Lucy and Segunda came over last Saturday.
It was harvest time, and they’re in charge of making all the ‘stings garden honey that gets grown out the back.
Truth be told I suspect the the bees might have a thing or two to say about who does what, but you know what I mean.
The bees, just in case you’re interested, get to feed on camellia in the autumn, daisy and dandelion in the summer, sage, star jasmine, and a few roses, plus orange blossom, lemon, and peach, plum and cherry blossom in the spring. Quite the buffet.
Don’t ask how, but last year the honey seemed to have quite a distinct liquorice taste.
There’s lots more to feed on if they want to go on a bit of a tiki tour, which they often do. So half their luck really.
Which is why I was expecting good things from my three storied bee apartment, and the occupants, who were living rent free at the back of my property. Since I was about to knick a third of their honey output, I figured it all evened out.
Again, the bees might have a point of view on this, and while the harvest is on they can get a bit toey, I’ve only ever been stung once.
The summer has been ordinary on the Heretaunga plain, and as bees don’t work in the rain, production was way down on last year.
The growers will tell you it’s the price you pay for going into business with God.
Wasn’t a total washout though - got the camera out, always good to bung off a couple of shots. There’s a couple more here.
You’ll have to wait a little longer for the honey.
