Manly Vale

Somewhat of a break for the “Back Yard Beekeeper” this week.
Instead of making a start on breeding queens or weeding and planting the vegetable garden it was a return to Manly Vale.

Well according to Robbie Burns quote “the best laid schemes o' mice an' men aft gang a-gley”. This was the case for us this week. There was an important reason for us leaving Paradise (Narooma) for Sydney and it was to spend final time with Julie’s Dad.

Doug has been a wonderful husband, a fabulous Dad, a grand Grandad and a great Great Grandad and apart from all those a good bloke. We all owe him a lot! What else do you need to say – nothing!!

Before leaving Paradise we had enough time to continue the weeding and start some planting –corn, potatoes, carrots, beets and basil. If we get some rain and can beat the birds/ rabbits/ bandicoots we may move towards some self-sufficiency or at the very least we will eat vegies that are fresh and unpolluted in any way.

Bees seemed to be enjoying a great start to spring with Spotted Gum still flowering and the honeyflow being helped with the spring blossoms from Pittosporum and River Peppermint. Swarming may be a problem but I’d prefer to deal with too many bees than too few. One big bonus will be that conditions that lead to swarming are also ideal for queen breeding but more of that in coming weeks. Swarming may be a problem if I managed to move a hive or two to the Manly Vale backyard.

A nice bonus with our Sydney trips has been the opportunity to see our kids. This gave a welcome break from more trying times and seeing Jeff back in the huddle with a football team again added to the pleasure. Maybe next year his results will be slightly better, none the less it’s good to see that he can remember how to play.

Returned home after a stop at Bendalong where we were entertained by the locals.