Dawn, I’m not sure I needed to hear that story TODAY OF ALL DAYS ...... HA HA
HA HA HA !!!! Thanks for sharing though, my eyes are full of tears from
laughing so much ha ha.
As Paul say’s .... IRONICALLY I’m about to move a hive from Bucks to
Monmouthshire tomorrow. I’ll have to split the hive this afternoon and go back
to seal them inside tonight when it’s dark. I have some trusty tape to tape up
any holes and vents made to give them a little air AND some sturdy ratchet
straps to old them steady.... BUT I CERTAINLY WON’T be opening the back door of
the van until we get to our destination after hearing your tale lol. Great to
know they went back home after their tizzy. Looking forward to meeting your
hero son at one of our Oxnats meetings in the future after his baptism of fire
so to speak lol.
Well done both of you and .... wish me luck ha ha ha
Ann x
From: Dawn Gosling
Sent: Monday, April 8, 2019 10:00 AM
To: oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; Angela ; Ali C ; Denise Rawlings ; Fiona Stallard
; clairecox07 ; David Gosling ; Den Payne ; Mandy Knight ; Santa eglite ; Helen
Lashbrook ; Daniel Hart ; Pat Hollyoake ; Pam Hamblin ; David Johnstone ;
kandjgray@xxxxxxxxxxx ; Pat ; Pauline ; peterbeverley ; Phil Sharman ; Derek
Gane
Subject: [oxnatbees] Bees have arrived!!
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
