Backyard Beekeeping Blog 2016
The final night of 2015 was spent with the Educator, Jeff (the
Kabinet Maker) and his wife Bec along with Bec’s family Jim & Kathy (Dad & Mum)
Emma and Sean (sister and brother in law) and the delightful three-year-old
Zara. A tumultuous and troubled 2015 for many parts of the world closed for us
with a (relatively) peaceful New Year’s Eve enjoyed with family and friends.
The bliss of Bendalong!
A Scoot to and a swim at Washerwomans Beach (Washies) followed
a leisurely Bendalong breakfast on the first day of 2016. On the way to the
calm beach we passed by some of the slow moving revellers from the New Years
Eve. Cool water and some body surfing followed by a Vitamin D session on the
beach were a perfect start to the year!
The Apiarist read and relaxed while the Educator went
followed Jeff & Bec for a Back Beach swim. Before long the whole clan had
reunited for a leftover extravaganza supplemented by Tuross prawns for lunch.
The afternoon saw more reading, talking, and a late afternoon
swim where we found slightly weedy water and a diminishing crowd diminishing
crowd. Perhaps the late night fireworks had taken their toll or maybe it was
the North Easterly breeze that had returned the beach to the less populated
state. Either way it was gooood!
Following a quick but tasty (pod machine) coffee we headed
off in search of the piscatorial warriors. Jim had had success in capturing
some very large beach worms (ideal bait) and a feed of fish was in the offing. Northern
end of Washies was the chosen spot and we arrived ready to watch some of the
action. There was action and there were fish caught (and returned) but the
Kabinet Maker’s effort was memorable!!!
Chatty family dinner then TV with interesting reception and
an early night.
Great start to 2016. Year of the Saint!!!
Bendi D2
Awoke to the barest hint of a slightly misty morning although
by the time others appeared Number 8 Cherry Street was bathed in full sun.
While most of our friends busied themselves with preparations for their trips
north we had a quick piece of toasted beekeeper bread (and Perkins blend honey
of course) that the Apiarist washed down with the able assistance of Earl Grey
whilst the Educator went Green.
A walk followed the piece of toast although the Apiarist’s
Bendy walks are made a lot easier for him and more satisfying for the Educator
with the assistance of a scooter. His ability to walk is still there and with
the assistance of JC is improving; the distance of those walks is still not
huge. Having access to the Bendy scooter has been a win/ win. The Educator gets
the opportunity for some real exercise and the Apiarist gets to have a look at
most of the nearby sights.
Returned to finish a leisurely breakfast while Jim and Cathy
prepared to head to Newcastle while Bec, Sean, Emma and Zara packed and departed
for Sydney. Their presence had made for a fabulous celebration of the beginning
of 2016.
After we said our goodbyes the Apiarist and the Educator
headed to Washies for a swim. Even though the water temperature is slightly
warmer than Narooma it certainly has the ability to refresh! Suitably
invigorated we walked/ scooted past the last of the New Years revellers to
watch Jeff (the Kabinetmaker) and about 20 others surf at Back Beach. Bendy is
a remarkable destination in that it has beaches that satisfy the needs of all
abilities!!!
Home to satisfy our hunger pangs and an afternoon of
reading, writing, tidying and a little bit of watching the Women’s Big Bash. I
won’t even try to explain what the Women’s Big Bash is except to say it has
something to do with cricket. Nice to see the game being played on the MCG.
Blue skies were being replaced by high cloud giving the
indication the weather forecasters were going to be correct and the run of
sunny days was going to end. Oh well the garden needs the rain. Headed out for
another scoot/ walk/ run and as the afternoon finished we watched Jeff and
about 40 others surf at Back Beach. While there were some great surfers riding
the waves the humans were outdone by the ten or so dolphins that joined them
during the afternoon session.
Home for delightful South Coast wines, Cambrewarra Estate
“Amanda” Verdelho and Coolangatta Estate Savagnin, to accompany dinner of
barbequed freshly caught Whiting served with pasta. This was followed by
watching some of the Blokes Big Bash, again I have no words to describe Big
Bash except to say it has something to do with cricket and that the 80,000
people who were watching at the MCG loved it!
