Busy Bees

Easter Sunday was very very busy indeed, Monday, sadly, was a bit of a washout but the hardy folks were out complete with children in tow and one or two of our usual faces turned up. It's lovely to see old friends. One lovely lady shared with me a story about a young boy who had come home from school and told his mum he had learnt about a man with holes in his hands who had crucified the Easter bunny. Could this prompt a debate about the levels of education in British schools I wonder?

The Simnel Cake was a roaring success and having been sceptical it would sell, I actually had to bake a second. The Hot Cross Buns also sold like 'hot cakes' (sorry!) and it has been muted by his nibs that I could start making tea cakes... watch this space.

Anyway, today's hot news is, the bees have arrived. My gorgeous mate, Lizzie B, has placed two bee hives in the Renishaw Kitchen Garden each with its own colony of lovely friendly bees (well, you know friendly in the great scheme of things). The plan is that later this year the bees will have produced honey some of which will be for sale in the Renishaw shop.  Liz has only been keeping bees for a short time but has already won two prizes in country fairs for the quality of her honey.  Anyone fancy trying some from her other hives let me know and I'll see what I can do. Liz and I have been working furiously in the Kitchen Garden over the winter, pruning the fruit trees hoping to improve the general health of some very old trees. Visited the bees yesterday to welcome them and there is plenty of blossom up there for the them to be getting on with. I'm going to help Liz with the upkeep of the hives and am quite excited by it all, although just a little daunted by being quite so close to the bees, but they do have their little way of warning you that you've been there long enough, they bounce off you!

Bee seeing you!
Louise x