Not everything in beekeeping fits neatly into a management category. This section is for the wider conversation: interviews with beekeepers whose experience and methods are worth hearing about, reflections on the culture and contradictions of the beekeeping world, and the occasional long look at where the craft is heading and why. It includes pieces on how beekeeping advice is made and how to evaluate it critically — a recurring theme here, given how quickly new ideas can sweep through the community without much scrutiny.
If you want to understand the thinking behind the practical posts elsewhere on this site, this is a good place to look. Beekeeping is more interesting when you engage with the ideas and the arguments, not just the techniques. There are plenty of places online to find out how to do things; this category is more concerned with why.
At this time of the year the issue of tax raises it’s grim visage, with online filing of returns having to be submitted by 31 January. I have just been sorting my tax return out, and to distract me from the pain I had a look at taxonomy, which is slightly less complex than tax, … Read more
One of the great pleasures that I derive from writing my book “Interviews with Beekeepers” is meeting the people that work with honey bees. Everybody that I have talked to on my travels so far clearly loves their work, and they are always willing to share their knowledge and experience with me. Bee workers must … Read more
In preparation for my latest interview with another legend of beekeeping I decided to have a hair cut. Samli’s is a gents hairdressing establishment run by an engaging 59 year old from North Africa who I have known for about 27 years. He always shakes his customers warmly by the hand, greeting each with an … Read more
I only have a small group of friends, most of whom really started out as my wife’s friends and I adopted them, but there is one chap who I found all by myself. He is the only person mad enough to have asked me to be the “best man” at his wedding many years ago … Read more
The great thing about me keeping bees is that my apiary is in the beautiful Cheshire countryside. It means that I get away from the city. I don’t entirely hate cities, and apparently the particular part of Manchester where I live is supposed to be very desirable, don’t you know. However, the fact remains that … Read more
A while ago I ordered one of those DNA test kits because I was very interested to see what they would make of my walrus heritage. I used the Genographic Project which is far from the cheapest, but I am a big fan of National Geographic and wanted to support the Genographic Legacy Fund. Some … Read more
As Monday mornings go, this isn’t a bad one. There is a chill in the air which seems only right given the time of year, but the sun is shining and I am settling down to write something for my humble wee blog. Well, it’s a bee blog actually, but it’s also wee, and it … Read more
I am recovering from a mild bout of walrus flu, which is a bit like man flu but heavier. I still ache like I’m 80, but today the sun is shining and life is for living, so what to do? I decided to wash my cars. This is therapy for me. Yes, I’m weird, but … Read more