrs Apis Mellifera 
lovely post sorry to hear about your grandmother passing away yesterday my thoughts are with you and your family at this time
Thanks Linda 🙂 She would have liked this post and as a fellow beekeeper reminded me, I mustn’t forget to tell the bees too.
A beautiful post and lovely dedication. My condolences.
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Hopes for a good season ahead for all our bees.
Beautiful post and photos, Em. And a lovely tribute to your grandmother. Thinking of you.
Thanks Lis. Your words always bring comfort x
The photos are as lovely as the occasion is sad. Condolences.
That’s very kind. My grandmother was a professional photographer in the 60s in London, it seemed fitting to have lovely photos as a tribute to her.
You have certainly done her proud.
What a sweet remembrance, as sweet as your grandmother I’m sure. Thank you for sharing it.
Sending you both sweetness & light.
Thank you for such a lovely comment! My grandmother would like that very much 🙂
Grandmothers are so special. She was lucky to have you. 🙂
🙂
A lovely post and tribute to your grandmother.
Thank you! I hope she likes it (wherever she is) 🙂
Beautiful photos and a beautiful sentiment, I’m sure your grandmother is smiling down on you as you wander such a peaceful setting, thinking of her.
It is nice to think of people that you miss when walking in beautiful places. Thanks, Laura! 🙂
My condolences. It was thoughtful of you to remember her in such a way. As a photographer herself, I am sure she was most proud of you too.
Thanks, Donna. She would have loved your blog and photography – she inspires me to do better.
Very sorry to hear your sad news, EST. Lovely dedication. All the best, RH
Thank you RH! 🙂
So sorry to hear about your grandma, but photos are ace!
Thank you, I hope she would have liked them too. Life is getting back to normal now, my grandmother wasn’t one to let anything hold her back!
A lovely post Emma. You have your grandmother’s photography talent.
I hope the comb exchange and Myrtle work out well.
I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. How old was she?
Thanks, my grandmother was always young at heart I thought she’d be around forever, but all good things come to an end. On the other hand Myrtle and our new bees are doing, actually, too well!
Well I hope you are doing well during such a difficult time.
Haha, there’s no such thing as ‘too well’ when beekeeping is concerned!
The bees are a distraction although I foresee many evenings of making more brood frames ahead. How are your bees doing?
Emma,
As you know my business associate Bob Darlington and I have started a beekeeping business. Can I share this post,it’s just a video of how our bees are doing. In late April we installed 52 package bees in our Apiary. BTW, we are New Mexico Bees,LLC. Emma, have a wonderful rest of the week, and Happy Beekeeping!
Santiago Wallace
http://wallacefamilyapiary.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/new-mexico-bees-llc-progress-as-of-5142013/
Congratulations on your new beekeeping business, I’m sure it will be a buzzing success!
Emma,
I forgot to add the link: http://wallacefamilyapiary.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/new-mexico-bees-llc-progress-as-of-5142013/
And I’ll be sure to share the link on my Twitter soon!
Ah, another beautiful virtual walk through England. Thank you for taking the time to photograph, and like another commenter said, you did your grandmother proud.
Happy you enjoyed the virtual (bee) walk! 😉