Yeah. Breaking up. It is hard to do. An imker has a thing with his queens and working girls. The longer you keep them, the harder it is to take distance from them, let alone, get rid of them altogether. Getting rid of them is exactly what I did though. It had to happen because the hives were getting too heavy to lift. If one will keep bees properly, then there are rules. You have to look in every ten days to check on them and to take steps to prevent swarming, illnesses and so forth. The inspection is to determine the general condition of the colony. By doing this, one can always know what is going on and take steps to correct any negative findings on time. These measures are important no matter where you keep bees, but it is especially important in a municipal garden setting, where you have gardening members shoulder to shoulder, in a manner of speaking. Right then, the decision was made over a period of the last three months. It was very difficult and saddening, but I knew that I had to do it. The next question was…how? Getting rid of colonies at this time of year is difficult here. The spring and summer are the more normal periods. I made some telephone calls— no one interested. The Bride then thought of an acquaintance, made a call and, what do you think ? Her man was treating his bees for varroa this fall and he made a little mistake with the timing and there was a strong temperature rise and two colonies died. His wife said that it was meant to be— he lost two and now has a chance to buy two new ones for a very soft price. The man was interested in taking over my girls. We made an appointment. You pick up a colony after sundown so that all the bees are at home. I went to the lottie early and waited until the last moment. I could just barely see, but well enough to do my work. Foam rubber in the entrance split. Landing plank folded up and then tape over that so that no bees could escape into the man’s auto. That could be uncomfortable for him. Then for the most important thing: my parting conversation with them. It is a beekeepers thing. We speak to them to explain big changes like them going to another person and area. Also when a beekeeper dies, a colleague beekeeper has a conversation with them to explain that their keeper has died. It is drifty, but we all do it. For those who prefer the old version, perhaps you will sing along. I sang it the night and have been for a couple of days now. I just can’t get it out of my head. Breaking up with my girls is hard to do.
That was a sad story to read Sjoerd, but with a happy ending of a new home. The honour and respect paid to your girls is touching. What a great phone call your Bride made, and so lovely they are going to a new home where they will be cared for and appreciated. And.....now we have an Ear Worm....the song is stuck in our heads hahaha. I like the older version myself.
Cheers Mel. I really cannot express the sadness, but I know there are far more serious dramas. After a couple of days, I went to them to sling the honey. At the end of the day, we got a tour of their business. I got to see my old colonies and must say that they looked at ease. Sorry about that song. Hee, hee. I like all that guy’s songs. So easy to sing along with. They are pretty old, right? The first version matched my mood better, but I prefer the version at the bottom of the story as well.
Sjoerd, I love that you care completely for your Bees. They are living creatures who provide a sweet addition to so many things. You also reminded me that I must call my friend who buys raw organic honey, and delivers it to my door. I buy a gallon each time and usually give it to my children. Thank you for telling us about your Bee separation.
Thanks so much, GPs. It is just like gardening itself, I do the best I can in a thorough manner. When I began with bees it was because they were being destroyed with the liberal use of certain pesticides. I thought that in my small way, I could help build back up their numbers. It was a deeply interesting hobby. Sort of a bottomless pit of things to learn.
Sjeord you look after your bees very well and it had to be done. I like that song as well and the carpenters did a version.
Ta Loggie. Thanks for your sweet words. Thanks also for the music. I do not remember hearing this rendition.
I'ver got his slower version of that song on an mp3. I like to play it, as he did when he re-recorded it, starting off with the up-tempo intro. https://app.box.com/s/resgyegm2rxc2e5qsxksp9rfagv2im3w I've always liked Neil Sedaka, he was always an excellent songwriter. Some of his songs had an unusual construction and he could make good use of a key change halfway through.
