July 21st was an opportunity to visit James’s apiary, he of honey ice cream fame! Captain Ken and Delectable David led us through.

Starting the smoker, which way’s the wind blowing?

Do you think the bees will see us in camouflage?

The first hive we looked in was apparently feisty in June, did this make us a little hesitant? There were lots of bees lined up along the entrance here, and returning bees were spotted with bright red-orange pollen in their pollen baskets, can you find her?

Isn’t it lovely when you take the roof off and all the bees pop their heads up to see what’s going on?

Starting through the Commercial hive, frame 1 was a National, with a good stretch of brace comb underneath that bees have created to use the space.

This photo isn’t about us, there’s a bee walking across the phone camera here—can you spot her?

Bottoms up. Bees head-down in the cells gorging on honey as we had smoked them.

Plenty of bees, plenty of pollen, plenty larvae.

The aim of the visit was about finding the queens and getting them marked. We had some success here. 2018 is red.

There was also lots of propolis, and in the hot weather this was somewhat soft and very sticky. This made the frames somewhat harder to lever out and grasp, especially with their short lugs. It slows down the inspection, and the bees were initially in a good temperament, but that didn’t last.

It's unfortunate that someone usually forgets their wellingtons.

The hard work was followed by a sumptuous high tea, with James’s honey ice cream as star player.