Tribulations of a beekeeper

They say all experience is grist to the mill of a writer. This year I set up as a beekeeper, after doing a course with Bradford Beekeepers, and despite a European Foulbrood alert at the apiary my colony came from, resulting in an Inspection (mine were fine), the loss of half my bees in a swarm thanks partly to my inexperience and partly to my holiday schedule, plus some fairly poor weather, I have actually got 6 pounds of honey off.

I imagine my next play or novel is going to feature beekeeping - never let a learning experience go to waste! Next year I'm thinking of taking up lion taming . . .