Well, on Saturday my son and I drove to Gloucester to collect 2 full
apiaries and loads of empty new hives Unfortunately, one of the apiaries
was not sealed well and we had to leave for another time so we took the
national and the bees inside. We felt sure they were secure and covered in
an old duvet cover and duct tape they were tied to the van. We were told to
drive without squashing the queen.
My firefighter son drove us home to Banbury . He drove ,as only well
trained emergency drivers can, smooth and slow and even my glasses on the
dashboard did not move when he took the roundabouts.
All was well until.... one mile to the M40 exit to Banbury son say, "Mum
there's a bee in the cab" - we decided after much deliberation that this
had flown in whilst we were loading up the other end. "It might have flown
in from outside." I proffered , and received a look that said, "Think that
one through mother."
Half mile to the M40 exit son says, "Mum! there's another bee in the cab!"
I let that one out of the window - sorry little fella.
"What if they have all got out?" asked son
"No, they'll be fine" I replied.
On arrival at my home, son decides to open back of van to check …….. out
swarmed thousands of bees. "Oh, bugger" I said as he gently closed the
door. "I have bee suits inside the house. Ah, ...I have left my keys in
your car at the car hire place." So I pop next door to get key from
neighbour.... they aren't in!!!
Meanwhile, a family are walking up the hill towards the van and its
contents seeping out through the van door.
Son has now got a ladder to my bedroom window, and in true Fireman fashion
gets into my house. We find the bee suit and he goes out to try and sort it
out.
"Do you know a Bee Keeper?" My son asks me. " Loads," I replied " but only
one close and I don't know him".
"Just go and knock on his door ask him if he the Beekeeper and can he help"
I walk up to his house, knock on door, no one in.
Meanwhile ….. family have now walked past the van and made some unhappy
comment about the bees and a man in a bee suit. This is clearly not
working and we now have a few thousand unhappy bees.
"Can you phone someone Mum? "
"The ones I know are at a meeting today"
I try the beekeeper we got bees from - no reply
"OK Im calling the local beekeepers association"
After some truly patient and calming advice son tells me to make sure he is
well covered as the beekeeper says as long as they cant sting you, you will
be find. So we dress him up and cover exposed areas with duct tape. Son
appears to be getting a bit nervous...
All I can remember from Paul's course at this time is "don't let the bees
know your are frightened" and I impart this to son. He cuddles me and walks
towards his doom.....
"Mum" they gone back into the hive"
"Oh, bless -aren't they clever!"
I go and get my hat and veil whilst son lifts full apiary (on his own) out
of the van.
Together we carry the bees to their final destination. Son starts to
uncover them and eventually they all fly out .
We have coffee...………
We go back and watch these wonderful creatures fly around and start
foraging.... after all they have been through they did a reckie of their
new environment and ( sadly) remove the bees that didn't make it.
All I can say is I have a hero for a son.... and after all that he now
wants to be a beekeeper.!!!
Dawn x
PS - still need some advice chaps
