Robin Ellis

The Intrepids—Alice Frezouls and Meredith Wheeler are ready to go to work again.

Fearless and determined–covered from head to toe in case the bees get too excited.

Meredith employs her favourite tactic–singing to them to calm and reassure them they’re in friendly hands.

(Alice is politely doubtful that this makes a ha’peth of difference.)

I am reluctantly persuaded to accept the offer of protective clothing for my job as cameraman.

Subject not sure he wouldn’t rather get stung!

I’m soon glad I did, as the guardian bees launch their attack.

The experts set to work–

Alice using the more traditional way of calming–a smoke gun! In it she burns her special brew: burlap (jute), dried herbs and grasses with a dash of lavender water. heady stuff!

and discover a hive of activity!

I join the bees and the experts in the tomato patch to record the first recolte (harvest) of honey this year.

We are not expecting much. It has been the worst year we can remember for the seasonal crops that keep the bees busy.

The sunflowers–usually approaching flowering time now, ready to show off their glory for the cameras covering the Tour de France–are in their infancy. Green shoots barely above the ground.

The Judas tree enjoyed a brief blossoming in April and the false Acacia. There was a buzzing overhead of happy workers happily employed.

Little since then.

Alice predicts there will be “treasure” in the hive, but how much?

She weighs and surveys the cadres (honeycombs) and predicts two to three kilos of honey–under the circumstances, “pas mal!”

showing off some “treasure”

They even allow me to hold the trophy for a photo!