If At First

An introductory course for would-be beekeepers is a bit like trying out for the SAS. Our club spend a day telling them about the cost, the complexity, the uncertainty, the difficulties, the discomfort, the risks. At one point today, we told them that it becomes more difficult for the first two or three years but should get easier after that! Anaphylactic shock was mentioned several times, along with a story about one of our members being air lifted to hospital. The final presentation of the day was titled "What Can Go Wrong?". End on a high note? I think we are proof against any risk of mis-selling (unlike the motor finance industry, I read)

The initiates were invited to return tomorrow with a promise that there will not be any parking, because the village sports ground is given over to a lurcher racing festival (sic). They will be taught to assemble frames, which they are promised would ensure they hit their thumbs and fingers with a hammer. The weather will be cold and wet, which means they do not actually get to see any bees. We charge people a fee for this experience. Per ardua ad apis

This pond was new last spring, and we have never tried to maintain a pond before, so this is our first time watching one emerge from a winter that included at least one
-15 degree (C) frost. The water buttercup is flaunting its stuff, some water soldiers are lurking in the rather murky depths - they should float to the surface when it warms up. There are hints of greening from parts that I thought were dead. I have seen a few water beetles darting about, but little else. I'm keeping mind and eyes open

We design education and training to try to shortcut the process of learning. It is certainly worthwhile. In the end though, we learn - as people have always learned - by having a try, getting it wrong, and trying again