Hi! 

 I wanted to update you all about what’s going on with Emily’s Bees. 

I’ve not posted much through the Autumn and now all of a sudden winter is here. 

Much like my bees I’m a lot quieter and introspective during winter because the change in season means cold weather which affects by chronic pain and the lack of sunshine seems to affect my mood. If I’m not careful I find myself retreating inside much like my bees. However, unlike my bees I actually need to leave home for my social support and to keep happy and healthy.  One thing that has kept me going is playing board games with my friends (chosen family) of friends once a week. 

I know that S.A.D (or a seasonal affective disorder) can be a real problem for a lot of people and the change in seasons is also challenging for neurodivergent people like me because it means a change in routines which are so grounding and important for our executive function. 

Anyhow, back to the bees. . .

I have some sad news. 

I’ve lost one of my two colonies. My first colony of bees, with Queen Izzy have disappeared, most likely died.

Sometimes, and it’s not uncommon, a colony or hive will just abscond or disappear. This is different to when a colony might swarm in spring due to natural reproduction. 

At this time of year it means certain death for the bees to leave the safety and warmth of the hive. Colony collapse disorder remains a bit of an alarming mystery….The hive had a queen, plenty of stores of food and were safe. I don’t know what happened, but one day they just weren’t there. Ancient myths and folklore have documented this for centuries with ominous forboding and omens.

Where does this leave Emily’s Bees… Well I still have one colony and in the spring hopefully I will be able to rebuild my apiary and proceed with my plans. 

Talking of plans, these have also changed, because I may need to find a new permanent site for my bees and my vision moving forward.  You’ll remember I had to rescue the bees from a robbing attack in August, and they are in my garden… But they can’t stay there. 

  I loved having my Bees where they were in the North Herefordshire Countryside but my end goal included being able to let other people pay to come and visit the apiary and have a hands-on experience for themselves in some shape or form and maybe even provide educational opportunities for homeschoolers.

However, the lovely landowner, isn’t keen on the idea of visitors in his orchard (his prerogative) so it seems like in the long-term I will need to rethink my plans and find a new, more suitable  and adaptable home where I have scope to develop educational and wellbeing focused beekeeping  opportunities.

It’s hard not to feel sad about losing a hive. I loved and cared for my bees and they brought me so much joy. Having my plans and  dreams, which I was so excited about, derailed has knocked off a little of my shine at a time of year when I already find it that much harder to find the blue skies. 

I’m ok, I’m resilient and determined but I felt it was important to be honest and show that life is not always blue skies, sunshine and honey harvests. It’s also important to normalize talking about not being okay.

In the meantime I’m having a go at making mead with the honey left in the abandoned hive…  So I guess every cloud has a silver (or honey flavoured) lining.

(Concept art for Mead Label)