Sustainable beekeeping, chickens, and cake
I have taken the decision to shelve all my face-to-face courses as the uncertainty continues, and the possibility attendees--or me--needing to self-isolate on an ad hoc basis as the lockdown lifts makes trying to plan dates rather a nightmare, and that's before the social distancing measures that need to be in place. I am very … Continue reading Vlog!
Brief diversion from the bees as the rain poured down! Since the coronavirus outbreak, I have been selling my eggs directly to people and I reuse old egg boxes. I was given some brush pens for my birthday, and a book on modern calligraphy and lettering: The pens are a make called BAOKE and I … Continue reading Modern calligraphy
With the current COVID-19 situation continuing to play out, I am unlikely to be able to offer workshops and courses despite this being the start of the beekeeping year. Thankfully the weather has started to improve here in the UK, and my remaining colonies are now collecting masses of willow pollen, and flying well when … Continue reading Upcoming courses and workshops
I ordered an extra tarpaulin for me when I purchased the ones for the West Rise Reptile Zone. I had a mind to re-cover my chicken runs, and as the tarps were an absolute bargain - being slightly discoloured due to storage - I decided they would be perfect for the job. I have improvised … Continue reading A bit more tarp action…
On Thursday I went along to an evening walk and talk with friends, Vicky of Starnash Farmhouse, and Andy of Almost Off Grid, at Tablehurst Farm to have a guided tour of their poultry unit by Robin and some of the volunteers. I find biodynamic farming absolutely fascinating, and love the general ethos of keeping … Continue reading Biodynamic birds
I hatched some chicks this year, as I wanted to rear some replacement pullets and I had a few people needing cockerels, plus I had a couple of Sketching Chickens classes booked, and chicks are always fun to watch and draw. They remind me so much of little dinosaurs as they run around the garden … Continue reading Boys and Girls
This was my third attempt at running this course as the weather was exceedingly unhelpful on previous occasions! Therein lies the problem with organising any outside event in the UK... The reason I run these courses is that as well as a beekeeper, I am an artist, and run a life drawing class each Monday … Continue reading Sketching Chickens