bees

  

One of my 2 hives, with jars of sugar syrup ready. Yumm

I'm so excited. I've been religiously feeding my 2 hives with a jar of sugar solution every week, but I only saw bees in 1 of the hives. I decided to add 2 jars to each hive this week, and this time saw bees in both. Yippee.

I managed to kill off my hives 3 winters ago, and am hoping I'll do better with these 2 colonies that I got last spring. Hoping to keep on top of varroa as well

The top taken off the hive, revealing the
upside down now empty sugar syrup jar

My bees crawling out after I took the jar off.  Next moment
they were all attacking me for opening their home.
I was prepared with full on protective suit though!

This rhododendron normally flowers in January, but always struggles.  it didn't bother to try this year, but is now giving us its full glory while the daffodils are still coming out and the snowdrops are slowly dying off.

The chickens are in the dog house at the moment.  They have been laying eggs in the farmer's barn opposite Barbara's house, so they are kept in their pen till midday when they have all laid again.  To their disgust.
Damon is away sailing to Arisaig with a friend, well motoring really s there's little wind.  I don't know why he put the door of the dishwasher back on so that I couldn't open the dishwasher any more. Was it so I had to wash up by hand? I've taken it off and put it back on myself now!
Renate

Torr na Locha

I'm sat outside Torr na Locha in a t-shirt enjoying beautiful spring weather on Mull. I'm over here for a couple of days tidying up a few bits before the start of the main season but currently watching the 5 ducks swimming about on the pond and finding it difficult to persuade myself to go back inside

Damon


Posted from my phone

Deer

Red deer that Renate came across whilst out for a walk, Loch Etive is in the background, Bonawe House is around the other side of the hill on the left. The hill and small island on the other side of the water are those opposite the house.

I didn't have to go so far, this roe deer has been living in the garden all winter, there is usually a group of 4 or 5 and they are quite tame, just keeping their distance a bit like sheep, but happy to have you around. Not sure what damage to the trees and shrubs they are doing but I suspect w won't be getting as many flowers as normal!

Beautiful weather at moment

What a lovely day to be out yesterday


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

West Highland Way

We finally got round to walking a section of the West Highland Way on Sunday.  We left our car at Tyndrum and caught the bus at 9 am down to Inverarnan, just north of Loch Lomond.  We set off and our first stretch was along the river (see picture), on a frosty spring morning.  We weaved our way through the open woodland along the river, seeing many spectalcular river runs, until we went under the road through a tunnel and popped out above the road.  It was a stretch through farmland next with some cattle, and what looked like calves that were too young to be from last year.  When we reached Crianlarich we stayed higher up through dense pine woodland with glowing red paths.

Next we went past the Priory of St Fillans, who brought Christianity to these parts in the 8th Century, and the priory buildings were blessed by our most famous king, Robert the Bruce.  St Fillan's staff is in the Edinburgh Museum, so we need to seek it out next time we go to Edinburgh. We reached Tyndrum with the Green Welly Shop and a hot chocolate after 20 km and 5 hours.

We were most impressed with the quality of the walking and surroundings and have now set ourselves the task to walk the whole West Highland way in day walks with the children.
Renate