Fields of Gold

Standing high on the hill, the landscape is a patchwork of fields - punctuated by golden rapeseed.  This glorious sight signals the stealthy approach of Midsummer, now only six weeks away.  Visually stunning, the farmer's crop of choice is not popular with the beekeepers among us.  Our bees will travel up to four miles a day, the close proximity of these glowing flowers will tempt them to travel to collect the rape-nectar.  The resulting honey sets so hard and fast that is becomes impossible to spin from the frames unless it's extracted as soon as the industrious little bees cap the comb.  We will need to be vigilant whilst these glowing fields inject sunshine into the surrounding countryside. Regular hive checks will be imperative - In this house it's not 'Fire up the quatro' but 'Reach for the bee suits!'