second story extension. now or later?

[philinacoma]

Well, I robbed the ferals yesterday. Had a bit of a drama though. They hive was sitting on top of a table and after we had a bit of rain last week the legs had started to sink. One side more than the other. A bit of frantic work trying to right the table and put some wood under the legs. Lift up one side, the other side drops and me with the only bee suit in the house.

Got that sorted but it took a while and the occupants were getting edgey. One got me through the suit on my sholder. My vision was a bit impaired as I was sweating like a Queenslander  :-D in the struggle and a lot of it was running into my eyes.

Even with the smoke they were not happy with me robbing them of 5 frames. One of them followed me to the other side of the house and got me on my arm, again through the suit. I didn't take any out off the Italians as they were added later and they had not filled up the honey super. I did see that they are using it for some brood too in the lower 3rd. Next time I open them up I'm thinking of putting an excluder on.

Well I got about 10 litres out of my 5 frames and the tin lids both took honey sandwiches to school for lunch. They were very happy with the output.

I ended up hiring an extracter for the weekend. Plastic and well worn.

[Lone]

Phil #1, you are a good story teller.  It was almost like being there, watching the action through the screen door with the rest of the family.  I think you are exaggerating about the sweat, though...I watered the garden with my excess sweat tonight.

Getting much rain, Westmar?  Don't worry about the distances..a Queenslander can go 480km just to get the morning paper  :)  Hey - I saw drone brood in my strongest hive a couple of days ago, the first time in about 18 months.  There is not much action in the honey department, but at least there is some foraging time between storms this year. 

Lone - survival not extensions

[philinacoma]

I'm hoping to move the ferals in the  morning. I (we) finally found someone willing to foster them for a while so when they come back they go into a spot that isn't going to sink, isn't going to be taken over by plants and hopefully have better access. The current spot unfortunately has all of the above. Wan't like that when they moved in.

My love and kisses was only about 5 metres away watching the action. I think she is starting to become a little more brave. And Lone, I wasn't joshing about the sweat in the eyes. It stung! I'm going to have to go Pat Cash and get a sweat band to keep it out of my eyes next time. I was so tempted to open up the vail and wipe my eyes... Just the opening those ferals were waiting for! They was real cranky.

PS. the previous post should have read 'sangas' not 'sandwiches'. I'll try not to let that happen again. 

Sounds like your better hive is starting to pick up. Goodluck.

[westmar]

hi
   good see muphylaw still about phil,thought these thing only happen to me.us bit old Jackie how mate keep the sweet out the eyes.lone i had 94ml her for February .

[Lone]

PS. the previous post should have read 'sangas' not 'sandwiches'. I'll try not to let that happen again

It's interesting that the forums automatically change words for the Agitator..I wonder why sandwiches didn't automatically convert to sangas?  Anyway, I bet the little tin lids were pleased as punch with them. Phil - I think your wife should be starting to stick her head in the hives by now.  (Though it's always funny when the wife of the beekeeper who has hives here comes along and sits in the car with the window all the way up!)  Are you leaving your hives in Melbourne or taking them out bush?

Westmar, I'll try to remember to total the rainfall for you from the chart. 

Loneinacoma

[philinacoma]

They're still in Melb. the ferals are now holidaying in Brunswick one street back from the tulla overlooking Moonee Valley nag track. (your old stomping ground isn't it Lone?)

I'm glad I robbed them on the weekend instead of putting a 3rd storey on them. They were heavy enough. I had to carry them about 7m over uneven ground to get to the trolley. I'm going back there tomorrow night to tuck them in.

[Lone]

Hello Phil,

Yes, I have the plane ticket to go back to my old stomping ground in a couple of weeks, and stay with the folks in Moonee.  I shall have to check that your bees are not thievin any nectar from my father's tree dahlias or lilly pillies.

Lone

[philinacoma]

 :) Lovely, my wife was concerned that there wouldn't be any food available down there for them!

Hmm, a couple of days down here and you'll have experienced a whole year. Summer, winter, spring and autumn...

[Lone]

Told ya she's a fair dinkum beek!  When's her birthday?  You could paint a hive pink and give it to her.

I still have the beanies and gloves packed from the last trip to Vic.

Lone