We were off to see our swarm collector’s apiary. What a treat. The bee flags were out to guide people in, and it was well worth finding this apiary.

Captain Ken and Loveable Lyndon led two groups around the hives

exploring and deciphering when a cast had set off by noting the ages of the queen cells left behind.

Watching queens hatch,

requeening hives with a tin-foil-covered queen cell to avoid any pre-hatch in-hive murder.

This was fascinating stuff, you needed to be here.

There were lots of hives in different stages, and fascinating stories behind how they might have been rescued, water cooling trials on the hives, and probably the most placid and good tempered bees around.

Some people escaped without even wearing full kit.

Round off the sunshine day with cakes and strawberries and cream. What could be better?