On a very wet Bank Holiday Monday we did our honey harvest for the year (with help from our friends). Unfortunately we lost the weaker of the two hives last winter, and while we hoped the other hive would swarm so that we could repopulate the second hive, it didn’t happen. Maybe next year.

We had a good harvest regardless, while leaving enough to keep the bees fed all winter. Everyone pitches in, and while we all end up pretty sticky by the end of it, it’s very satisfying filling up the pots and jars, ready to eat and give away over the next year.

Watching the bees clean out the drum, once we’re finished with it, is possible my favourite part of the whole thing. (Not counting honey on toast!)