[dangolding]

OK, not sure if anyone is going to be interested in this, but we're about to start keeping bees and I've recently enrolled in bee school (all in French, but hey ho - I've got a dictionairy!!!)

Saturday was the first lesson and as it was bl**dy freezing, we had a theory lesson.

The topic of the day was about all the diseases that bees get and what was reassuring, in a way, was that all the ailments in the "Beekeeping for dummies" book happen over here (as the book is american biased I wasn't so sure)

There was also huge debate about the effect of pesticides used by sunflower farmers (this area of France produces 90% of France's sunflower oil) on bees.

Everyone in the school wanted to know about organic alternatives to the medications and pesticides which was really encouraging (made me feel normal - ish   )

What was quite astonashing though was the age range of those enrolled - everywhere from 17 to 80 and there really was an equal age spread.

One of the students is actually an apple farmer who wants to keep bees as a more natural way of increasing production - it's encouraging to know that (a) he's as clueless as me and (b) even though he is a commercial grower he *wants* to use traditional methods.

After 2 hours of solid French (although there was another English couple there) my brain was fried and although we didn't get to play with any bees (we've all purchased "training hives") I still left on a high and can't wait for the next lesson in 3 weeks.

[poultrygeist]

Sounds brilliant !

We holidayed in your neck of the woods (Angouleme area) a few years ago and came across quite a few hives during walks in the woods. Made me want to try it but not practical at the mo.

I presume it will improve your French at the same time.


Rob

[jack russell]

sounds great i think i am going to give this a serious look at this year

if ive got a smal hive no one will know  :shock: will they

[babe]

The topic of the day was about all the diseases that bees get .

wow.. i never knew bee's got ill. keep us up to date. (but in english please, my french is really really bad)

[mumsy]

if ive got a smal hive no one will know  :shock: will they

Only if you tell us        

[jack russell]

if ive got a smal hive no one will know  :shock: will they

Only if you tell us        

you lot are ok to tell,its beggers who run the site  

[Jellyhead]

The orchard where I take my dogs for a walk (gorgeous plums in September) had bee hives put in situ last year to help pollinate the trees. Twas a lovely sound but stressful trying to keep the dogs away There are some beautiful bees out here, I particularly like the gihuge purpley black ones, they dont sting apparently but they scare the s**t out of you when they dive bomb from out of nowhere :oops:  :shock:      

[poultrygeist]

It'd be the spiders that would be the problem. But then I guess you've got the lizards to eat them.
Food chains are wonderful things.  

Rob

[buzzybee]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.
I have also been to bee school! Had great time, learnt a lot ( all in English, thank goodness) and have now been keeping bees for two years.
It is a fantastic hobby and quite addictive. I only ever planned to have 2 hives but last year ended up with 11. Thankfully went into winter with just 4 (rehomed the rest) and all are looking strong and healthy now - fingers crossed for a good season. Best of luck and enjoy your new hobby.

[mdueal]

I've noticed lots of big dosy looking bumble bees about recently - are they looking to start new nests off?? I#d love to get into bees!

[Viv]

I am looking forward to your next post after your lessonto read more of your new venture  

[beki]

I'd love to do this in the future! Looking forward to hearing about the next instalment!  

[ck2day]

Lucky you dan, I would love to have a go at beekeeping. Don't think my husband would be very happy with me though.  Will have to put that one on the back burner for a while until he is feeling abit more co-operative.  Do keep us updated with how you get on.

[peggyprice]

So ... was going to post this question as a new thread, but found this previous thread (OK, Kizza?   ).

What do bees need?  I mean, in terms of space, facilities and attention?  I read somewhere that a back garden is perfectly feasible but they need a certain amount of 'flight path' out of the hive, can't remember anything more than that ...

And how's bee school going, Dan?  Have you graduated yet?

[blulagoo]

Just think how many bees you could keep!!!